Ukraine: History, Culture and Identities from Coursera

Explore the history, culture and society of the people of Ukraine from the Middle Ages to the present in this introductory course developed by the Ukrainian Institute, educational studio EdEra, and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and offered on Coursera in cooperation with the University of Washington.

The culture and identities of Ukrainian people have existed in this region for more than a thousand years. Like most Eastern European countries, Ukraine is a rather young country — it declared its independence in 1991. Since then, it managed to survive three revolutions struggling for the protection of democratic values and human rights; radically changed the vector of international politics; and advanced significantly in the development of arts and culture.

Learn about the events and processes that took place before independence was declared and see what historical and cultural heritage was preserved by the Ukrainian people when it entered the 21st century in this program taught by researchers, experts in history and political science, and professors from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Dr. Natalia Shlikhta, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of History, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Dr. Maksym Yakovlev, Head of the Department of International Relations, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Director of the School for Policy Analysis

Dr. Tetiana Grygorieva, Associate Professor of the Department of History, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Dr. Vadym Aristov, Senior lecturer of the Department of History, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Dr. Kateryna Dysa, Associate Professor of the Department of History, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Independence and Pre-XIX Century Ukraine

INDEPENDENT UKRAINE: You will be able to explain how Ukraine's independence was declared, list all the major Ukrainian revolutions and describe the objectives of Ukrainian foreign policy vectors. KYIVAN RUS' IN THE MIDDLE AGES: You will be able to describe the origins of Ukraine in Rus’ state, explain the historical significance of Christianization and discuss the origin of Rus’ culture. UKRAINIAN LANDS IN THE EARLY MODERN TIMES: You will be able to identify peculiarities of the Ukrainian Reformation, explain the origins of the Cossack community and interpret its course of development.

Module 2: Ukraine in the XIX Century and Beyond

UKRAINE IN THE LONG XIX CENTURY: You will be able to compare the Ukrainian National Revival with similar movements in other European nations, explain the key features of the industrialization and the Ukrainian national movement. UKRAINE IN THE XX CENTURY: You will be able to summarize postwar territorial arrangements regarding the Ukrainian lands, determine the features of Stalin’s “Great Turn” in 1929, analyze the development of political movement.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the origins and development of Ukrainian culture and society

Taught by instructors from a recognized Ukrainian University

Examines the formation and development of Ukrainian national identity

Develops a strong foundation for understanding contemporary Ukraine

Covers a comprehensive range of topics relevant to Ukraine's history, culture, and society

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ukraine: History, Culture and Identities with these activities:

Review Ukraine: A History

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Serve as a foundation for learning by introducing how historians analyze key periods in Ukraine's past.

View The Frontline on Amazon

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Read and summarize the first three chapters of the book.
Consider the different perspectives presented by Plokhy and Davies on the origins of Ukraine.
Make notes identifying the key themes and events covered in each chapter.

Participate in a history quiz or competition related to Ukrainian history

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Test knowledge, stimulate critical thinking, and potentially win recognition for achievements in learning Ukrainian history.

Browse courses on Ukrainian History

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Identify and register for history quizzes or competitions related to Ukrainian history.
Study and prepare for the competition by reviewing relevant materials.
Participate in the competition and demonstrate understanding of Ukrainian history.

Follow tutorials on Ukrainian history

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Learn about different stages of Ukrainian history by watching and reviewing short online videos.

Browse courses on Ukrainian History

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Search for and select a tutorial that covers a topic of interest.
Watch the tutorial and take notes on the main points.
Review your notes and summarize the key events and concepts.

Five other activities

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Practice working with historical maps of Ukraine

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Develop a deeper understanding of the geographical context of historical events by working with historical maps.

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Find and download historical maps of Ukraine from different periods.
Locate and identify key cities, rivers, and other landmarks on the maps.
Create a timeline and mark the major historical events on the maps.

Participate in a study group or discussion forum on Ukrainian history

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Enhance understanding by discussing and exchanging perspectives with peers, solidifying knowledge, and identifying areas for further exploration.

Browse courses on Ukrainian History

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Join or create a study group or discussion forum focused on Ukrainian history.
Actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and share insights.
Review and summarize the key points discussed in the group.

Develop a visual timeline of Ukrainian history

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Demonstrate understanding of the sequence and significance of historical events in Ukrainian history by creating a visual timeline.

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Gather information and research key historical events in Ukrainian history.
Create a visual representation of the timeline, using charts, graphs, or a digital tool.
Label the events and include brief descriptions or explanations.

Compile a collection of primary sources on Ukrainian history

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Strengthen your understanding of the historical context and events by working with primary sources.

Browse courses on Primary Sources

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Search for and select primary sources related to a specific period or topic in Ukrainian history.
Read and analyze the sources, identifying key themes and perspectives.
Organize and compile the sources into a coherent collection.

Develop a presentation on a specific period or topic in Ukrainian history

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Improve comprehension by analyzing, organizing, and presenting information on a chosen topic while enhancing communication and presentation skills.

Browse courses on Ukrainian History

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Research and gather relevant information from credible sources.
Develop an outline and structure for the presentation.
Create visual aids, such as slides or handouts, to support the presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Ukraine: History, Culture and Identities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

A Historian researches, analyzes, interprets, and writes about the past by studying historical documents and sources. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian history and culture, which could be valuable for a Historian specializing in Eastern European or Ukrainian affairs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Archivist

An Archivist acquires, preserves, arranges, describes, and provides access to historical records. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian history, which could be valuable for an Archivist specializing in Ukrainian affairs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Museum curator

A Museum Curator plans and oversees the care and display of museum collections. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian history and culture, which could be valuable for a Museum Curator specializing in Ukrainian or Eastern European art or history.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Cultural Anthropologist

A Cultural Anthropologist studies the behavior, beliefs, and languages of different cultures. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian culture and society, which could be valuable for a Cultural Anthropologist specializing in Eastern European or Ukrainian studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cultural Anthropologist

Foreign Service Officer

A Foreign Service Officer represents the United States government abroad and promotes American interests. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian history and culture, which could be valuable for a Foreign Service Officer specializing in Eastern European affairs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Foreign Service Officer

Journalist

A Journalist investigates and reports on news and current events. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian history and culture, which could be valuable for a Journalist specializing in Eastern European or Ukrainian affairs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Political Scientist

A Political Scientist studies political systems and processes. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian history and politics, which could be valuable for a Political Scientist specializing in Eastern European or Ukrainian affairs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Scientist

Sociologist

A Sociologist studies human society and social behavior. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian society and culture, which could be valuable for a Sociologist specializing in Eastern European or Ukrainian studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

Teacher

A Teacher educates students in a variety of subjects. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian history and culture, which could be valuable for a Teacher specializing in Eastern European or Ukrainian studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Librarian

A Librarian acquires, organizes, and provides access to information resources. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian history and culture, which could be valuable for a Librarian specializing in Ukrainian or Eastern European studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Anthropologist

An Anthropologist studies the behavior, beliefs, and languages of different cultures. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian culture and society, which could be valuable for an Anthropologist specializing in Eastern European or Ukrainian studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Anthropologist

Archaeologist

An Archaeologist studies past peoples and cultures by excavating and analyzing their remains. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Ukrainian history, which could be valuable for an Archaeologist specializing in Eastern European or Ukrainian archaeology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archaeologist