This course is a survey of the post-Soviet landscape. It explores the political, social, economic, and cultural terrain of Russia and the other states that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The course reviews Russian and Soviet history as keys to understanding the Former Soviet Union (FSU). It also uses a number of theoretical and conceptual tools to allow the student to grasp the complexity of the post-Soviet transition. The final block of instruction concerns U.S. relations with the region and the extent to which American policy can shape future developments in the FSU.
