Coursera

Extinctions: Past, Present, & Future (Coursera)

Offered by Emory University,

This course introduces you to the five mass extinctions of the pre-human past, their causes and significance to the history of life on earth, and the current mass extinction happening during our time. We’ll also explore the history of paleontology and geological study and review the key players that influenced the science today.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Regardless of your familiarity with the topic, you'll get portable handouts, lively demonstrations, and quizzes that bridge and enhance your knowledge.

What You Will Learn

Summarize extinctions as an important part of the history of life.
Identify the probable causes of mass extinctions in the geologic past (before humans).
Compare and contrast the Big Five mass extinctions with human-influenced extinctions.
Evaluate historical lessons and current trends to predict and prevent extinctions of the future.

Syllabus

WEEK 1: Introduction to Extinctions: Getting Started with the End
WEEK 2: Human Awareness of Extinctions: A History
WEEK 3: Mass Extinctions of the Pre-Human Past
WEEK 4: Extinctions of Pre-History & Near-Present (Pleistocene Epoch & Late Holocene Epoch)
WEEK 5: Extinctions Since European Colonization & Going into the Future

Go to Class

MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Coursera

University of Pennsylvania

Greek and Roman Mythology (Coursera)

Humanities

Myths are traditional stories that have endured over a long time. Some of them have to do with events of great importance, such as the founding of a nation. Others tell the stories of great heroes and heroines and their exploits and courage in the face of adversity. Still others are simple tales about otherwise unremarkable people who get into trouble or do some great deed. What are we to make of all these tales, and why do people seem to like to hear them? This course will focus on the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, as a way of exploring the nature of myth and the function it plays for individuals, societies, and nations. We will also pay some attention to the way the Greeks and Romans themselves understood their own myths.

Nov 16th 2026

5-12 Weeks

History Greece Art History

Coursera

Nanjing University

Chinese Culture and Contemporary China (Coursera)

Humanities History

This course of Chinese Culture and Contemporary China will explore the foundations of Chinese civilization and the dimensions of Chinese culture. It will pay particular attention to the relationship between Chinese culture and the present-day life of the Chinese people and to the different elements of the culture which are under the present social structures, belief systems, literature, arts, customs, etc. The course aims at providing students with a deeper knowledge of Chinese culture, thus enabling them to better understand China.

Nov 16th 2026

5-12 Weeks

History China Chinese Culture

Coursera

Tel Aviv University

The History of Modern Israel – Part I: From an Idea to a State (Coursera)

Humanities History

How did the State of Israel come to be? How is it that an idea, introduced in 19th century Europe, became a reality? And how does that reality prevail in the harsh complexities of the Middle East? Presented by Professor Eyal Naveh, with additional units from Professor Asher Sussers' "The Emergence of the Modern Middle East" course, This course will take you on a journey through the history of Modern Israel. In this 1st part of the course we will explore: How did the 19th century idea of a Jewish state become a reality? So the next time you hear about Israel in the news, you will be informed enough about the history of this area to comprehend the many sides and narratives that interact to shape the complex reality of Israel today.

Nov 16th 2026

3 Weeks

History Holocaust Middle East

Coursera

Macquarie University

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education for Teachers (Coursera)

Education Social Sciences

Today’s learners need to know what artificial intelligence (AI) is, how it works, how to use it in their everyday lives, and how it could potentially be used in their future. Using AI requires skills and values which extend far beyond simply having knowledge about coding and technology. This course is designed by teachers, for teachers, and will bridge the gap between commonly held beliefs about AI, and what it really is. AI can be embedded into all areas of the school curriculum and this course will show you how. This course will appeal to teachers who want to increase their general understanding of AI, including why it is important for learners; and/or to those who want to embed AI into their teaching practice and their students’ learning.

Nov 16th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Education Artificial Intelligence Creative

Coursera

Yale University

Journey of the Universe: The Unfolding of Life (Coursera)

Humanities

Journey of the Universe weaves together the discoveries of the evolutionary sciences together with humanities such as history, philosophy, art, and religion. The course draws on the Emmy-award winning film, Journey of the Universe, and the book from Yale University Press. Journey explores cosmic evolution as a creative process based on connection, interdependence, and emergence. It examines a range of dynamic interactions in the unfolding of galaxies, Earth, life, and human communities. It investigates ways in which we understand evolutionary processes and the implications for humans and our ecological future.

Nov 9th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Earth Life Universe

Coursera

Wesleyan University

The Ancient Greeks (Coursera)

Humanities History

This is a survey of ancient Greek history from the Bronze Age to the death of Socrates in 399 BCE. Along with studying the most important events and personalities, we will consider broader issues such as political and cultural values and methods of historical interpretation.

Nov 16th 2026

5-12 Weeks

History Greeks Greece

Coursera

The Museum of Modern Art

Modern Art & Ideas (Coursera)

Architecture & Design

Welcome to Modern Art & Ideas! This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about modern and contemporary art. Over the next five weeks, you will look at art through a variety of themes: Places & Spaces, Art & Identity, Transforming Everyday Objects, and Art & Society. Each week kicks off with a video that connects works of art from The Museum of Modern Art’s collection to the theme. You will hear audio interviews with artists, designers, and curators and learn more about selected works in the additional readings and resources.

Nov 16th 2026

5-12 Weeks

History Art Creativity

Coursera

The Museum of Modern Art

Seeing Through Photographs (Coursera)

Film & Audio

Although taking, sharing, and viewing photographs has become second nature for many of us, our regular engagement with images does not necessarily make us visually literate. This course aims to address the gap between seeing and truly understanding photographs by introducing a diversity of ideas, approaches, and technologies that inform their making. In this course you will look closely at 100 photographs from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, going behind the scenes of the Museum and into artist studios through original films and audio interviews.

Nov 16th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Image History Photography

Coursera

Duke University

Electric Industry Operations and Markets (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Environment

This is a two week course. In the first week you will learn about the core activities that the Industry executes to bring electricity to customers. We will review what electricity is, how it is generated, how it is transmitted, how it comes into buildings, and how consumption of electricity instantly feeds back on the transmission and generation of electricity.

Nov 16th 2026

2 Weeks

Sustainability Electricity Industry

Coursera

University of Michigan

Data Science Ethics (Coursera)

Data Science

What are the ethical considerations regarding the privacy and control of consumer information and big data, especially in the aftermath of recent large-scale data breaches? This course provides a framework to analyze these concerns as you examine the ethical and privacy implications of collecting and managing big data. Explore the broader impact of the data science field on modern society and the principles of fairness, accountability and transparency as you gain a deeper understanding of the importance of a shared set of ethical values.

Nov 16th 2026

4 Weeks

History Ethics Data Analysis

Coursera

University of Pennsylvania

Benjamin Franklin and His World (Coursera)

History

Welcome to Benjamin Franklin and His World! In this course, we explore the life of one of the United States’ most important historical figures. We examine Franklin’s early life growing up in the American colonies, his professional career as a printer and scientist, and his role in the American Revolution and the founding the United States as a new nation on the world stage.

Nov 16th 2026

4 Weeks

History United States US History

Coursera

University of London

Magna Carta and its Legacies: Freedom and protest (Coursera)

Humanities History

This course examines the roles that Magna Carta has played historically as well as the importance of Magna Carta today. It aims to equip students with a critical understanding of Magna Carta and its significance around the globe. Students will find out what Magna Carta is, how it came about, and why many believe that it remains one of the most significant documents in history.

Nov 16th 2026

5-12 Weeks

History Legacies Freedom