GSC2503

Russian politics

David Schmitt

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Gippsland and distance
* Prerequisites: GSC1503 and GSC1504 or equivalents

Objectives Students who successful complete this subject will have an understanding of the outlines of modern Russian history, the nature of Russian society and its political culture. They will gain insights into the nature of revolutions in the Russian context, the failure of communism and the complexities of rapid and disruptive economic and social change that is occurring in Russia in circumstances where governments are struggling to attain legitimacy and success at the same time.

Synopsis A brief study of nineteenth-century Russia; the impact of Marxism; the Bolshevik Revolution and the consolidation of Bolshevism; social and economic forces of change; the thoughts and personalities of Lenin, Stalin, and Stalin's critics. The post-Stalin era, and the structure and functioning of mature soviet society, institutions, politics and dissent. The Soviet Union as a `great power'. The Gorbachev era. The break up of the Soviet Union. Various approaches to the study of the Soviet Union and Russia. Russian economy, politics and society.

Assessment Tutorial paper: Oral presentation (500 words); Written presentation (1500 words): 30%
* Research essay (2000 words): 30%
* Examination (2 hours): 40%

Prescribed texts

Sakwa R Russian politics and society Routledge, 1993
Westwood J N Endurance and endeavour Russian history 1812-1992 4th edn, OUP, 1993