What is the schedule for the course?
You have until the end of the course to complete all of the required assignments needed for a certificate.
How do I pass the course?
In order to pass the course, you need to complete all nineteen poll questions (10% of your grade), all five quizzes (20% of your grade) and the final exam (70% of your grade). You need to get an average of a 60% to pass the course and get a certificate.
If I pass, when do I receive my certificate?
All students who pass will receive the certificate within a week of posted deadline. Even if you finish the requirements for a certificate well before that deadline, you will receive your certificate.
How do the polls with the moral dilemmas work?
For each poll question, you first vote on what you think is the right choice and then you give your rationale defending that choice. After you give your answer, you will be presented with rationales both for that choice and the other choices and you choose the rationale that you think is best.
How are the polls graded?
The polls are graded based on completion; there is no correct answers for the polls.
Where do I find the required discussion threads?
For each unit that has a required discussion thread, there is a page within the unit that links to the discussion thread. You can also find the threads by clicking on the Discussion Forum tab at the top of the page.
How many attempts do I have with each quiz and final exam question?
You only have one attempt for each quiz and final exam question.
What are the self-test questions?
The self-test questions are ungraded questions meant to help you review the material. These questions are not reflected in your progress bar and you have unlimited attempts to try to answer them.
Is there an assigned book I have to buy?
No, there is no book you have to buy. All required reading for the course is in the platform. There are several excerpts from Professor Sandel's book Justice: What is the Right Thing to Do? and, if you are interested in purchasing the book and reading beyond the excerpts provided in the course, there are several places that sell it, including Amazon.
How will I be graded? How do I earn the Certificate?
Online learners who achieve a passing grade and have upgraded to the verified track can get a certificate. These certificates will indicate that you have successfully completed the course, but will not include a specific grade. Certificates will be issued by edX and will have the HarvardX logo and name(s)/signature(s) of the faculty.
Am I able to upgrade to a certificate after I complete the course?
Learners are able to upgrade after beginning or completing the course, even if their audit time expires (after they lose audit access) to the course. As long as they attempt to upgrade before the upgrade verification deadline, learners are able to upgrade. However, be advised that prices will be updated in 2020.
For more information about certificates, please see this certificate help page.
Why is some content "locked"?
Some content in edX is available only to learners who have purchased a verified certificate. Locked content is marked with a lock icon. When you see this icon, it indicates there are one or more graded assignments on this page. Verified learners will be able to see and complete these assignments, which will count toward their certificate of completion.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. For more information on financial assistance, please visit the financial assistance page of edX.
When is work due? Are there deadlines? How can I shift the due dates?
The project schedule is flexible for participants. Simply work at your own pace to complete the materials. Some due dates can be shifted. For more information, see this help page from edX.
What do the blue clocks mean?
All graded material has a blue clock icon next to it. If the item also has a deadline, that date is listed right below.
How do I see the correct answer?
For multiple choice and checkbox questions, to submit your answer for points, select ‘Check.’ If you are stumped, you can select ‘show answer,’ but this will result in forfeiture of your points. Please note: if you select ‘Show Answer’ before clicking ‘Check,’ you will receive 0 points. Leaving a question black and clicking "Check" will also result in an incorrect attempt. If it is the last attempt and the question is left black, clicking "Final Check" with no answer submitted will also result in zero points scored. Once you have a green check mark, no need to do anything else, you got the points!
Why am I not getting green check marks?
These green check marks are a new feature on edX. They have been working to make them available for video completion as well as for assessments. However, the check marks are “buggy” and do not always appear. Video completion is not graded, so please do not worry if you are missing these green check marks. Please refer to your progress tab and the grading policy of the course to more accurately gauge your progress.
Are there follow-ups to the course?
Prof. Sandel has one other course on edX: Money, Markets & Morals. Plus, we recommend participating in any future edX courses you find interesting!
I caught a bug or error in the course. How do I contact the teaching team?
Please contact edX if you have any logistical issues with the course.