Ukrainian 100: Ukrainian Culture and Civilization
Ukrainian culture is a subject that until recently was largely ignored in the world. Ukrainians were thought to be "just like Russians." Their language was considered by many a mere dialect of Russian, and their country was frequently perceived as a region of Russia. After 1991, Ukrainians received an opportunity to openly tell the world their version of Ukrainian history, to assert their uniqueness and their difference, and to reclaim a lot of their cultural achievements that for a long time were either denied or portrayed as "Soviet." This course will give you a chance to discover Ukraine as a nation, explore its past, examine its present and possibly make your own prediction for its future.
What will I learn in this course?
This is a 3-credit course that will acquaint students with Ukrainian history and culture from the origins of the Kyivan Rus in the Middle Ages to the present. The course will examine the many facets that make up culture: history, politics, language, literature, folklore, religion, music, and art. It will place Ukrainian culture in the broader context of the Slavic nations and peoples. Lectures and readings will all be in English. By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe and identify important geographical features of Ukraine.
- Give a summary of Ukrainian history and its key events.
- Discuss the changes in the country after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
- Identify prominent figures in Ukrainian literature, philosophy, and art and discuss their works.
- Explain the impact of the Soviet legacy on the national identity of Ukraine.
- Identify and describe Ukrainian folk crafts.
- Discuss Ukrainian traditions, customs, and holidays.
This course meets the General Education Humanities (GH) requirements and the International Cultures (IL) requirements. See your advisor if you have questions about how this course can be used in your program of study.
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
No specific classes are required before taking UKR 100: Ukrainian Culture and Civilization.
I've never taken an online course before. What is it like?
This course is taught completely online. We'll use Penn State's course management system, ANGEL, for UKR 100, and you will be able to communicate with the professor and your classmates through chat, e-mail, and threaded discussions within ANGEL.
You do not need to come to campus at any time, and you do not need a proctor or remote testing site.
An online course, however, is not easier than on-campus course. In fact, it takes a lot more self-discipline. You must be willing and able to commit the same amount of time as you would for attending class and studying for a traditional course. You must also be a motivated, organized student who feels confident about reading to learn and who is comfortable working independently. If you're wondering whether an online course is right for you, take this short survey to find out more about how online learning is different.
What are the technological requirements for this course?
- Have access to a computer that meets the ANGEL technological requirements.
- Be comfortable with navigating the Internet
How is the course structured?
UKR 100 has 15 lessons. Each lesson will begin with a short quiz, which will test the students' knowledge of the material covered in the previous lecture. Throughout the course, you'll be expected to complete online learning activities, such as post messages to the class message board, and respond to the messages of your classmates. You will also need to submit written reaction paper(s). The most important task in this course will be your final e-portfolio project, which will give you a chance to take a personal creative approach to Ukrainian culture and history. In this project, you will be creating and uploading a Ukrainian History timeline to your Penn State personal web space.
Where can I get more information?
For more information about UKR 100 Online, see a recent course syllabus. To register, visit the Office of the University Registrar. At the beginning of each semester, all enrolled students should access UKR 100 at the site of Penn State's course management system, ANGEL .
Ukrainian Snapshots
After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukriane emerged once again on the map of Europe as an independent country. To many people in the world, Ukraine is a nation yet to be discovered: its long and tragic history, its rich culture, and its talented people remain largely unknown outside its borders.
Kyiv—the capital of the nation—is the best place to explore Ukraine's most ancient recorded history: between the ninth and the thirteenth centuries, it was the center of a powerful medieval empire known as Kyivan Rus'. Many of Kyiv's beautiful churches and monasteries were built during this period, including this magnificent Cathedral of St. Sophia.
Icons, which are symbolic representations of Christ and the saints, play an important role in the Eastern-rite Christianity. As you walk into a Ukrainian church—be it Orthodox or Greek Catholic—you will see many icons on its walls. This one dates back to the seventeenth century and depicts the Assumption of Mary.