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: Social Studies
Status: Art History
BeginnerCourse5 hours

Featured reviews

WL

5.0Reviewed Apr 8, 2026

excellent learning, beautiful culture, support human rights

TL

5.0Reviewed Jun 13, 2025

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

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

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.

KK

5.0Reviewed Mar 4, 2023

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

AK

5.0Reviewed Jul 10, 2025

Great overview of the complexity and history of this region!

SO

4.0Reviewed Oct 3, 2025

Excellent content, very interesting, but a bit too fast on delivery.

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.

RP

5.0Reviewed Apr 6, 2023

An excellent course from which I have learnt a lot.

CM

5.0Reviewed Jan 19, 2023

An interesting and concise overview of Ukrainian history

AH

5.0Reviewed Dec 1, 2025

I was attempting to learn more about the current war between Russia and Ukraine and thought a greater understanding of the regions history the way to.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 78

Gary Davidson
3.0
Reviewed Feb 2, 2023
Iryna
5.0
Reviewed Jun 30, 2023
Olivia
4.0
Reviewed Jun 16, 2023
Jean Cunningham
5.0
Reviewed Feb 6, 2023
Patricia Henderson
5.0
Reviewed Jan 23, 2023
Ландвитович Анастасія
5.0
Reviewed Feb 4, 2023
Anton Burduzha
5.0
Reviewed Jan 31, 2023
Deleted Account
5.0
Reviewed Feb 23, 2023
杨晶
5.0
Reviewed Sep 9, 2025
Catherine Mcmillan
5.0
Reviewed Jan 20, 2023
Beatriz merchan diaz
5.0
Reviewed Sep 8, 2024
Н.В. Белая
5.0
Reviewed Feb 14, 2023
Kateryna Ocheretina
5.0
Reviewed Aug 12, 2024
Scott Hickey
5.0
Reviewed Feb 20, 2023
Leandro Dimitry Miranda
5.0
Reviewed Jun 24, 2024
Lisa G Millraney
5.0
Reviewed Feb 1, 2023
G Beals
5.0
Reviewed Aug 14, 2024
Robin Pote
5.0
Reviewed Sep 19, 2023
Monica Latapi Escalante
5.0
Reviewed Sep 7, 2025
Andrew Howe
5.0
Reviewed Dec 1, 2025