Back to Ukraine: History, Culture and Identities
University of Washington

Ukraine: History, Culture and Identities

Explore the history, culture and society of the people of Ukraine from the Middle Ages to the present in this introductory course developed by the Ukrainian Institute, educational studio EdEra, and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and offered on Coursera in cooperation with the University of Washington.   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

Status: Economic Development
Status: Community Development
BeginnerCourse5 hours

Featured reviews

TL

5.0Reviewed Jun 13, 2025

Great course help me to understand how Ukraine become an independent nation. Not easy!

WL

5.0Reviewed Apr 8, 2026

excellent learning, beautiful culture, support human rights

DH

5.0Reviewed Oct 16, 2024

It was fascinating to learn some of the history of the Ukraine, especially in light of the ongoing invasion by Russia which is so often on the news.

VA

4.0Reviewed Jul 7, 2024

Nice course, but kind of short. I loved the intro video to lectures

FR

5.0Reviewed Jul 16, 2023

This course was very well done and thought provoking. I am glad I signed up for it and learned much more about Ukraine's great history.

AK

5.0Reviewed Jul 10, 2025

Great overview of the complexity and history of this region!

AB

5.0Reviewed Jan 30, 2023

Fantastic short course and I offer everyone who at least has a bit of interest in Ukraine to pass it. Glory to Ukraine.

JT

4.0Reviewed Aug 10, 2023

Good course. I had some difficulty understanding the accent of the professors

MD

5.0Reviewed Jul 3, 2023

Very interesting course and I certainly learned some things. It might be possible to follow it up with something more in depth

KK

5.0Reviewed Mar 4, 2023

I found it fascinating. I learned that the issues and animosity between Russia and Ukraine goes back centuries.

IB

4.0Reviewed Oct 1, 2023

A great summary of Ukrainian history. It really inspires one to take a longer course to learn more details about the fascinating history of Ukraine.

RP

5.0Reviewed Apr 6, 2023

An excellent course from which I have learnt a lot.

All reviews

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Gary Davidson
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