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

Russian company law. Company management (Coursera) Coursera
Moscow State Institute of International Relations - MGIMO

Russian company law. Company management (Coursera)

The present course gives an overview of Bases of Russian company law. Company management. The course is directed to students of general educational institutions, Russian and foreign lawyers, heads of legal entities, financial directors, chief accountants, auditors, practicing in English, and to any person, interested in the Russian Company Law.

Aug 1st 2022
1 Week
Recovering the Humankind's Past and Saving the Universal Heritage (Coursera) Coursera
Sapienza University of Rome

Recovering the Humankind's Past and Saving the Universal Heritage (Coursera)

Archaeology has as its objective the recovery and revival of humankind past, and as its aim the rescue and preservation of cultural heritage. Archaeology is, among human sciences, the discipline with the strongest importance for the rediscovery, but also for the preservation and protection of cultural heritage, as Humankind’s universal patrimony. You will be introduced to the way we ourselves reflect on and are engaged with the study of human past: from the practical and material recovery of ancient traces in the field to the study and interpretation. On the other hand, the discovery of human past implies the correct conservation and presentation for both experts and general public: the study and protection of the past we share every day prevent from any possible destruction, misuse, abuse and thus cancellation of human memory.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
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
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
The History of Modern Israel – Part I: From an Idea to a State (Coursera) Coursera
Tel Aviv University

The History of Modern Israel – Part I: From an Idea to a State (Coursera)

How did the State of Israel come to be? How is it that an idea, introduced in 19th century Europe, became a reality? And how does that reality prevail in the harsh complexities of the Middle East? Presented by Professor Eyal Naveh, with additional units from Professor Asher Sussers' "The Emergence of the Modern Middle East" course, This course will take you on a journey through the history of Modern Israel. In this 1st part of the course we will explore: How did the 19th century idea of a Jewish state become a reality? So the next time you hear about Israel in the news, you will be informed enough about the history of this area to comprehend the many sides and narratives that interact to shape the complex reality of Israel today.

Nov 16th 2026
3 Weeks
The Making of Modern Ukraine (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

The Making of Modern Ukraine (Coursera)

Ukraine must have existed as a society and polity on 23 February 2022, else Ukrainians would not have collectively resisted Russian invasion the next day. What does it mean for a nation to exist? Is this a matter of structures, actions, or both? Why has the existence of Ukraine occasioned such controversy? In what ways are Polish, Russian, and Jewish self-understanding dependent upon experiences in Ukraine? Just how and when did a modern Ukrainian nation emerge?

Nov 9th 2026
1 Week
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
Indigenous Canada (Coursera) Coursera
University of Alberta

Indigenous Canada (Coursera)

Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Understanding Russians: Contexts of Intercultural Communication (Coursera) Coursera
Higher School of Economics - HSE University

Understanding Russians: Contexts of Intercultural Communication (Coursera)

In the course “Understanding Russians: Contexts of Intercultural Communications": we will: build skills in the analysis of the intercultural communication process using Russian-Western communication as an example; apply the knowledge of interrelations between different contexts of communication (cultural, institutional, professional, social, interpersonal, etc, to the cultural history and national psychology of Russians. The purpose of the course is to provide the students with a broad overview of the basic principles governing the past, the present and the future interactions between Russia and the West, with a focus on the culture and national psychology of Russians and Western Europeans.

Aug 1st 2022
5-12 Weeks
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Teach-Out (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Russian Invasion of Ukraine Teach-Out (Coursera)

The armed conflict in Ukraine first started in the beginning of 2014, when Russia invaded and annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Over the past eight years, there has been ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with regular shelling and skirmishes occurring along Russian and Ukrainian borders in the eastern part of the country. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, plunging the entire country into war and sending shockwaves across the world.

Jul 25th 2022
1 Week
Introduction to Ancient Egypt and Its Civilization (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Introduction to Ancient Egypt and Its Civilization (Coursera)

Colossal pyramids, imposing temples, golden treasures, enigmatic hieroglyphs, powerful pharaohs, strange gods, and mysterious mummies are features of Ancient Egyptian culture that have fascinated people over the millennia. The Bible refers to its gods, rulers, and pyramids. Neighboring cultures in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean wrote about its god-like kings and its seemingly endless supply of gold. The Greeks and Romans describe aspects of Egypt's culture and history.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks