Historical Thinking Courses: How to Choose the Best Option
You’re probably thinking, “Why would I spend my free time studying history?” Okay, fair—and I’ve totally been there too. Sitting through dry lectures about stuffy old kings isn’t exactly thrilling.
But what if I told you there are history courses that actually make sense, feel relevant, and might even land you a cool career? Stick around, because I’ve rounded up the best ones out there that’ll change how you see history.
Ready for courses you’ll actually enjoy? Let’s get into it.
Key Takeaways
- Pick courses that train historical thinking skills such as analyzing sources and making logical connections instead of just memorizing dates.
- Beginner-friendly platforms like Coursera offer structured courses from respected universities (UC Berkeley, University of Virginia) to build analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Free courses from Harvard can give solid training in historical thinking, but set a firm schedule to stay motivated.
- “The Classical Historian – Ancient History” offers engaging videos plus practical activities perfect for developing analytical and writing skills.
- These courses build useful career skills applicable to fields like teaching, journalism, and public relations, making you more attractive to employers.
Top Historical Thinking Courses
If you’re serious about sharpening your history chops, choosing the right course can make all the difference. Historical thinking courses train you to question, connect, analyze, and interpret historical events in ways you might never have learned in high school. For a strong start, you can opt for structured courses that not only teach history but also how historians actually approach their research.
One excellent resource to explore is Coursera, which offers beginner-friendly courses designed by credible professors from reputable universities. For instance, the University of California, Berkeley integrates practical historical thinking tools into their lessons, helping students learn historical methods effectively instead of just memorizing dates. Another cool option is to check out free courses provided by Harvard University, especially if you’re strapped for cash, giving you the top-notch insights and historical reasoning without spending a dime.
But hey, don’t just jump in and start any course—take a minute to compare online course platforms to find which one fits your learning style and needs best. The right platform will make your learning experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Learn from Coursera – The Modern World, Part One: Global History from 1760 to 1910
If you’re keen on understanding our world around you, Coursera’s “The Modern World, Part One” from the University of Virginia is top-notch. This course covers a critical period (1760 to 1910), when revolutions, empires, and industry reshaped global society. And trust me, it’s not dull textbook stuff—the lessons explain historical events through the eyes of actual residents, soldiers, factory workers, and politicians.
The beauty of this course isn’t just that you’re learning history—you’re learning how to think historically by examining primary sources like letters, diaries, newspaper articles, and photographs. A useful tip if you’re going for the Coursera option: make sure to participate in peer discussions to spark new ideas and cement your knowledge. And here’s a good method: each lesson gives clear learning outcomes, so keep a notebook to jot those down as you go. This way, you’re actively remembering more than just names and battle dates—you’re truly getting a grasp of historical thinking.
Take Coursera – The Modern World, Part Two: Global History since 1910
Once you’re done with Part One and you’ve got the hang of applying historical thinking, you can move onto Coursera’s “The Modern World, Part Two,” again through the University of Virginia. This course digs into global history starting from 1910 onward, encompassing World Wars, Cold War dynamics, decolonization, and the modern digital age. It’s a great follow-up because it shows how recent events still shape the world we live in today.
Here’s a pro tip: use the assignments as practice for your new historical thinking skills by connecting the dots between causes and effects of historical developments. Also, you might find it helpful to build your own timeline as you go along, pinpointing key events to visualize and remember connections better. By actively engaging with the material this way, you can truly absorb ideas without cramming content for hours before a test. This approach helps in understanding not only “what” happened but “why” it happened—which is practically the core idea behind historical thinking.
Explore Free History Courses at Harvard University
If you’re eager to learn historical thinking without spending cash, Harvard University’s free history courses could be exactly what you’re looking for.
These classes let you get familiar with historical thinking methods alongside top Harvard professors, covering diverse topics like ancient civilizations, World War II, or even cultural revolutions.
One handy tip is to set a specific weekly schedule because free self-paced classes need a bit more personal discipline to keep engagement high.
Another good idea is to take detailed notes during lectures, paying close attention to how historians structure their arguments based on primary sources, which will improve your historical thinking.
Consider The Classical Historian – Ancient History Online Course
If ancient history sparks your curiosity, you might want to look into The Classical Historian’s Ancient History Online Course.
This course combines beginner-friendly video lessons with interactive, practical activities designed to develop your historical analysis or critical thinking skills.
A smart tip here: don’t skip the guided discussions and writing activities included in the curriculum—they aim directly at boosting skills like analyzing primary documents, comparing evidence, and crafting well-supported arguments.
To make your learning even more effective, practice summarizing the course videos in your own words, ensuring you stay actively engaged and improving retention.
Understand Skills Gained and Career Opportunities
You might wonder why to take a historical thinking course and what exact skills you’d get—well, you’ll learn critical reading, analytical thinking, evaluating sources, and making logical connections.
These abilities are widely applicable in careers like teaching, journalism, law, public relations, or even content creation and instructional design—such as knowing how to write a lesson plan or effective teaching strategies.
Considering recent data, though, there’s been a slight decrease in undergraduate history enrollments (-2.7% in 2022–23), while overall undergraduate enrollments actually went up by 0.6%.
Since history enrollments took a dip, businesses and schools especially value applicants who showcase that they’ve gained historical thinking skills through focused courses and practical experience.
Summarize Key Features of Top Historical Thinking Courses
The best historical thinking courses all share some key qualities worth mentioning clearly: first, they prioritize skill-building rather than simply memorizing dates and names.
Top courses, such as UC Berkeley’s history offerings, frequently emphasize analyzing primary sources directly, training you to understand the perspectives from letters, photos, newspaper articles, and even personal accounts of past events.
Also, excellent historical thinking courses usually include interactive components—discussion forums, peer-reviewed writing, or project-based assessments—which emphasize active rather than passive learning.
A helpful tip is to browse user reviews or compare online course platforms carefully before deciding; your choice could significantly influence your learning experience and how well the course fits your preferences and schedule.
Encourage Enrollment in Historical Thinking Courses
Whether you’re into understanding today’s complex world or analyzing past civilizations to master skills valuable across career doors, enrolling in a historical thinking course can seriously boost your analytical and reasoning capabilities.
Given the data from the American Historical Association, enrollments dipped slightly—down 4.4% from 2019 to 2022—so you might stand out professionally by sharpening your critical thinking through tailored historical courses rather than general degrees alone.
A practical recommendation here is to try just one of the courses mentioned above or start with a free one to see if historical thinking really clicks for you.
If you ever plan to create courses or become an educator later, these courses will offer templates for educational video creation or tips on how to make a quiz for students, providing valuable stepping stones.
Bottom line, enrolling in these types of courses lets you build smart, relevant career skills, and shows employers your ability to think thoroughly and thoughtfully about complex information.
FAQs
Historical thinking courses prepare students for careers in education, museum curatorship, archival work, journalism, and historical research. They enhance skills such as critical analysis, writing clarity, evidence interpretation, and cultural awareness, beneficial across many professional fields.
Yes, Harvard University features multiple free online history courses covering various historical periods and topics. These opportunities allow learners to expand their knowledge conveniently without cost and receive high-quality educational resources from a prestigious university.
These Coursera courses fit well for students, educators, and history enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of historical global changes since 1760. They provide valuable context for contemporary issues through insightful analysis of key historical developments over time.
The Classical Historian Ancient History Course uniquely combines a structured approach to historical thinking with classical content. Students engage directly with primary sources, fostering critical thinking, source evaluation skills, and a deeper appreciation of foundational historical events and civilizations.