History of Russia: from Ancient Rus to the Time of Troubles (Coursera)

History of Russia: from Ancient Rus to the Time of Troubles (Coursera)

This course offers unique lectures by the leading professors of St. Petersburg State University, interesting assignments, interactive maps and much more. The online course «History of Russia» follows the tradition of teaching Russian history at St. Petersburg State University, which is distinguished by its approach to the analysis of historical problems and the scientific understanding of events, periods, epochs in their historical relationship. Thoroughly selected factual material serves as the basis that enables learners to conduct an independent analysis of the history of Russian state.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The course covers the history of the Russian state throughout its entire length (from the 9th to the 21st century) and the learners are welcome to join the discussion on the topical issues of Russian history. Upon completion of the course, learners will shape a structured understanding of the main stages of Russian history, based on facts and concepts that are established and acknowledged in historiography.
Course program:

  1. Ancient Russia.
  2. Russia and the Mongols. Moscow Russia.
  3. The Russian State at the end of the 15th — 16th centuries.

4.The Time of Troubles in Russia.

What You Will Learn

  • Assimilate factual, chronological and terminological material
  • You will form an idea of the main trends in the development of Russian society and the state
  • Learn to apply knowledge in practice
  • You will acquire the skill of analyzing modern processes in Russian society

Course 1 of 3 in the History of Russia Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Ancient Russia
The course traditionally begins with the history of Ancient Russia and one of the most remarkable historians of this era, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Andrei Yurievich Dvornichenko, will introduce you to it.

WEEK 2
Russia and the Mongols. Moscow Russia
The second module is devoted to the history of Russia from the 13th century to 1462. Lecturer - Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Roman Aleksandrovich Sokolov.

WEEK 3
The Russian State at the end of the 15th — 16th Centuries
The third module of the course is devoted to the history of Russia from 1462 - from the reign of Ivan III Vasilyevich in 1462 to 1598 - during the reign of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich. Lecturer - Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Vyacheslav Valentinovich Shaposhnik.

WEEK 4
The Time of Troubles in Russia
The fourth module of the course is devoted to the history of Russia in the 17th century. The main events of this period were the Time of Troubles, the way out of the deepest economic and political crisis and the birth of a new royal dynasty of the Romanovs.
Lecturer - Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Vyacheslav Valentinovich Shaposhnik.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Contemporary Russian Literature (Coursera) Coursera
Saint Petersburg State University

Contemporary Russian Literature (Coursera)

We are going to talk about Contemporary literature specifically, but it doesn’t include only the literature of the most recent years. It is technically a course on the history of literature, but the history starting from the late Soviet period up until today. The goal is to show you the best writers’ names, so that you may remember them and read their works after the end of this course.

Aug 8th 2022
5-12 Weeks
Russian for beginners 1. Русский язык: A1 (Coursera) Coursera
Saint Petersburg State University

Russian for beginners 1. Русский язык: A1 (Coursera)

Russian is considered to be one of the world's most difficult languages. This course is aimed at helping those who are interested in understanding the basics of Russian language. Every unit of the course consists of several parts explaining vocabulary, phonetics (pronunciation), grammar, and provides examples of simple dialogues in Russian.

Jul 18th 2022
4 Weeks
Russian as a Foreign Language (A2). Read, Listen and Speak! (edX) EdX
RUDN University,RUDNx

Russian as a Foreign Language (A2). Read, Listen and Speak! (edX)

This course is about Reading, Listening and Speaking in Russian as a Foreign Language at A2 level. You will learn the grammar contents of A2 level of Russian language and the way of using it in communication. The main difference and advantage of this course is that it combines a systematic view of Russian grammar for A2 level with training and illustrative material for reading, listening and speaking.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making (UT) Other Providers
University of Tartu,Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies

Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making (UT)

The main aim of the course is to give students an introduction to and overview of the EU’s and Russia’s foreign policy actors, institutions and frameworks of both entities’ interactions. The course combines various formats of e-learning possibilities (video lectures, short audio podcasts, guest video interviews, skills workshops, etc.). Students will have the possiblity to complete weekly quizzes, participate in the course forum and also complete a short mini-project at the end of the course.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Business Russian Communication. Part 2 (Coursera) Coursera
Saint Petersburg State University

Business Russian Communication. Part 2 (Coursera)

Russian is considered to be one of the most difficult languages in the world, and many learners struggle to master its grammar and pronunciation. This course is aimed at those who wants to work in Russia, do business with Russian partners or study on business-related majors in Russian. In three units of this intensive course learners are going to find out how to maintain phone conversation with Russian partners and what speech clichés can be used, hope to pan and arrange an appointment and how to discuss business-related topics over email.

Aug 8th 2022
4 Weeks
History of Russia: from NEP to Modern Times (Coursera) Coursera
Saint Petersburg State University

History of Russia: from NEP to Modern Times (Coursera)

This course offers unique lectures by the leading professors of St. Petersburg State University, interesting assignments, interactive maps and much more. The online course «History of Russia» follows the tradition of teaching Russian history at St. Petersburg State University, which is distinguished by its approach to the analysis of historical problems and the scientific understanding of events, periods, epochs in their historical relationship.

May 16th 2022
5-12 Weeks
Applied Public History: Places, People, Stories (Coursera) Coursera
University of London

Applied Public History: Places, People, Stories (Coursera)

This course introduces learners to applied public history: understanding and interpreting the past today, and engaging diverse communities in the practice of making and sharing histories. The course draws on project case studies, expert insights and diverse perspectives to model exciting approaches to researching and sharing the history of places and people. Learners will develop a toolkit to apply in their own practice, by participating in discussion, quizzes, creative activities and mini masterclasses. What kinds of stories can we discover through research into the history of places and people?

Nov 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Stalin and Stalinism in Russian History (Coursera) Coursera
Higher School of Economics - HSE University

Stalin and Stalinism in Russian History (Coursera)

The course presents the life and deeds of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 till 1953. It analyses the reasons for his actions and their results, as well as the causes of his popularity in Russia today. It offers an analysis of the phenomenon of Stalinism and of its significance for Russia and beyond. In the late 1920s – early 1930s Stalin directed the massive and rapid industrialisation of the country and the forced collectivisation of its agriculture. The industrialisation was based on forced labour, and collectivisation on repression, but both helped to create the material base for the Soviet defence industry.

Jul 18th 2022
5-12 Weeks
Russian Language А1+: From Elementary to Basic 4 (Coursera) Coursera
Saint Petersburg State University

Russian Language А1+: From Elementary to Basic 4 (Coursera)

This course is the final part of the specialization. The course will help learners to prepare for the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (TORFL, or ТРКИ, Basic Level — A2). This is the last step of the journey in the world of the Russian language. Every module of this course contains essential words and grammar constructions that will help enrich learners' vocabulary and written speech.

May 9th 2022
4 Weeks
Violences et religions (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

Violences et religions (Coursera)

La question « violences et religions » est d’actualité, et pas seulement depuis les attentats d’Al-Qaïda ou de Daech. Pour bien la comprendre, ce cours propose de prendre du recul et de l’envisager sous un angle historique et comparatiste. Le domaine concerné étant l’espace euro-méditerranéen, ce sont essentiellement le christianisme et l’islam qui seront traités (quelques séquences sont également consacrées au judaïsme).

Nov 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks