In this course, Peter Kenez, Professor Emeritus at UC Santa Cruz, explains the events of modern Russian history and introduces its most significant actors—from Vladimir Lenin to Vladimir Putin.
Offered By
University of California, Santa Cruz
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
14 hours to complete
The 9th Century to the 1920s
12 videos (Total 190 min), 1 quiz
12 videos
Formation of the Russian State17m
The Industrial Revolution13m
The February Revolution17m
The Provisional Government18m
The October Revolution17m
Consequences of the Revolution16m
The One-Party State16m
Economy, society, & culture of the 1920s17m
Collectivization19m
Industrialization16m
Terror10m
1 practice exercise
Quiz 124m
Week
22 hours to complete
The Great Patriotic War: Before and After
8 videos (Total 123 min), 1 quiz
8 videos
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact10m
German Invasion of the Soviet Union18m
Partisans, Collaborators, & Racial Distinction14m
The Soviet Union and the Allies10m
Dissipation of Hope18m
Material Devastation18m
Life without Stalin18m
1 practice exercise
Quiz 216m
Week
36 hours to complete
Reform, Stagnation, Collapse, Rebirth?
13 videos (Total 203 min), 2 quizzes
13 videos
"We will bury you!"17m
Adventures in Foreign Policy17m
Andropov, Chernenko, and Gorbachev17m
Perestroika11m
Changing the Soviet Stance14m
The Collapse of the Soviet Union11m
Shock Therapy16m
The Rise of the Oligarchs15m
Why Putin?17m
The New Political Order22m
Putin's Foreign Policy22m
Understanding Russians2m
1 practice exercise
Quiz 324m
4.7
75 ReviewsTop reviews from Russian History: from Lenin to Putin
My first ever online course, and what a great start. The Professor leading it was very good at explaining the fasicating and recent history of Russia with a personal touch. 5/5
Great class and the professor did an excellent job relaying the information. Honestly, I wish it was a little longer and a little more in depth. Definitely, learned a lot.
Instructor
Peter Kenez
Professor EmeritusHistory
About University of California, Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz is an outstanding public research university with a deep commitment to undergraduate education. It’s a place that connects people and programs in unexpected ways while providing unparalleled opportunities for students to learn through hands-on experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.