Istoria: lessons for the present | Full course

Course description:

This eight-week course explores pivotal themes in Ukrainian history—from imperial domination and genocidal occupations to the acquisition of statehood and civic resilience. Drawing on the work of leading scholars, learners will examine how historical experiences illuminate contemporary challenges not only in Ukraine but in Europe and beyond. The course offers insights from Ukrainian history on citizenship, democracy, and civic resistance, highlighting lessons for building resilient societies globally.

This course is part of the UIL’s educational programme and is curated by Dr Olesya Khromeychuk.

Course objectives:

• Introduce key lessons from Ukrainian history that help us tackle contemporary global challenges.

• Explore the diverse, multi-ethnic, and transnational aspects of Ukraine’s past, challenge myths, imperial narratives, and stereotypes.

• Create a space for reflection on the role of history in shaping identity, memory, and resistance.

Format and resources:

• A live online lecture.

• A moderated Q&A with the lecturer.

• All sessions recorded for on-demand access.

• Curated handbook of resources (book chapters, articles, podcasts, etc) in English.

• Optional discussion forum.

• Digital certificate of completion.

Dates:

8 weeks: 28 October – 16 December 2025
18:30 – 20:00 (London Time) 

The course will be held via Zoom and conducted in English.

Course structure:

Week 1 – Ukraine in Global History | Lecturer: Professor Yaroslav Hrytsak, Ukrainian Catholic University | Tue 28 October, 18:30 - 20:00 GMT

The seminar explores Ukraine’s position within wider European and global histories, examining how the country’s past was shaped by and contributed to larger political, economic, and cultural currents.

Week 2 – Statehood | Lecturer: Dr Olena Palko, University of Basel | Tue 4 November, 18:30 - 20:00 GMT

The seminar examines the formation and evolution of Ukrainian statehood, highlighting lessons for democratic institution-building and civic identity.

Week 3 – Genocide | Lecturer: Professor Eugene Finkel, Johns Hopkins University | Wed 12 November, 18:30 - 20:00 GMT

The seminar examines the violence against civilians carried out by Russian authorities and troops in the occupied areas of Ukraine and the applicability of legal terms such as genocide and crimes against humanity..

Week 4 – Imperialism | Lecturer: Professor Serhii Yekelchyk, University of Victoria | Tue 18 November, 18:30 - 20:00 GMT

The seminar explores the legacies of imperial rule in Ukrainian lands and considers how it continues to shape our understanding of state relations and national identity.

Week 5 – Occupation | Lecturer: Dr Olena Stiazhkina, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine 
| Tue 25 November, 18:30 - 20:00 GMT

The seminar focuses on periods of occupation in the 20th and 21st centuries, discussing strategies of survival, negotiation, and resistance.


Week 6 – Citizenship | Lecturer: Dr Oxana Shevel, Tufts University
| Tue 2 December, 18:30 - 20:00 GMT

The seminar will explore how the institution of citizenship has developed in Ukraine from the late Soviet period to the present day, and how it has shaped the trajectories of state- and nation-building.

Week 7 – Resistance | Lecturer: Dr Mariia Shynkarenko, Institute for Human Sciences (Vienna) | Tue 9 December, 18:30 - 20:00 GMT

This seminar examines political identity, nationalism, and minority rights under imperial and authoritarian rule. It focuses on the historical and contemporary experiences of the Crimean Tatars as a case study in civic resistance.

Week 8 – Ideas of Ukraine | Lecturer: Dr Volodymyr Yermolenko, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
 | Tue 16 December, 18:30 - 20:00 GMT

The concluding seminar reflects on how Ukrainian intellectuals—past and present—have shaped ideas of freedom, identity, and democracy, and discuss how historical visions of Ukraine can inspire responses to today’s challenges and generate ideas for the country’s future.

Course coordinator: Olga Sydorushkina, Ukrainian Institute London, [email protected]. 

Fees

Early bird discount available until 7 September!

Full course: £260 general (£180 student) — includes a Certificate of Completion, and full course materials.
One seminar: £35 general (£25 student) — includes course materials and video recording for the seminar attended.

Friends and Benefactors of the Institute are also eligible for a discount. Please check your emails for the checkout code.
Full course: £236 general (£162 student).
One seminar: £31.50 general (£22.50 student).

How to enrol

Click Register to the right to sign up for the full course, or browse individual seminars here.
Should you have any queries, please email us at [email protected]. We will aim to respond within five working days.