Online History Courses & Certifications

The ‘Aspects of European History (1780-1939)’ online course is a study of the history of Europe in the set time period along with the political and societal transformations. This massive online open course allows students to discuss political movements such as conservatism, liberalism, radicalism, democracy, socialism, Communism, and Fascism. This certification is provided by Swayam along with Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC). 

The elective course is conducted for eight weeks and the classes are held in a virtual learning environment aided with online resources that offer an experiential learning process. The course instructor for this program is an academic professional, Prof. Subhas Ranjan Chakrobarty from St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata. 

The ‘Aspects of European History (1780-1939)’ online training focuses on the historical movements and delivers a perspective of the contemporary world. The humanities and social science course enable students to get a course certificate and credit points at the undergraduate level.

The History of Modern East Asia -1 (c.1840-1949) course by Swayam will provide the learners with an in-sight into the historic events of pre modern China. They will learn about the pre modern societies, their social and ruling classes, the opium war of 1840, transformation of china into a semi colony, the Taiping revolution, the era of Tung Chi restoration and imperialism by the western powers and their ‘Open Door’ policy.

They will have knowledge about the democratic republican revolution which gave rise to a republic in China, various republican experiments of China which proved to be a failure, the student movement of 1919, commonly known as the May 4th Movement, the rise of Communist Party of China in 1920, the two edged struggle of the communist party of China against the Japanese imperialism, on one hand, and the nationalists, on the other and the victory of People’s Republic of China on 1st October 1949. Candidates who are keen on learning about the history of the Republic of China can pursue this course.

Cultures have been a form of identity for many communities across the globe and this has resulted in some form of extremism in all traditions in the last century but the course, Oriental Beliefs: Between Reason and Traditions, not just clears out any and all misconceptions around these concepts, it takes the applicants through these customs to teach them to appreciate and learn about it.

The Oriental Beliefs: Between Reason and Traditions course goes into details while discussing the beliefs of many faiths, be it Islam, Jewism, Hinduism, Christianism or Zoroastrianism, to instill a sense of secularism and love for diversity while teaching them everything tremendous, from their origin to the current practices. Varying concepts from all across the world, ancient Egypt, China, India, to the near and far east.

The Oriental Beliefs: Between Reason and Traditions course by edx deals with all of the aspects of faith, from its Gods and angels to demons and spirits, and seeks to process every bit of this information through both rationality and philosophy. An overall experience from this Oriental Beliefs: Between Reason and Traditions certification course will go a long way for the candidates and provoke thoughts for a comparative and considerate approach.

Humanity & Nature in Chinese Thought course, provided by edX by associating with the University of Hong Kong, is all about making the ethics and behaviour right, issuing guidelines and its importance. Humanity & Nature in Chinese Thought course introduces the candidates to traditional China and its ethical thought and logic. It focuses on the vast difference between the thinking of Westerners and Chinese, its understanding of right and wrong, bad & good.

Humanity & Nature in Chinese Thought describes how there are two directions standing opposite to each other covered under the natural dao model of traditional China. The studies of ethical paths, distinct human guiding organ and Confucian version will also be included in this program.

The map that internally is responsible for the bad or good choices of life and its correlation with nature like a plant, alternate Chinese human based naturalism, a broader sense of normative guidance will be explained in the course in relation to classical Chinese philosophers and Indo European way of thinking. 

Coursera’s Age of Jefferson course provides a comprehensive look into the life and times of Thomas Jefferson. The seven-part course, with each part comprising lectures, readings, and a tour of institutions and places pivotal to the life of Jefferson, is a place for anyone looking to know the historical figure on a personal level.

The institutional tours offered by Coursera’s Age of Jefferson course are quite in-depth, with an abundance of knowledge regarding the work done by Jefferson in Monticello Estate and the University of Virginia, and how the work brought about a significant change in his life and philosophy. The curriculum reading also includes a lot of letters and other writings penned by Thomas Jefferson. The syllabus also covers the famous letter the historical figure wrote to James Madison, named “the earth belongs to the living.”

Also, the Age of Jefferson online programme is entirely an online learning experience, with no strict lecture timings, allowing you to tackle the course at your own pace. The certification training, alongside the video lectures, also has a ton of reading material paired up with weekly graded tests to put your newly acquired knowledge to test. On course completion, you will be rewarded with an industry-revered certificate by Coursera.

The Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology programme explains how Star Trek, which was initially a failed series, became supremely influential. Today, this cult favourite encompasses additional television series, feature films, and a world of fan memorabilia and conventions. Undertaking this seven-week course, you will understand why people resonate with Star Trek, how it has inspired generations to ask essential questions about their identity and relation with their surrounding world. 

Through the Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology certification syllabus, you will explore how Star Trek’s motion pictures and live-action tv shows impacted audiences globally. Offered by the Smithsonian Institution - the curriculum features trained instructors to explain the relationships between Star Trek and culture, History, society, and technology. The training also includes clips from the films and shows, experts’ opinions, and debate sessions with fellow fans. 

EdX’s Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology course is an introductory free programme under the ‘History’ category. It features no enrolment prerequisites, a self-direct schedule, and a purchasable e-certificate. The institute offers this curriculum under the CBS Consumer Products’ license. 

The Spain of Don Quixote program is an immersive and informative experience provided to the candidates by edX through various means of video lessons, digital maps, and illustrated texts for a better learning experience. The Spain of Don Quixote is in association with Universidad Autonoma de Madrid and it takes the candidates on an exploration of Spain from the ancient era.

The program remains concentrated on the history of Spain between two periods- Baroque and Renaissance and sets the mood of how the culture used to be. It talks about the rich and cherished Spanish literature and art where many artists (Lope de Vega, Cervantes & Velazquez) received excellence in history’s first world empire, the monarchy of Spain.

The Spain of Don Quixote deals with the trendy fashion of Spain at that time in courts of Early Modern Europe, Spanish military and political machinery of the period, and American printing centers. The Spain of Don Quixote program describes the celebration of the huge cities, theatrical production, real geography, and polarised society of Spain and lets the candidates take a tour of the Spanish Golden Era. For candidates to get unlimited access they will have to pursue this course in the verified track. In case the candidates have chosen the audit track they will only be receiving limited course access.

The Study of Art History of Prose Forms of Urdu (AECC) program enlists and extensively covers the B.A. Urdu (Honours) syllabus according to the UGC CBCS guidelines. It is essentially an ability enhancement course designed to supplement the students’ understanding of Urdu prose’s various dimensions. 

The Study of Art History of Prose Forms of Urdu (AECC) online course is scheduled for six weeks, designed for undergraduate students. Dr. Mushtaq Hussain Magloo, who has secured a Ph.D. degree in Urdu from the University of Kashmir, delivers the curriculum. With years of academic experience and a firm grip over the subject, he ensures that students undergo a comfortable and adequate learning experience.

The Study of Art History of Prose Forms of Urdu (AECC) certification syllabus comprehensively covers all the relevant areas and genres of the subject like Maktoob nigari, Reportage, Swaneh, Mazmoon, Novel, Dastaam, Afsana, and Safarnama. The stages of development, along with the form and art of the genres, are also discussed, thereby ensuring that they develop a holistic understanding of the subject. 

Egypt is one of the countries that has a wealthy and long history. The country is linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dating to the time of the pharaohs. The fertile Nile river, temples, ancient monuments, and pharaohs are the central reason for its strong history. The course on Wonders of Ancient Egypt is an initiative by the University of Pennsylvania for the learners who wish to dig deeper into the history of Egypt. 

Wonders of Ancient Egypt training is available on the Coursera portal and the course shall make learners aware of the rich and strong history of Egypt. The learner shall learn about the wonders and strange traditions of the country. This is an online course with flexible deadlines of 6 weeks duration. The classes will be delivered by the experts in the art and history of Egypt and shall be completed within 9 hours. The candidates who have enrolled in the course will also receive Wonders of Ancient Egypt certification from the University of Pennsylvania by the end of the course. 

Magna Carta is an old document approximately 807 years old which is an important document of history and has altered the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom. It is a document that is enforced in 1215 to king John that a king and his government are not above the law. The document is very important from the historical point of view and also holds importance in spreading liberty among the civilians. The course on Magna Carta and its Legacies: Freedom and Protest is an initiative by the University of London for the students who are willing to explore more about the Magna Carta. 

Magna Carta and its Legacies: Freedom and Protest training is an online 6-week course available on the online platform of Coursera. The classes of the course will be taken by the experts and will be completed in 9 hours. The course will focus on the significance of the Magna Carta on the globe, and the reason behind perceiving the Magna Carta as a radical document. The candidates who shall opt for the certification mode will receive Magna Carta and its Legacies: Freedom and Protest certification by the University of London and Coursera.

Learn more about the discovery, and reburial of King Richard III with England in the Time of King Richard III certification course. The online course is mainly made by the leading research university, the University of Leicester, and the completion certificate is produced by FutureLearn. The skeleton remains of Richard III, the famous king was found in a Leicester car park which aroused suspicion, and also revelations about the infidelity with the bloodline of his family were news to the world. With this course, learners will travel in time to the 15th century and unearth life present during the time of Richard III.

England in the Time of King Richard III certification syllabus will cover learning from the university scholars at Leicester about locating the body of the king, and also uncover exciting History about England when he was still alive.

With every passing week of this England in the Time of King Richard III training every candidate will relate to the several aspects of the era of the 15th century that will include a study on the food habits, the warfare used, and how death and commemoration were mourned in the medieval era.

The Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology Part II is a six-week programme that offers insightful knowledge about how this globally favourite series left a lasting impact. This introductory curriculum features top educators with whom you’ll analyse Star Trek clips and movies to understand why it’s a cult classic. Experts will lay down their opinions, and you will also debate with fellow fans for an immersive experience.

The Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology II certification syllabus will dive deep into how this sci-fi phenomenon tackled controversial topics like ethics, race, sexuality, and gender. You will explore vital topics, examine Star Trek’s connections with culture, technology, society, and History, and engage in critical analysis. 

Presented by The Smithsonian Institution, the Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology II online course is entirely self-paced. While there’s a paid certification track for the shareable certificate, you can choose to audit the curriculum at zero cost as well.  It is recommended that you complete Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology (Part I) before enrolling in this training.

A shared initiative of FutureLearn, and Yad Vashem, the Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present certification is a 6 weeks course. This course is online and engages learners with tracing the history of Antisemitism. Here a group of 50 renowned scholars will delve into the issues that are related to  Antisemitism in the state of Israel.

Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present certification syllabus surrounds topics like what really is  Antisemitism, how did this concept of  Antisemitism develop, the reason why  Antisemitism is present in diverse cultures, and how it has evolved throughout history. Soe other questions that get resolved through this course are after Holocaust what happened with Antisemitism, which spheres can Antisemitism be located in, and ways in which it is expressed in the present world.

Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present training is imparted online for only 3 hours per week, where students can learn at their own velocity and can receive a certificate that will be of value for their future growth.

The Tabernacle in Word & Image: An Italian Jewish Manuscript Revealed certification course is an estimated 5 weeks online course. This programme can be studied through the online platform edX. The syllabus comprises five video lectures in number and are short that explore Mantua, Malkiel Ashkenazi’s Tavnit ha-mishkan manuscripts.

The Tabernacle in Word & Image: An Italian Jewish Manuscript Revealed training course has no pre-requirement of knowing Jewish or intellectual history. This short history programme also introduces a free, and fascinating Italian Jewish text concerning the collection portrayed at the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Guetta explains through this programme by studying the manuscripts which state how Jews intellectually lived their lives.

2 different tracks are offered by Edx, one of which is the audit track which offers limited but free access whereas the other one is the verified track which gives unlimited access to the course materials.

In the recent past, conserving cultural heritage has become a vital discussion worldwide. Time and again, urbanisation poses challenges for new development that can maintain the age-old qualities and values of urban areas. The Cultural Heritage in Transformation training allows students to understand, explore, sustain, and utilise a city's cultural heritage.

RWTH Aachen University, one of the most famous institutions in Europe, is offering the five-week-long Cultural Heritage in Transformation programme. The instructor-led course requires students to devote five-six hours per week. Throughout the training, industry veterans will introduce several topic-based approaches and methods using the City of Aachen as a model for candidates. Students will learn with examples of the city, landscapes, artefacts, and individual buildings. 

The Cultural Heritage in Transformation course curriculum also features assignments and revision questions for practice and better understanding. The intermediate-level training runs on a course schedule. The signed and verified edX certification that you will receive after completing the curriculum and paying a fixed price will add immense value to your job profile.

The online programme is provided in a self-paced mode and it can be taken by the learners in two modes; certificate and free. In the paid certificate mode, the candidates will get unlimited access to the course whereas in the free mode, they will be given access only for a limited period of time. 

A significant part of the history of the world, the American past holds a great number of gems hidden to date from many which can be used to figure out patterns that are closely interlinked with the present of this globe, which precisely the course will be mentioned in detail. Smithsonian’s Objects That Define America boasts about a perspective of history that is unique to its contents and mentions the iconic symbols, which though were of great significance in that era, have come to be forgotten.

By the end of the Smithsonian’s Objects That Define America certification course, the candidates will have a distinct knowledge of objects narrating the key points in the history of America. They will have gained insight into the distance as well as the recent past through observation of the moments collected in Smithsonian, giving them the opportunity to recognize precious artifacts, their stories and be able to connect and create their lifetimes. 

Smithsonian’s Objects That Define America course will help the candidates in all fields connected to or using the knowledge of, America’s history, valuable memorabilia, their theoretical studies, sequencing timelines, and such.

Have you ever wondered what made Star Trek a cult classic? How it began as an unsuccessful network series and transformed into a whole universe of feature films, fan conventions, television series, and memorabilia? If yes, then choose edX’s Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology III programme. Here, you’ll take an in-depth look into why this globally popular series resonates with millions. Offered by The Smithsonian Institution, this is a five-week introductory training in ‘History’. 

The immersive Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology III certification syllabus will employ object exploration, critical analysis, Star Trek’s clips, experts’ viewpoints, and debate sessions with fans. Additionally, you will also examine how this series’ motion films and live-action tv shows impacted audiences worldwide. The curriculum will also explain how this cult movie tackled various controversial subjects, including gender, sexuality, race, and ethics.

The Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology III online course provides free auditing and an optional certificate (paid). The curriculum schedule is self-paced, has English transcripts, and requires just one to three hours of study every week. 

From the year 1868 of Japan’s emergence as a new nation, the Modern Japanese Architecture Part 1: From Meiji Restoration to the Pacific War course by edX illustrates the roots of modern buildings in Japan. These lasted over three-quarters of a century. Teachings and video transcripts for the course are available in English. By paying a fee, edX offers a verified certificate to its learners.

The edX Modern Japanese Architecture Part 1 course focuses on the westernisation of Japanese architecture that lasted from the period of 1868 to 1945. Intensive processes set in by westernisation include the ‘functionalist’ innovations of Le Corbusier. It also includes the ‘stripped-down’ approaches of Walter Gropius that influenced Japanese architecture. 

Spread across five weeks, this intermediate course in Modern Japanese Architecture is taught by a specially appointed professor of the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Mr. David B. Stewart is the author of several books and monographs relevant to the course and has relevant domain experience.

The Remembering Empire online course is about the collective memory of the empire. It talks about the memories of French settlers in Algeria and their view of Algerian colonial history. In this program, you will learn about these settlers’ history, the subsequent eight-year-long Algerian War of Independence, and the French settlers’ mass exit in 1962. The curriculum focuses on the mass migration’s cultural impact and aims to arrive at how France shaped Algeria’s colonial history. 

The UK Government’s Arts and Humanities Research Council has funded the Remembering Empire certification. It is a five-week online course in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities. You will be learning through videos, short readings, discussions, and quizzes through an interactive and comprehensive journey. 

Dr. Fiona Barclay of the University of Stirling, Scotland, will deliver the Remembering Empire program. You do not need any prior knowledge to join this course. Moreover, this in-depth curriculum will help you seek career prospects in cultural industries, charities, and amongst memory activists, museums, etc. 

The Introduction to History of Architecture in India program will help you understand architectural works as material expressions of societies, polities, and aspirations of a region. The course also provides a broad perspective on India's five thousand years of rich architectural history.

Moreover, the Introduction to History of Architecture in India course by Swayam is available at the UG level. In just four weeks, you will have acquired knowledge of the various cultural, artisanal, technological, and philosophical processes of every period and place of architecture in India. 

Core topics covered in the Introduction to History of Architecture in India syllabus include Cave & Wooden architecture, Islamic architecture, Sultanate architecture, Medieval temples, Mughals and Rajputs, Neoclassical architecture, and more. 

As such, you will study the complete history of architecture in India, starting from the Bronze Age through the Vedic Culture period, early Buddhist period, early modernity in architecture, and colonial buildings. Finally, the Introduction to History of Architecture in India online course will culminate on the architecture from the Republic of India.

The course in Modern Indian Art from the Colonial Period to the Present by Swayam delves into the socio-political, aesthetic, and cultural factors that have shaped the history of Indian art movements. Beginning from the colonial period, it traces the evolution of Indian art forms as a function of external and internal factors, such as shifts in patronage from kings to the erstwhile colonial rulers. 

The Modern Indian Art from the Colonial Period to the Present course is designed to look at vital moments in Indian history and correlate them with changing art styles. It also highlights how the art style changed from nationalistic to individualistic. The candidates will get to study the significant Indian artists, their works of art, and how they influenced the movement.

The Course in Modern Indian Art from the Colonial Period to the Present encourages art appreciation amongst the candidates and teaches them how to critique art forms. It is a 4-week long programme, offered by the expert faculty from Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan.