The Great Patriotic War is the main historical event for constructing a common identity for Russians. This course, which might have been called “Memory of the War,” explores both state memory politics and popular commemorative practices regarding the years 1941-1945 in the post-war USSR and contemporary Russia. We will analyze materials from oral histories, written primary sources, works of art, archival documents. Themes for discussion will include art and propaganda of the years 1941-1955, evolution of the military memorial, memories of “children of the war”, the war on the screen, “the immortal regiment” and other forms of memory about the war. Each topic will conclude with a roundtable discussion or presentation of individual creative works