This course explores the history of the Soviet Union from its birth as a utopian experiment in October 1917 to its final collapse, under the weight of institutionalized corruption, bureaucratic inertia, and political repression, in December 1991. Through the extensive use of original documents, literary and artistic works, and artifacts of popular culture, the course examines the major political, cultural, and social events that contributed to the rise and fall of the Soviet Empire. While emphasis will be given to the fundamental issue of the nature and evolution of Soviet political culture, the course will also explore essential social and artistic transformations that helped to shape the Soviet experience.

 

About this Web Site: Soviet History is part of the network of sites comprising Scott Palmer’s On-line Knowledge Emporium™ (SPOKE™). It is the central hub and on-line repository for browsing materials, media resources, instructional policies, the class blog, and other virtual information specifically related to the meat-world course of the same name. If you are among the lucky masses currently enrolled in “Stalinism: Culture and Civilization,” this site contains all of the course-related information you will require during the semester. Please be sure to check-in regularly during the semester as the contents of this site will be updated on a frequent basis.