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Tel Aviv University

HOPE: What Makes Us Human

Tel Aviv University and Campus - the Israeli National Project for Digital Learning via edX

Overview

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Why breathe? Why breed? Why bleed? What justifies continuing, creating, and killing lives? Seeking answers to these thorny questions, Princeton University and Tel Aviv University have joined hands to create HOPE, a unique online journey into the heart of humanity – at both its brightest and its darkest, in private and in public. Turning to existentialism for guidance, HOPE (Human Odyssey to Political Existentialism) explores a dozen themes: Human/nature, identity & authenticity, freedom & liberty, reflection, happiness, death & dread, meaning, morality, truth & trust, God & religion, alienation & love, and finally – hope.

HOPE is driven by alarm – and aspiration. Alarm about a daily crime against humanity we all commit: Seeing people as puppets, pushed and pulled by forces that leave them “no choice.” Never have we been more powerful, and more prone to lose what made us so. We are an endangered species. Pandemics, climate change, environmental degradation, AI, nuclear weapons are some of the existential risks we face. But what is the point of saving human beings if we forget and forgo what it means to be human?

HOPE is a reminder, a wake-up call, and a guide, to what sets us apart and brings us together, as humans – seeking purpose for our special species. HOPE spans 44 short talks with numerous interactive, educational, tasks. It is the most media-rich online course today, including thousands of works of art, meticulously curated and with copyrights secured, including paintings, photographs, songs, as well as brief segments from tv shows and films. HOPE further introduces original animations, music clips, and videotaped interviews and panels. HOPE is profoundly interdisciplinary and requires no previous professional or academic knowledge – just curiosity about our humanity. It is suited to all ages and levels of education, and anyone can enroll. The course is offered, free of charge, in English, with captions in English, Hebrew and Arabic, and soon French and Spanish as well.

Launched in 2018, HOPE received instant global acclaim, awarded the best online course. Since then, HOPE consistently tops rankings of online courses, worldwide; it’s an all-time #1 online course in political science and philosophy, leading the social sciences and the humanities (among over 5000 courses). Tens of thousands of daily learners, academic (including leading universities) and non-academic, spanning all ages, from over 140 countries, partake in HOPE. You are very welcome to join them and begin your own journey.

Taught by

Uriel Abulof

Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 321 Class Central reviews

Start your review of HOPE: What Makes Us Human

  • This is a course with an innovative approach and a deep reflection. With a brilliant organization and exposition of topics, we are immersed in relevant issues of our time, analyzing concepts underlying our human existence. This course is a journey g…
  • Sorcha Crowley
    This course is one of the richest and most thought-provoking courses I've taken. It combines philosophy, arts and politics to challenge our notions on a variety of topics ranging from identity, love, hope to alienation, death, god and many more. The…
  • So much material to read and consider. I feel like I have a better understanding of humanity and life after considering the works of some of the greatest thinkers of all time!

    The final chapter, Hope, was particularly relevant to me as we studied the picture of Hope and heard the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. it is true that life and people bring disappointment which can be very hard to live with, and that hope and fear are two sides of the same coin. Yet it is hope that keeps us alive, working towards doing good.
  • Donny Astor
    I finished the course HOPE, offered by Princeton (Edx). I completed 30 other MOOC before taking this one. This was the Captsone of the previous 30 MOOC. The title of the course itself draws you in like a magnet. It has 2 Names ! 1.) HOPE. 2.)…
  • This course HOPE: Human Odyssey To Political Existentialism has ignited my interest in philosophy and political science. It has lead a path to self-discovery as well. Existentialism is finding meaning and purpose in this imperfect world. It is a phi…
  • It is a time-worth course but first, you would have to have little more than basic skills (if you are from non-English speaking nation) in English, especially in the field of philosophy. Overall, you can take time and learn this. If you don't understand, then repeat it.
  • Denis OSullivan
    Absolutely outstanding! I have taken many many courses, both online and in class, this is one of the best, most provocative, most interesting, most insightful. Uriel is a fantastic lecturer and teacher, but more than that, he has clearly spend a hug…
  • Anonymous
    The course itself is structured in a way, regardless of the content, that it is engaging, stimulating, challenging, interesting and fun all at once. The content itself was fabulous. Critical, diverse, dynamic and fresh. I felt so mentally challenged in the way one wants to be challenged, on personal, collective, political and universal levels. I enjoyed every second. The music outros are great, the many questions and discussions are great, and the lectures also.
  • Very intriguing and entertaining course weaving the viewer through the realms of philosophy, politics, art, literature, cinema, and music. Enjoyed the ideas and questions presented and the ways that they were. The primary purpose of this *odyssey* is to get you to think - to introspect and reflect upon your life and our world. And in that regard, it succeeds entirely.
  • Anonymous
    An excellent course! The way all the videos combine songs, images, art, and films makes the understanding deep and adds a layer to our everyday lives. When philosophy and art are so well connected, the experience is truly enriching.
  • Anonymous
    The course is a journey into humanity. No matter how much knowledge you think you have, in this course you will find interesting insights that will spark new reflections. At the very least, you will have become a better person after this course.
  • Anonymous
    The structure of this course is innovative and very appealing, incorporating so much artwork and music videos. You could even say that the music videos are the foundation of the course. It is quite a bit of work. Each lesson takes 2-3 hours. Th…
  • Anonymous
    הקורס הזה היה שונה מכל מה שלמדתי עד עכשיו באוניברסיטה. הוא לא נתן תשובות ברורות, אלא גרם לי לשאול שאלות – על עצמי, על החברה שאני חי בה, ועל החיים בכלל. דיברנו על מושגים כמו חירות, מוסר, משמעות, אהבה ותקווה – לא בצורה תיאורטית ויבשה, אלא דרך טקסטים, סרטים, שירים ודמויות מהחיים.

    אהבתי במיוחד את הדרך שבה כל נושא התחבר לשאלות אישיות וגם פוליטיות. זה גרם לי לחשוב לא רק עם הראש, אלא גם עם הלב. התחושה הייתה שהמרצה באמת לוקח אותנו למסע – לא רק מלמד, אלא משתתף, מקשיב, ומעודד לחשוב אחרת.

    הקורס דרש השקעה – בקריאה, בהקשבה, ובשיח – אבל לגמרי היה שווה את זה. יצאתי ממנו עם תחושת עומק, ועם הרבה מחשבות שאני עדיין מעבד. ממליץ עליו לכל מי שמוכן לצאת קצת מאזור הנוחות ולפגוש את עצמו מחדש.
  • Anonymous
    מעולה ברמה שגורת לי לחשוב שהוא צריך להיות קורס חובה באוניברסיטה. מי שרוצה להפיק ממנו יכול להפיק ממנו המון. הקורס מושקע בטירוף וכולל רפרנסים ליצירות אומנות, מאמרים וסרטים חשובים ומשפיעים בתרבות שווה להכיר. את חלקם אגב לא הכרתי לפני ורשימת הקריאה והצפייה שלי התארכה חד משמעית אחרי הקורס. הוא היה כמעט תרפי עבורי.
  • Anonymous
    A very thought-provoking course, unlike any other I have taken before. It is not a course with answers, but a course that prompts myself to think and reflect. To get the most out of it, you should do everything that is required/recommended: reading, video, discussion posts, assignments, quizzes, even additional resources, despite that there is no tracking of grading (other than the self-report). I think the more you put thoughts into this course, the more you benefit from it.
  • Anonymous
    The HOPE course was truly incredible—I enjoyed every moment of it. It was deeply meaningful, engaging, and insightful. Throughout the course, I was introduced to various philosophical perspectives and diverse worldviews, gained valuable life lessons, and broadened my understanding in profound ways.
  • Yoav Peled
    I approached this course with a touch of skepticism, but it quickly turned into a source of endless fascination. Many of the topics resonate deeply with my daily reflections, offering perspectives that feel both profoundly relevant and intellectually stimulating. The videos and materials strike a perfect balance—engaging, thought-provoking, and inspiring. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone who sees themselves as a thoughtful, open-minded individual eager to explore and reflect on life’s deeper questions.
  • Anonymous
    first ı started this course ı dont except too much thing. ı am at the carantine and ı was trying to find something to improve my english and adds me anything about being a human cause ı think especially in that time of the world we have to recall w…
  • Anonymous
    Just Great. this course touch the very core of a great and complicated ideas with a simple, understandable way who makes everyone think and seek for answers
  • Anonymous
    It was an interesting and amazing course. There were challenging moments, but I definitely think I would recommend the course. It taught me a lot and greatly enriched my knowledge. I'm glad that thanks to the university, I found this course and I'm really happy with it. You learn and grow, and in addition, my English level improved a lot. I had a great time.

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