In this course, students will learn about a different historically significant Russian Rurik Dynasty ruler each lesson. Students will learn about the life of the leaders life, how they reigned, tyrannical acts (if applicable), and the reasons why they achieved their historically significant status. We will begin with the founder of the Rurik dynasty and end with the most scandalous ruler of Rurik rulers, Ivan the Terrible. Throughout the class, we will discuss as a group on whether the particular leader was Good, Great, or Terrible- or perhaps, both. This will be a fun course for anyone interested in History and story-telling, as we will discuss more than just historical dates but also how these leaders truly lived including secrets, mysteries, scandal, and ruthlessness.

1. Rurik (c. 830 – 879)- Founder of Rurik Dynasty
2. Olga of Kiev (c.890 – 969)- Olga the Wise
3. Vladimir the I (c. 958 – 1015)- Vladimir the Great
4. Yaroslav I (c. 978 – 1054)- Yaroslav the Wise
5. Alexander Nevsky (1221 – 1263)- Alexander the Protector
6. Ivan I (1288 – 1340)- Ivan Kalita
7. Dmitriy Donskoi (12 October 1350–19 May 1389)- Dmitiry of the Don
8. Vasily II (10 March 1415–27 March 1462)- Vasily the Dark
9. Ivan III (22 January 1440– 6 November 1505)- Ivan the Great
10. Ivan IV (25 August 1530–28 March 1584)- Ivan the Terrible

My classes are a mix of lecture and discussion. I like to create a class environment which is a place of dialogue and discussion. 

Each class will consist of a powerpoint presentation pdf, which is posted at the end of each class. Additionally, homework worksheets/questions will be posted for students to complete. At the beginning of each lesson, we will go over the questions collectively as a class in order to review each empire studied thoroughly. I also will post sources (interesting books, films) as recommendations for students to read if they would like to further their knowledge on these major empires.