Ukraine: History, Culture and Identities (Coursera)

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 You Will Learn

A short introductory course in the history, culture, and society of Ukraine from the Middle Ages to the present.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

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.

WEEK 2

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.