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This course explores the nuances and key features of the Russian cultural-societal-historical experience often called “the Russian Soul.” Caught between East and West, Asia and Europe, and experiencing its own unique socioeconomic-political developmental experience, Russia continues on its one-of-a-kind historical odyssey that merits our careful attention. This four-week tour will illuminate various facets of the “Russian Soul” and Russian experience, drawing upon pre-Soviet, Soviet, and post-Soviet ideas and behavior. Together we will consider what Russians (then and now) view as “the good and moral person,” “the immoral person,” the just society, and the goals that a good and just society should promote. Since no two observers offer the same definition of the Russian Soul – and most serious observers struggle to even develop such a definition – none is offered here, nor is one definitively set out in our seminar. But many facets of the Russian Soul will be analyzed, and it is intended that every student will come away with an appreciation of the beauty, complexities, and challenges of engaging this national identity.

Tackling the Russian Soul arises out of the recently completed Fall 2019 HSP course, Tackling Putin’s Russia. However, this course is a stand-alone course; it builds upon, but does not duplicate, material set out in the Fall 2019 seminar.