About this Course

5,658 recent views

Welcome to Benjamin Franklin and His World! In this course, we explore the life of one of the United States’ most important historical figures. We examine Franklin’s early life growing up in the American colonies, his professional career as a printer and scientist, and his role in the American Revolution and the founding the United States as a new nation on the world stage.  
We will also confront the moral issues that complicate the legacy of Benjamin Franklin, such as his connection to slavery and the racism that was prevalent during his time. We’ll wrestle with how to evaluate Franklin in the present day as we examine his life through both a modern lens and the historical context in which he lived.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Beginner Level

Anyone with an interest in Benjamin Franklin and American History.

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Beginner Level

Anyone with an interest in Benjamin Franklin and American History.

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.8/5 (5 Ratings)

Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD

Diane v.S. Levy and Robert M. Levy University Professor

Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy

16,520 Learners

2 Courses

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Who Is Benjamin Franklin?

3 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 137 min), 6 readings

10 videos

Who is Benjamin Franklin?12mYoung Benjamin Franklin11mBenjamin Franklin as a Printing Apprentice and Budding Journalist12mFranklin in London13m18th Century British Colonies - Part 114m18th Century British Colonies - Part 211mFounder of an American Media Empire14mIn Conversation with Emma Hart about 18th Century - Part 124mIn Conversation with Emma Hart about 18th Century - Part 218mKeeping Your Own Moral Diary3m

6 readings

Course Overview15mMeet the Instructor10mFor January: Honoring Benjamin Franklin's Birthday10mWeek 1 Reflection Activity 10mMoral Diary - Activity Overview15mFranklin's List of Virtues10m

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Franklin's Professional Career

3 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 167 min), 2 readings

12 videos

Franklin’s Ethics and Plagiarism - Part 19mFranklin’s Ethics and Plagiarism - Part 211mFranklin's Family Life16mFranklin's Retirement from Printing8mFranklin's Civic Engagement14mFranklin the Politician11mIn Conversation with Patrick Spero - Part 123mIn Conversation with Patrick Spero - Part 213mFranklin the Inventor11mFranklin the Scientist, and his Growing Fame10mFranklin's Experiments in Electricity10mIn Conversation with Daniel Yoshor26m

2 readings

Week 2 Overview5mWeek 2 Reflection Activity20m

Week3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Revolution and a New Constitution

2 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 113 min), 2 readings

10 videos

The Seven Years' War12mEvents Leading to the Revolutionary War12mFranklin and the Hutchinson Letters13mEthics in the Hutchinson Letters Affair7mFranklin and the Continental Congress10mFranklin in Paris12mThe Constitutional Convention - Part 112mThe Constitutional Convention - Part 29mFranklin at the Constitutional Convention13mThe End of Franklin’s Life8m

2 readings

Week 3 Overview10mWeek 3 Reflection Activity20m

Week4

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Wrestling with Franklin's Legacy

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 94 min), 3 readings

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Benjamin Franklin and His World

Benjamin Franklin and His World

About this Course