20th Century Russia: Facts, Figures, Texts

The course will immerse students into the history of Russia from the Bolshevik revolution to the end of the 20th century thus spanning the Soviet period and the “turbulent 1990s” of new Russia. Every decade of the period will be looked at from two angles. Students will learn about the main historical developments of the period, and, at the same time, will be introduced to the most memorable movies, songs, slogans, inventions, and other significant aspects of everyday life, which still define the given period in the eyes of present-day Russians. Emphasis will be made on finding references to relevant events and cultural phenomena in today’s mass media and analyzing the significance of these references. Students will be expected to watch and read a substantial amount of material at home, while classroom sessions will be mostly dedicated to discussions.