Name: Benjamin Franklin and His World
Brand: University of Pennsylvania
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.6 (14 reviews)

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Learner reviews & feedback for Benjamin Franklin and His World

4.630 reviews

About this course

Welcome to Benjamin Franklin and His World! In this online version of the University of Pennsylvania's SNF Paideia course, we explore the life of one of the United States’ most important historical figures. We examine Franklin’s early life growing up in the American colonies, his professional career as a printer and scientist, and his role in the American Revolution and the founding the United States as a new nation on the world stage.

We will also confront the moral issues that complicate the legacy of Benjamin Franklin, such as his connection to slavery and the racism that was prevalent during his time. We’ll wrestle with how to evaluate Franklin in the present day as we examine his life through both a modern lens and the historical context in which he lived. Support for this course has generously been provided by the SNF Paideia Program at the University of Pennsylvania and the Colton Foundation.

Featured reviews

5.0Reviewed Mar 13, 2026

Outstanding presentation. Excellent material. My only criticism is the lectures could be overly long considering the limited material that was presented.

5.0Reviewed Jan 30, 2026

I very well presented course. Factually, short videos with lots of interest and a wide variety of information both regarding Franklin and especially interesting of the times and the life.

5.0Reviewed Feb 19, 2023

Excellent information and insight, enjoyed every section of the course.

4.0Reviewed Nov 22, 2023

Excellent course with good content for discussion but, that has no way of ever being completed because after completing 100% of the course work it does not get marked complete.

All reviews

Showing: 14 of 14

Heather Lashier

5.0

Reviewed Feb 2, 2023

loved this class

, but no certificate

Ron Blyseth

4.0

Reviewed Nov 23, 2023

Excellent course with good content for discussion but, that has no way of ever being completed because after completing 100% of the course work it does not get marked complete.

Beircheart Boose (Beir)

1.0

Reviewed Aug 6, 2025

Course does not show as completed and there is no certificate upon completion. This means you cannot add to a profile or resume as having done this course.

David Delorme

5.0

Reviewed Jan 30, 2026

I very well presented course. Factually, short videos with lots of interest and a wide variety of information both regarding Franklin and especially interesting of the times and the life.

Andrew Locke

5.0

Reviewed Mar 13, 2026

Outstanding presentation. Excellent material. My only criticism is the lectures could be overly long considering the limited material that was presented.

John Reding

5.0

Reviewed Feb 20, 2023

Excellent information and insight, enjoyed every section of the course.

Paul B. O'Kelly

5.0

Reviewed Aug 8, 2023

Excellent, informative course

Jacqueline A O'Brien

5.0

Reviewed Feb 24, 2024

I loved this course.

Dakota S

5.0

Reviewed Apr 7, 2026

certificate

KIP BROWN

5.0

Reviewed Jan 1, 2023

Bravo

Dakota

5.0

Reviewed Mar 24, 2026

100

Stefany Vivi

5.0

Reviewed Jan 8, 2024

Lori H

4.0

Reviewed Jan 19, 2026

While I loved the videos - I was really hoping for something which required more work and thought on my part. Questions were super easy. Prof clearly loves his subject and that comes across in all the videos.

Himmatpreet Kaur

4.0

Reviewed Jan 20, 2025

Interesting course for historians