weekly
or for 10 classes
History 101 | 10 Most Tyrannical Rulers in History: Power, Cruelty, and Control
Ages 10-15
Live Group Course
New on Outschool
Live video meetings
2x per week, 5 weeks
2-10 learners per class
55 min
What's included
10 live meetings
9 hrs 10 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. includedAssessment
includedClass Experience
In this 5 week course, students will explore the lives and reigns of history's 10 most tyrannical rulers, examining their rise to power, brutal tactics, and the lasting impact of their rule. Class Structure: The class is interactive and dynamic, designed to engage students through a combination of lectures, discussions, slides, and video clips. We’ll begin each lesson with a brief lecture to introduce the ruler and historical context, followed by interactive discussions and activities to deepen understanding. Students will engage with videos and primary sources to analyze the decisions and actions of these rulers. Teaching Style & Interaction: My teaching style is engaging and inquiry-based, encouraging students to ask questions and explore different perspectives. I use a variety of visual aids, slides, and multimedia to illustrate key concepts and bring history to life. Expect interactive Q&A sessions and critical thinking challenges to make history both fun and educational.
Learning Goals
Identify and Analyze the Key Traits of Tyrannical Leaders – Understand the characteristics that defined ruthless rulers, including their leadership tactics, decision-making, and the consequences of their actions.Examine the Historical Context of Each Tyrant – Learn about the political, social, and cultural conditions that allowed these rulers to rise to power and maintain control over their empires.Syllabus
10 Lessons
over 5 WeeksLesson 1:
Ivan the IV/ "The Terrible"
Explore the life of Ivan the Terrible, Russia’s first tsar, and uncover his ruthless reign, massive reforms, and the terrifying legacy of his violent rule. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Vlad Tepes/ "The Impaler"
Discover the brutal history of Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler, and learn about his bloodthirsty tactics, notorious cruelty, and the true inspiration behind the Dracula legend. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Mao Zedong
Examine the life of Mao Zedong, China’s revolutionary leader, and explore his radical policies, devastating campaigns, and the profound impact of his totalitarian rule on Chinese history. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Joseph Stalin
Delve into the life of Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator, and explore his brutal purges, totalitarian regime, and the lasting effects of his reign on Soviet society and the world. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parental Guidance:
This class covers historical content that involves violence, cruelty, and sensitive topics such as warfare, executions, and oppressive regimes. Learners will explore the lives of tyrannical rulers known for their brutal tactics, including rulers like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Attila the Hun, which may include graphic descriptions of their actions and their impact on people. While all content is presented with educational intent, parents are encouraged to review the material and decide if it's suitable for their child.
There are no third-party tools or accounts required for this course, and no additional safety precautions are needed. The class will ensure that sensitive topics are approached with care, providing learners with a clear understanding of the historical context behind each tyrannical figure.
If a student expresses strong emotions or unsolicited opinions on a sensitive topic during class, I will respond with empathy and guide the discussion in a constructive direction. My approach will be:
Acknowledge Feelings Respectfully
-"I understand that this topic can bring up strong feelings, and it’s okay to have emotions about history."
Refocus on Learning Objectives
-"In this class, we focus on understanding history through facts and different perspectives. Let’s explore what happened and why it’s important to learn from it."
Encourage Respectful Discussion
-"Everyone is welcome to share their thoughts, as long as we remain respectful and listen to each other."
Provide a Safe Space
-If a student is particularly upset, I will reassure them: "If you ever need a break, that’s okay. Learning about history can be challenging, and we’re here to support each other."
Redirect If Necessary
-If the discussion veers off track or becomes too emotionally charged: "That’s an important perspective, but let’s bring our focus back to today’s lesson so we can learn as much as possible."
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Florescu, Radu R., and Raymond T. McNally. Dracula: Prince of Many Faces – His Life and His Times. Little, Brown and Company, 1989.
Treptow, Kurt W. Vlad III Dracula: The Life and Times of the Historical Dracula. Center for Romanian Studies, 2000.
Kershaw, Ian. Hitler: A Biography. W.W. Norton & Company, 2008.
Shirer, William L. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany. Simon & Schuster, 1960.
Montefiore, Simon Sebag. Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar. Knopf, 2003.
Kotkin, Stephen. Stalin: Paradoxes of Power, 1878–1928. Penguin Press, 2014.
Dikötter, Frank. Mao’s Great Famine: The History of China’s Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958-1962. Bloomsbury, 2010.
Chang, Jung, and Jon Halliday. Mao: The Unknown Story. Knopf, 2005.
Weatherford, Jack. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. Crown, 2004.
Man, John. Genghis Khan: Life, Death, and Resurrection. St. Martin’s Griffin, 2005.
Hochschild, Adam. King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1998.
Ewans, Martin. European Atrocity, African Catastrophe: Leopold II, the Congo Free State and Its Aftermath. Routledge, 2002.
Meet the teacher
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am a history professor with extensive expertise in world history, specializing in the study of tyrannical rulers and the impact of their reigns on global societies. I have taught this specific course on tyrannical rulers previously to hundreds of students, both in online settings and in classroom environments, using an interactive and engaging approach to bring history to life.
In addition to my academic background, I have years of experience teaching children and young adults, with a focus on making complex historical topics accessible and exciting. My teaching style encourages active participation, critical thinking, and the exploration of history from multiple perspectives. I ensure that all topics are presented with care, particularly when discussing sensitive or difficult content, fostering a safe and respectful learning environment.Reviews
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