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Back to Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity by Stanford University

4.9
stars
3,153 ratings

About the Course

In this course we will seek to “understand Einstein,” especially focusing on the special theory of relativity that Albert Einstein, as a twenty-six year old patent clerk, introduced in his “miracle year” of 1905. Our goal will be to go behind the myth-making and beyond the popularized presentations of relativity in order to gain a deeper understanding of both Einstein the person and the concepts, predictions, and strange paradoxes of his theory. Some of the questions we will address include: How did Einstein come up with his ideas? What was the nature of his genius? What is the meaning of relativity? What’s “special” about the special theory of relativity? Why did the theory initially seem to be dead on arrival? What does it mean to say that time is the “fourth dimension”? Can time actually run more slowly for one person than another, and the size of things change depending on their velocity? Is time travel possible, and if so, how? Why can’t things travel faster than the speed of light? Is it possible to travel to the center of the galaxy and return in one lifetime? Is there any evidence that definitively confirms the theory, or is it mainly speculation? Why didn’t Einstein win the Nobel Prize for the theory of relativity? About the instructor: Dr. Larry Lagerstrom is the Director of Academic Programs at Stanford University’s Center for Professional Development, which offers graduate certificates in subjects such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, data mining, nanotechnology, innovation, and management science. He holds degrees in physics, mathematics, and the history of science, has published a book and a TED Ed video on "Young Einstein: From the Doxerl Affair to the Miracle Year," and has had over 30,000 students worldwide enroll in his online course on the special theory of relativity (this course!)....

Top reviews

JD

May 24, 2018

Outstanding course, by far the best MOOC available. I really enjoyed listening to prof. Lagerstrom lectures and his clear explanations of a subject which is not so obvious to understand.

SG

Mar 16, 2018

It was a good introductory course for the special theory of relativity. But being from an engineering background i wished it was a bit more quantitative but an excellent course nonetheless.

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926 - 950 of 1,088 Reviews for Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity

By Andres G

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Dec 10, 2017

Excelent, very clear

By abhijit c

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Feb 17, 2017

I loved this course.

By Deleted A

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Jan 27, 2023

Amazing course !!!!

By Donghyun K

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Nov 5, 2020

Very well explained

By Jeffrey H

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Jul 23, 2017

Outstanding course!

By denis l

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Nov 13, 2016

Really appreciated!

By Terry

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Jul 26, 2025

easy to understand

By Garcia H

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Mar 25, 2022

Excelente curso!!!

By Belkacem E

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Oct 24, 2020

Fantastic journey!

By Рогалев А В

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Apr 29, 2018

Very interesting !

By Daniel M P

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Nov 3, 2017

Amazing experience

By Minh N

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Aug 18, 2017

One word: awesome!

By Alfonso G T

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May 23, 2025

Phenomenal course

By Enrique P

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Jan 24, 2025

Excellent course.

By Austin B

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Dec 10, 2023

excellent course.

By AMARIO T F J

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Jul 17, 2022

very good course!

By Rauhit K

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Sep 9, 2021

Truly insightful.

By Larry A A

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Mar 2, 2021

Excellent lecture

By Dan F

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Feb 1, 2021

Great course!!!!!

By Veena R

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Oct 8, 2020

Excellent course.

By Tejas p

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Sep 19, 2020

Incredible course

By Federica L M

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Jun 26, 2020

BEST TEACHER EVER

By Justin H

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Jun 16, 2020

Very interesting.

By Walid H

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Feb 27, 2018

Excellent course.

By Per-Erik R

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Sep 6, 2017

Fantastic teacher