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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity by Stanford University

4.9
stars
3,155 ratings

About the Course

In this course we will seek to “understand Einstein,” especially focusing on the special theory of relativity that Albert Einstein, as a twenty-six year old patent clerk, introduced in his “miracle year” of 1905. Our goal will be to go behind the myth-making and beyond the popularized presentations of relativity in order to gain a deeper understanding of both Einstein the person and the concepts, predictions, and strange paradoxes of his theory. Some of the questions we will address include: How did Einstein come up with his ideas? What was the nature of his genius? What is the meaning of relativity? What’s “special” about the special theory of relativity? Why did the theory initially seem to be dead on arrival? What does it mean to say that time is the “fourth dimension”? Can time actually run more slowly for one person than another, and the size of things change depending on their velocity? Is time travel possible, and if so, how? Why can’t things travel faster than the speed of light? Is it possible to travel to the center of the galaxy and return in one lifetime? Is there any evidence that definitively confirms the theory, or is it mainly speculation? Why didn’t Einstein win the Nobel Prize for the theory of relativity? About the instructor: Dr. Larry Lagerstrom is the Director of Academic Programs at Stanford University’s Center for Professional Development, which offers graduate certificates in subjects such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, data mining, nanotechnology, innovation, and management science. He holds degrees in physics, mathematics, and the history of science, has published a book and a TED Ed video on "Young Einstein: From the Doxerl Affair to the Miracle Year," and has had over 30,000 students worldwide enroll in his online course on the special theory of relativity (this course!)....

Top reviews

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Jul 26, 2020

THANK YOU SO MUCH PROFESSOR FOR PUTTING THE CONCEPTS IN A SIMPLE AND ORGANIZED WAY. THE COURSE IS A REAL EYE OPENER FOR A SCIENCE ENTHUSIAST! LOOKING FORWARD TO JOIN YOUR NEW COURSES AND CONTENTS.

JK

Apr 1, 2017

I enjoyed this course very much. Professor Larry Randles Lagerstrom made a difficult subject easy to understand. Especially for a fellow who at 85 has forgotten a lot of what he learned in college.

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951 - 975 of 1,090 Reviews for Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity

By Walid H

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Feb 27, 2018

Excellent course.

By Per-Erik R

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Sep 6, 2017

Fantastic teacher

By Abdur R B

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Aug 6, 2017

Excellent course!

By Shannon

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Oct 19, 2024

best of the best

By Apeiron

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Oct 16, 2023

best course ever

By SIVA H

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Jul 11, 2021

Wonderful course

By sriram r

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Aug 27, 2018

very nice course

By Luis W

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May 31, 2018

Very interesting

By Victoria L

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Oct 13, 2017

Superb teaching.

By Santiago C P

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Jul 17, 2017

Excellent course

By Fábio B V d O

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Mar 2, 2017

Excelent course!

By Aditya U

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Jan 5, 2017

Amazing course!!

By Michael B

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Dec 29, 2016

Fantastic course

By Panagiotis V

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Aug 23, 2025

Excellent ! ! !

By Ankit S

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Apr 15, 2025

great knowledge

By CHENG H

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Sep 8, 2021

Very helpful 👍

By Daniel

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Oct 5, 2020

Simply amazing.

By Kumuka

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Jul 29, 2017

Simply awesome!

By Leonardo N

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Feb 4, 2024

greatest tutor

By Ivan V

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Apr 26, 2024

Great teacher

By Dr. M P K

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Jan 24, 2023

great teacher

By Edwin B

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Dec 28, 2022

great teacher

By AJISH P J

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Aug 4, 2021

SUPERB COURSE

By Thomas A

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Jul 27, 2021

Great course

By Stephen w

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May 4, 2018

Very educated