COURSE SYLLABUS RS-110: Russia Today Instructor: Prof. Pashentsev Eugene N. Requirements Midterm exam:  In class, oral, (30% of final grade). Final paper: 5-7 pp. (50% of final grade); Class participation: Students will be expected to critically analyze and discuss the course texts (20% of final grade) during class sessions.  Prerequisites:  None, but historical material and complex concepts will be covered quickly. Number of Lectures: 15 Contact Hours per Lecture: 2-4 Total Contact Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Course Description This course provides insight into the history, economy and politics of Russia in the 20th century, covering major events and concepts such as the Great October Revolution, its roots and consequences, the formation of the Soviet State, participation of the country in the first and second World Wars, Perestroika and the development of modern Russia.  All of these have remarkably influenced the county’s life and its social, political and economic processes. The course then analyzes and focuses on many current controversial challenges of the Russian state, explaining their roots and effects as well as issues connected with them. Course Objective Students will come to understand Russia's complex and often unpredictable but fascinating development and where the country currently stands.  Required Reading Students are not required to purchase these books - the links are only for additional information. Perestroika: Its Rise and Fall. M. Davidow.  (International Publishers: NY), 1993 The First Socialist Society: A History of the Soviet Union from Within. G.A. Hosking. (Harvard University Press: Cambridge, MA), 1992  Politics, Work, and Daily Life in the USSR : A Survey of Former Soviet Citizens. J. Millar, ed. (Cambridge University Press: NY), 1987 Russia: A History. G. Freeze, ed., (Oxford University Press: Oxford), 1997 Class Schedule (Subject to Change) Meeting 1: Russia in the System of World Civilizations.      i. World Civilizations and Russia's Place among Them.      ii. Geographic, Demographic, and Historical Roots of Russian Civilization. Meeting 2: Russian Capitalism at the Beginning of the 20th Century. The Roots of Revolution, 1905-1907. 1h.      i. Development of Industry at the Beginning of the 20th Century.      ii. Changes in Russian Society. Meeting 3: Russia in World War I, 1914-1918.        i. The World on the Verge on the First World War. Political and Economic State of Russia.      ii. Russian Foreign Policy Before and During the First World War.        Meeting 4: From February to October, 1917.      i. Historical, Economic, and Political Roots of the Revolution      ii. Democracy in Russia – Real Opportunity or Illusion? Meeting 5: Social and Political Developments of Russia (The USSR) Between the Two World Wars.      i. Drastic Change in Economic and Social Sphere of Russia.      ii. The World's Attitude to Russia and Russia's Attitude to the World.    Meeting 6: The Great Patriotic War (WWII), 1941 -1945.      i. Major Events of the WWII - Thier Perception Under the Soviets and by Contemporary Society.      ii. Russian Foreign Policy - Enemies, Allies, and Competitors. The New Map of Europe. Meeting 7: Four Periods of the Evolution of the Bureaucratic System in Russia. The Roots and Social Character of Perestroika.      i. Burocracy in Russia - Its History, Evolution, and Role in the Development of Society.      ii. Perestroika, Development and Glasnost – the nature of these processes.      iii. Reformation of the Soviet state. Western Attitude to Russia's Changes. Meeting 8:  Vladimir Putin: The New Deal.      i. Boris Yeltsin. Structural Changes in Society. Transition from Socialism to Capitalism.      ii. V. V. Putin. New Trends in Domestic and Foreign Policy. Reinforcing the State. Relationships West and East. Meeting 9: The Political System of Contemporary Russia.           i. Overview of the Contemporary Russian Political System.      ii. Democracy in Russia: Opinions of Russian and Western Politicians.      Meeting 10: Problems of Societal and State Security.       i. The KGB's Role in the USSR and the FSB in modern Russia.      ii. Excursion to the FSB museum. Meeting 11: Corruption and its Roots.      i. Burocracy's Role in Developing Contemporary Russian Society      ii. The Fight against Corruption – The Roots and Effects of Corruption. Meeting 12: Russia and the World: the New Millennium.      i. The Modern Geopolitical State of Russia.      ii. Changes of the Last 20 Years - Perspectives and Trends.  Meeting 13: Finals. Take-home exam. Essay, 5-7 pages.