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Russian History

from Lenin to Putin

Peter Kenez

In this course, Peter Kenez, Professor Emeritus at UC Santa Cruz, explains the events of modern Russian history and introduces its most significant actors—from Vladimir Lenin to Vladimir Putin.

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What's inside

Syllabus

The 9th Century to the 1920s

The Great Patriotic War: Before and After

Reform, Stagnation, Collapse, Rebirth?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers historical figures and events relevant to understanding modern Russia

Offers a comprehensive overview of major eras and developments in Russian history

Taught by Peter Kenez, a highly respected historian specializing in Russian history

Suitable for learners looking to deepen their understanding of Russia's past and present

Covers significant topics such as the Great Patriotic War, reforms, and the collapse of the Soviet Union

May require prior knowledge or interest in Russian history for full appreciation

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Reviews summary

Empathetic examination of russian history

Learners say this course offers an empathetic and nuanced view of Russian history from the time of Lenin to Putin. According to students, Professor Kenez is a knowledgeable and engaging instructor who brings the subject matter to life. The course receives praise for its clear explanations, detailed content, and use of visuals and music. Students note that the course covers a wide range of topics, including the October Revolution, the Soviet era, and the rise of Putin. They also appreciate the opportunity to engage with other learners through discussion forums and essay assignments. Overall, this course is highly recommended for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Russian history and its impact on the present day.

The course covers a wide range of topics, including the October Revolution, the Soviet era, and the rise of Putin.

"This course has been very worthwhile."

"Highly recommended to anyone with more than a passing interest in the subject."

"It's actually somewhat incorrectly named, as the history taught predates Lenin and includes a bit about the Romanovs/pre-revolutionary Russia."

The course includes discussion forums and essay assignments, providing opportunities for active learning and engagement with other learners.

"I really enjoyed the course and the in-depth review of all the major events that took place in modern Russian history."

"The professor is great, although at times the subject bounced around a little bit (discussion wasn't always in chronological order), but overall fantastic!"

The course is praised for its clear explanations and detailed content.

"I found this a most enjoyable course with clear explanations of the causes of the tumultuous events in Russia during the last Century."

"The course has given me a better understanding of Russian history during the past century, and even more importantly, of Russia’s present day situation."

"I just wanted to share my gratitude to Coursera, for one, given the possibility to people from anywhere in the world to be able to do this this course online, and two, for the amazing opportunity to learn with Professor Peter Kenez."

Professor Kenez is an engaging and knowledgeable instructor who brings the subject matter to life.

"Professor Kenez is a kind gentleman, who imparts his highly organized lectures in a calm tone, a placid pace and with a thorough and complete mastery of the topic."

"His lectures conclude with an explicit statement of empathy for all that the Russians have endured, but his appreciation of their suffering is evident throughout."

"Professor Kenez's course entitled: Russian History from Lenin to Putin, The University of California, Santa Clara was my 19th course that I have taken through Coursera."

"I have been an active participant in Coursera since March 2015."

"I will state unequivocally that this Russian history class was definitely in the top five, possibly top three and possibly even the finest course that I have taken."

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 Russian History: from Lenin to Putin with these activities:

Review Russian History

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Reviewing key events and figures in Russian history will help you better understand the course material.

Browse courses on Russian History

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Create a timeline of major events in Russian history.
Read about key figures in Russian history, such as Vladimir Lenin and Vladimir Putin.
Watch documentaries about Russian history.

Review the basics of Russian history

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Reviewing the basics of Russian history will help you understand the events of modern Russian history better.

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Read a book or article about Russian history.
Watch a documentary about Russian history.
Visit a museum that has exhibits on Russian history.

Attend a workshop on Russian history

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Attending a workshop on Russian history will help you learn from experts and get a deeper understanding of the material.

Browse courses on Russian History

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Find a workshop on Russian history that is appropriate for your level of knowledge.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.
Take notes on the key points.

Eight other activities

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Follow a tutorial on Russian history

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Following a tutorial on Russian history will help you learn about the key events and figures in Russian history.

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Find a tutorial on Russian history that is appropriate for your level of knowledge.
Follow the tutorial step-by-step.
Take notes on the key points.

Participate in a discussion group about Russian history

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Participating in a discussion group about Russian history will help you learn from others and develop your own understanding of the material.

Browse courses on Russian History

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Find a discussion group about Russian history that is appropriate for your level of knowledge.
Participate in the discussions regularly.
Share your thoughts and ideas with the group.

Explore Online Historical Archives

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Exploring online historical archives can help you gain a deeper understanding of the events and figures covered in the course.

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Find online historical archives related to Russian history.
Follow tutorials on how to search and use these archives.
Use the archives to research a specific topic or event in Russian history.

Answer practice questions on Russian history

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Answering practice questions on Russian history will help you reinforce your knowledge of the material.

Browse courses on Russian History

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Find practice questions on Russian history that are appropriate for your level of knowledge.
Answer the questions carefully.
Check your answers against the answer key.

Create a timeline of Russian history

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Creating a timeline of Russian history will help you visualize the key events and periods in Russian history.

Browse courses on Russian History

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Gather information about the key events in Russian history.
Organize the events chronologically.
Create a visual representation of the timeline.

Create a Historical Podcast

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Creating a historical podcast episode will help you synthesize and communicate your understanding of Russian history.

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Choose a specific topic or event in Russian history to focus on.
Research your topic thoroughly.
Write a script for your podcast episode.
Record and edit your podcast episode.
Share your podcast episode with others.

Read a book about Russian history

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Reading a book about Russian history will help you gain a deeper understanding of the events and people that have shaped Russia's development.

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Choose a book about Russian history that is appropriate for your level of knowledge.
Read the book carefully and take notes on the key points.
Discuss the book with a friend or colleague.

Write an essay about a Russian historical figure

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Writing an essay about a Russian historical figure will help you develop your critical thinking and writing skills.

Browse courses on Russian History

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Choose a Russian historical figure that you are interested in.
Research the figure's life and accomplishments.
Write an essay that analyzes the figure's impact on Russian history.

Career center

Learners who complete Russian History: from Lenin to Putin will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

In your role as a Historian, you might use insights from Russian History: From Lenin to Putin to enhance your understanding of modern Russian culture and politics. For an in-depth knowledge base, you can apply this course's exploration of events from Lenin to Putin toward your historical research and writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Political Scientist

Political Scientists can utilize the information provided by this course to deepen their awareness of 20th century Russian politics. Furthermore, an examination of the figures and events in Russian history will support your own analysis of modern political systems and ideologies.

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Journalist

Background in Russian History: From Lenin to Putin would inform your reporting on current events in Russia. This knowledge would enhance your ability to provide insightful commentary for your audience.

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Museum curator

This course may assist Museum Curators in understanding the historical context behind artifacts and exhibits related to Russian history. By grasping the events and individuals covered in the course, you can engage visitors with a deeper understanding.

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Professor

Russian History: From Lenin to Putin can aid Professors in teaching about 20th century Russian history. The course content can supplement lectures and provide historical context for students.

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Archivist

Archivists may find Russian History: From Lenin to Putin useful in understanding the historical context of documents related to Russia.

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Foreign Service Officer

This course can assist Foreign Service Officers in understanding the historical context of Russia's foreign policy. The course content can provide valuable insights into Russia's political culture and its relations with other countries.

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Lawyer

This course may be helpful for Lawyers specializing in international law or Russian law. The course provides insights into the legal and political history of Russia, which can be valuable for understanding the legal system and its evolution.

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Anthropologist

Russian History: From Lenin to Putin can be useful to Anthropologists who study Russian culture or society. The course provides a historical context for understanding the development of Russian culture and society.

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Librarian

This course can be beneficial for Librarians who specialize in Russian history or politics. The course content can help you build a foundation in Russian history, which is valuable for assisting patrons with research and providing reference services.

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Sociologist

Russian History: From Lenin to Putin can be useful for Sociologists who study Russian society. The course can aid in understanding the historical context of social change in Russia.

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Economist

Economists may find Russian History: from Lenin to Putin helpful in understanding the economic history of Russia. The course can provide insights into the factors that have shaped Russia's economic development.

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Translator

This course can be beneficial for Translators who work with Russian texts or who specialize in Russian history or politics. The course can provide valuable context for understanding the historical and political references that may appear in texts.

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Teacher

Russian History: From Lenin to Putin may be helpful for Teachers who teach Russian history or politics. The course content can supplement lesson plans and provide historical context for students.

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Writer

This course can be useful for Writers who are interested in Russian history or politics. The course can provide valuable background information for writing historical fiction, non-fiction, or political commentary.

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Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Russian History: from Lenin to Putin.

Novaja istorija

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This Russian-language textbook offers a comprehensive overview of Russian history from its origins to the present day, serving as a valuable resource for those who want to engage with the course material in the original language.

Russian History

from Lenin to Putin

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Empathetic examination of russian history

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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