St. Edward's University has created a free, online course to help people learn about the pandemic, according to a news release.

The course is called "Staying Well in a Global Pandemic" and is offered to the whole community. It will be a three-part, three-hour course.

The course includes academic experts who will examine the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and will touch on history, art and psychology while it discusses the pandemic.

The purpose of the course is to help individuals process the pandemic while learning to take care of themselves and learning the implications of the virus. The course will also teach individuals how to care for their communities as well.

The course was first designed for university freshmen, but when the university saw how well the course resonated with students, they chose to make the course available via YouTube for community members as well.

The course is self-guided and can be accessed on the university's YouTube channel. The course can also help educators teach similar topics in their classrooms, as well as to college-bound students and adults.

"We encourage everyone to dive into the course, sharpen your critical thinking skills and learn how to stay well during this global pandemic," the news release states.

The first part should take approximately 45 minutes to complete, while the second and third part should take 60 minutes.

Part one describes plagues as disrupters and investigates how plagues in history have disrupted society and changed society. It discusses the social, political and economic inequalities involved. Part two looks at the healing power that art has as it pertains to coping. It also explores how art helps connect people. Part three delves into stress with living with the unpredictability of the pandemic. It discusses the psychological toll the pandemic has on individuals' wellbeing.