Fowler Law Professor Tom W. Bell Develops New “Massively Open Online Course”
November 21, 2014
In conjunction with the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University, Chapman University Fowler School of Law Professor
Tom W. Bell
recently developed a massively open online course (MOOC): ”
Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide to Trademarks, Patents, & More
.” The MOOC is hosted by Udemy. It includes 22 videos, written and performed by Professor Bell, and has been illustrated throughout with amusing animations.
Professor Bell prepared the MOOC with not so much law students or lawyers in mind, but lay people eager to learn how intellectual property (IP) can help or hinder their entrepreneurial projects. The course sticks to the basics, focuses on practical issues, and relies on many examples. Various assessment devices, including many quizzes, allow students to make sure they understand the material and allow them to proceed as fast or slow as they like. Anyone can take the course, free of charge.
This marks only the latest of many projects that Professor Bell has done with the Institute of Humane Studies, including a
series of videos
about such topics as the rule of law and the merits of property rights. The Institute makes these education materials available free of charge to students across the globe, in order to promote the ideals of freedom, prosperity, and peace. Professor Bell said, “this MOOC not only allows me to support the Institute’s worthy goals; it also gives me invaluable experience with a pedagogical method that many experts claim represents the future of education.”