Russian 318 - RussianPoltcs,Law&Society

Since 2000, Russia has turned from a country reeling from a transition away from Communism to a strong state with a renewed sense of national identity and purpose. Yet there are important questions still to be asked and answered about where Russia is headed. This class will give students the analytical tools and the historical background to understand and intelligently debate and discuss the past, present and future of Russia. Students will gain a comprehensive view of both Western and Russian perspectives on Russia?s development over the past century and to look at both high politics and every-day life. This broad sweep will help with understanding the political, economic, legal and social patterns that we see today.