FYE 101 - Putin’s Russia

It came as a shock to much of the world on February 24th of this year when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. But for those paying attention it was less of a surprise. Over the years, Putin has engaged in military conflict all over the world, has assassinated enemies both in and outside of his own country, and has meddled in the internal affairs of the United States and various European nations. His invasion of Ukraine was simply the continuation of a war started in 2014. Furthermore, Putin’s rise fits into a broader wave in populist movements that can be seen in Hungary, Poland, Italy, Britain, and the United States. In this class we will examine the history of Putin’s rise to power, the cultural environment it has produced, and the furtive democratic moments that have risen to meet it. Among other things we’ll look at the fall of the Soviet Union, the rise of Vladimir Putin, Russia’s political meddling, Pussy Riot, Alexei Navalny, and of course the invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine.

Credits 1

Compass Attributes
First Year Experience