Free History Courses & Certifications

The Sr.Secondary: History (315) Training is a massive open online course that introduces learners to the nature and different phases of Indian culture and human civilizations. The course provided on the senior secondary level is coordinated by Prof Dr. Azmat Noori of the National Institute of Open Schooling. The course includes 5 core modules and 1 optional module wherein the students can choose from the topics evolution of state or culture in India.

The Sr.Secondary: History (315) Certification Course has a duration of 24 weeks and is delivered through the interactive and engaging platform of Swayam. After completing the course and concluding all course steps, learners will get a Sr.Secondary: History (315) Certification by NIOS and Swayam. The course in history will help learners understand the social, economic, religious, and cultural development of India through different historical phases.

The course Visualizing Imperialism & the Philippines, 1898-1913 by Edx operates on innovative training methods by way of visual records through which the candidates will be able to understand the concepts of the evolution of history at the turn of the 20th century. The course ensures candidates learn the methods of understanding key visual references and apply the techniques to enhance the learning process.

The course will revolve around the primary concepts of history involving the themes of civilization and imperial wars which tended to explain the theme of humanity and barbarism. The candidates will learn about the historical debates that were seen in political cartoons. The course addresses the issues of race and bias in photography as well as cartooning.

The course has a discursive and exploratory type of training that would be set up in the form of a roundtable discussion structure of the course. This course will introduce the candidates to numerous backgrounds relating to the revolution of history in the 20th-century era. The students will be able to choose any track like audit or verified to complete learning the course. These tracks allow self-paced progress of the course though during the audit track course access is limited but free. Again during the verified track, access for the students is paid but unlimited.

The Ancient Greek Hero course is being provided by edX in collaboration with Harvard University. It has been designed to provide the learners' exposure to Greek literature and culture. Participants can explore the literature and heroes of ancient Greece with the Homeric Iliad and Odyssey, the dialogues of Plato, the tragedies of Sophocles and many more.

Participants will gain knowledge about some of the beautiful works of ancient Greek literature and song-making spread for more than thousand years from the 8th century BCE till the 3rd century CE: the Homeric Iliad and Odyssey, Sophocles, and Euripides, songs of Sappho and Pindar, tragedies of Aeschylus, dialogues of Plato, and On Heroes by Philostratus. The course material has been designed to be easily accessible and transformative for a wide range of participants. Participants will be given access to a supportive learning community that showcases the methodology for "reading out" of ancient texts. These techniques will allow the participants having little or even no experience in this subject matter to see this literature as a magnificent and perfected system of communication. 

The candidates may choose any one of the tracks available to learn the course, one is the verified track and the other is the audit track. Both the tracks are self-paced but during the audit period, the course can be accessed only for a limited period. Whereas during the verified track, the course is open to be accessed for an unlimited period.

The Plato, Socrates, and the Birth of Western Philosophy course is being provided and instructed by edX and the Tsinghua University. It has been built to give the learners an in-sight into the origins of the western philosophy. 

Participants of this course will study and analyse the works of Aristotle, Plato, Heraclitus and other originators of Western philosophy in a comprehensive study of ancient Roman and Greek philosophers. This will enable the participants to build a strong grasp of the basic spirit of the Western philosophy. They will be trained to inculcate deeper thinking abilities, explore noble values, and learn to examine the world around them in different ways. They will develop a new perspective towards their surroundings. They will understand the concept and history of philosophy, religion and culture. They will learn about the society, the culture, the rules, the traditions that prevailed during the ancient times and the factors that gave birth to this philosophy.

A Global History of Architecture Certification Course equips learners with limitless opportunities to acquire a larger-than-life experience of looking through the lens of history and historical architecture with its variations. Beginning with First Societies and proceeding with the 16th century, the curriculum enwraps all the valuable learnings of architectural history. This course is not intended to run as a linear narrative but with a more global adaptation of concepts with a stressed focus on different architectural instances.

Through the programme pedagogy, course participants will learn about the impact of the introduction of iron in the 9th century BCE on the development of architecture and regional politics. They will also acknowledge how newly found and developed religions like Hinduism and Buddhism bore new architectural understandings by and large in society. The course is self-paced but can be accessed only for a limited period during the audit track.

Each lecture imparted by an experienced pedagogue deals with architectural transformation arising from a dynamic cultural symbolism. The course material covered in lectures will be supplemented by additional readings from the textbook- "A Global History of Architecture" which would hone the textual knowledge of candidates and help them revisit what they have learned through modules. Lastly, the verified certification would make up a great addition to the learner's resume.

Literati China: Examinations, Neo-Confucianism, and Later Imperial China course by edX is part of an XSeries Program focused on the exploration of China’s history. This course enables candidates to see China’s awakening in the 19th century through the 21st-century intellect. It gives information about China’s history, neo-Confucianism, the imperial period, and the exam system government. 

The course also lets the participants explore the 8th and 11th-century resources available in China along with urbanization & the state atrocities, China’s reconfiguration of vigor. Literati China: Examinations, Neo-Confucianism, and Later Imperial China focus on imparting information relating to the rich culture and prized moral autonomy of the Chinese. It teaches what changes Tang-Sang brought to China and how a new kind of Confucianism took place.

Hence, this course allows candidates to gain an alternative and exciting worldview and global awareness. It teaches how the key to knowing China today is by unlocking ancient China. There are 2 tracks for this course when opting for enrollment. One is Verified Track which offers unlimited access. The other is Audit Track, the price of which is free but this self-paced version is only accessible for a limited period.

The Introduction to Cultural Studies online course deals with culture by drawing on psychology, political theory, and various other disciplines. From defining culture to looking at culture through different lenses, the program approaches cultural identities as socially constructed categories. This course also investigates culture from the perspective of identity, authority, and knowledge. 

The Introduction to Cultural Studies certification syllabus includes essential terms and concepts like Homi Baba'sThe other question’, George Orwell'sShooting an elephant’, Bell Hooks ‘Understanding patriarchy’, Judith Butler'sGender Trouble’ and much more. Students also receive rich downloadable materials and a list of books to use as references for further studies.  

Taught by Dr. Avishek Parui, from IIT Madras, the Introduction to Cultural Studies online course is engaging and helps candidates develop a holistic perspective to the concept of culture. The online program also gives regular assignments to help students improve and evaluate their progress.

Modern Indian political thought is an intriguing topic of academic discussions and arguments. The Introduction to Modern Indian Political Thought program by SWAYAM is a 12-week-long course that aims to teach the concepts related to Indian politics and its society as a whole. Learners will analyze numerous opinions and sets of intellectual conventions in modern India that continue to resonate in our contemporary politics.

The Introduction to Modern Indian Political Thought certification course is crafted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. It acquaints the students to some of the most influential Indian thinkers. Also, candidates will understand how their ideas and vision helped define the political and social landscape of modern India, with the help of Professor Mithilesh Kumar Jha.

The Introduction to Modern Indian Political Thought training also discusses some of today’s political challenges, including democracy, nationalism, caste, secularism, and cosmopolitanism. This elective course also provides an e-certificate when candidates undertake SWAYAM’s test and fulfill the specific eligibility criteria.

The Introduction to Political Ideologies: Contexts, Ideas, and Practices online course is designed to teach how political membership, human action, ideas of state, and human nature are rooted in political events and activities. The esteemed Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has put together this program. It is also an FDP course approved by the AICTE.

The Introduction to Political Ideologies certification course also enables learners to form reasoned judgments about political incidents and events. A wide range of ideas and contexts will be discussed throughout the course. These include Marxism, Fascism, Ecologism, Liberalism, Nationalism, and more.

The Introduction to Political Ideologies: Contexts, Ideas, and Practices program by SWAYAM is a 12-week-long online course that delivers knowledge through theories and practical examples. The students will deeply understand the political ideologies in the light of recent or current events like social developments, court rulings, or significant policies. The training is provided at the postgraduate/undergraduate study level.

The Modern Indian Writing In Translation online course belongs to the Department of Humanities and Social sciences and is suitable for undergraduates as well as postgraduate students. The programme covers the information regarding Indian literature, its history, works in different regional languages, modern aspects of Indian literature, etc. Candidates who pursue this course will get to know about modernism, literary traditions, regionalism, and many more relevant topics. The course is offered by IIT, Madras.

Candidates will be provided with reference for external reading and study material by the platform. Participants can appear for the Modern Indian Writing In Translation certification exam if they seek to achieve a certificate upon the completion of the programme. The exam will be conducted in offline mode by the creator of the course and students will have to register themselves for the same by paying the exam fees. Candidates are free to go for a detailed learning experience and take as much time as required to sufficiently complete the Modern Indian Writing In Translation certification syllabus. The course does not require any specific timetable and is a self-paced course. The online programme includes case studies, tests, assignments, discussions, and activities for students to get a better understanding of the topics.

The International Trade - Theory and Empirics certification course provide a theoretical and analytical framework to understand recent policy changes and trade strategies. The programme goes over a lot of empirical evidence, along with topics like the pure theory of trade, gains from trade, and the basis of trade. Various advanced-level ideas on trade barriers and strategies are also incorporated.

Moreover, the International Trade - Theory and Empirics programme syllabus discusses various aspects of trade protectionism in the context of the tariff, quota, and subsidies. The latest non-tariff measures such as SPSs and TBTs are also glossed over. AICTE has approved this programme as an FDP (Faculty Development Programme) course.

The International Trade - Theory and Empirics online training are instructed by Prof. Pratap C. Mohanty, who hails from the esteemed IIT Roorkee. He curates and teaches all the video lectures provided. Lastly, upon completion, you can earn an e-certificate from Swayam, provided that you have submitted all the assignments diligently and cleared the final exam.

Structured as a core course The Nineteenth-Century English Novel training will be providing comprehensive knowledge about nineteenth-century novel-writing techniques. The Nineteenth-Century English Novel certification syllabus will be introducing the registered student to the features of novel-writing in nineteenth-century Britain. 

The Nineteenth-Century English Novel certification benefits the students by providing the students with a close study of the significant novels namely- Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, Jane Austen’s Persuasion, and R.L.Stevenson A Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyd. Students after completing the online course on The Nineteenth-Century English Novel by Swayam the applicants will be able to understand the nature of the plots that are being used and they will also be learning about the complexities that very involved with respect to the relation in the cultural and social impulses of the nineteenth century period.

The Philosophy of Gandhi Certification Course is a massive open online course focusing on the great philosophical ideas of the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The course attempts to provide a detailed glimpse into Gandhi's philosophies and unique ways of living.

The Philosophy of Gandhi course offered by Swayam is a 4 credit course coordinated by Prof. Anurag Joshi of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi. The course is taught at the postgraduate level through interesting and informative videos by experts in the field.

The Philosophy of Gandhi Online Course covers vital aspects regarding the faith and ideology of Gandhi in various spheres of life. It discusses Gandhi's view of religion, human life, and modern civilization. The course will help students who are basing their career in  Humanities and Social Sciences and Political Science.

The ‘Introduction to Western Political Thought’ online course is an elective course provided on the Swayam online educational platform. This training program is developed and offered by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati in association with the National Program for Technology Enhanced Learning. 

The western political thought course is instructed by Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Jha, from the department of humanities and social sciences in IIT Guwahati teaching political science. The course deals with the significant philosophers and their ideologies that influenced and shaped western political thought. The training is conducted for twelve weeks and is a part of the humanities and social sciences categorization. The ‘Introduction to Western Political Thought’ is a faculty development program approved by the All India Council for Technical Education. The students of this course will build a strong theoretical foundation of western political ideas and will gain three credit points after the course completion.

The Tangible Things certification programme by EdX is a humanities course on the functioning of museums, libraries and other historical and scientific collections. You will learn how historians, curators, preservationists and archivists do their jobs. The course aims to discover and study how material objects have helped shape academic disciplines and have challenged or reinforced boundaries between people. 

Offered by Harvard University, the Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens and the Stuff Around You discipline is taught by top Harvard University faculty like Sara Schechner, Ivan Gaskell and Laurel Thatcher Ulrich and visiting faculty like Sarah Carter from The School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Harvard University houses some of the fascinating items which will help the students understand the importance and power of learning through tangible things. 

The Tangible Things programme by EdX is an online programme, the course materials of which will be available to the enrolled candidates completely free of cost. But, while taking the course free of cost, the learners will be provided access to the course only for a limited duration. It is a ten-week programme and classes will be held 1-3 hours per week. A certificate of achievement will be available to the candidates upon completion of the course when taking the programme by paying the fee. 

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. 

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.

English Literature of the Romantic Period, 1798-1832 online course is an elective programme that falls under the ‘Humanities and Social Sciences’ and ‘English Studies’ subject categories. The programme is a joint collaboration by the University of Hyderabad, Swayam’s learning platform, and NPTEL. Furthermore, this is an FDP training approved by the AICTE that focuses on students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

The English Literature of the Romantic Period, 1798-1832 certification syllabus will introduce you to the Romantic age of English Literature. The course explores various Romanticism elements that include socio-cultural backgrounds, politics, aesthetics, sentiment and ecology through different romantic prose. As the programme does not have any prerequisites, you don't require any previous knowledge of the subject matter to enrol. 

The English Literature of the Romantic Period online programme also provides an e-certificate to those who qualify for the final exam and fulfil all the eligibility requirements. As this is a free course by Swayam, you only have to pay the exam fee to gain the certification.

The Indian Business History online course covers the periods of Indian history from the 17th century to the 21st-century business economy developments. The evolutionary perspective of Indian business history will be covered. The nature of Indian business policies will be analyzed and its historical background will be shown to the candidates. India’s relations with foreign countries and how they shaped the Indian economy will also be analyzed. 

Students from diverse backgrounds can learn from this course. The program is a government initiative wherein the entire program can be completed in 8 weeks. The program is offered via Swayam. Being a free learning programme, the people from weaker sections can get benefitted from the programme. The Indian Business History certification can be shared via Facebook, Linkedin, and other methods. The certification can be shared to gain new professional networks. The certification will benefit research-based work needs, career growth and academic recognition.

The Introduction to Modern Indian Drama training is an online programme that provides all its learnings at zero cost. Candidates who enrol for this programme get to know about the historical theatre practices, political issues, and its development with the passage of time. The course provides a postgraduate level of training to the students and is provided by the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. The Introduction to Modern Indian Drama certification course does not have any time limits and can be joined by students as per their convenient time slot. The programme will be delivered via online mode wherein the candidates will be given activities such as assignments, tests, debates, etc.

Candidates can pursue this programme as per their available time slot to complete Introduction to Modern Indian Drama certification syllabus but the mentor or guide will be able to complete the same in only 8 weeks. The platform does not demand any extra payment in order to gain extra access to the course. Candidates will be able to achieve a certificate for the course if they wish to do so. The Introduction to Modern Indian Drama programme needs the candidate to go through the payment of the exam fees and an offline examination to be able to get certified for the course. This is a self paced course and can be accessed when the duration of the course has expired and students can learn from the programme on their own.

Philosophical Foundations of Social Research program indulges in the nature of social science inquiry. The course covers many topics, such as the philosophy of science, ontology, epistemology, and applications in different areas. At the end of the course, participants will be familiar with the plurality of views in the intellectual community, applications of the philosophy of science in social sciences, analyze issues in social sciences, and practice scholarly discussions. 

Philosophical Foundations of Social Research certification is an elective course in humanities and social sciences with no enrolment fee or prerequisites. It is an online undergraduate/postgraduate course that any interested candidates can join. The course is the result of a collaboration between IIT Guwahati and NPTEL. This AICTE approved FDP course will be taught by professor Sambit Mallick. 

Philosophical Foundations of Social Research is an eight-week-long course with an e-certificate available for candidates. Participants will be given periodic assignments to evaluate their progress. A list of books is also available on the website for any additional studying.

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 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 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 Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World Certification Course is a 100% online course that explores the historical significance of the Arabic Medieval World. The history course available on the Coursera platform has a flexible structure that is convenient for candidates. The course will take the candidates to the Middle Ages and marketplaces of Cairo along with historiographical debates.

The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World Training will be led by Prof Dr. Petra Sijpesteijn of Leiden University. The course will be taught through video lectures, reading materials, and engaging practice exercises to enhance the knowledge of learners. Once all course procedures are completed, candidates will receive The Cosmopolitan Medieval Arabic World Certification by Coursera and Leiden University.

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.

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. 

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.