Russia in Search of a National Idea

J. Pat Willerton
TUESDAYS 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
May 7, 14, 21, 28, 2013
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Russia in Search of a National Idea

Summer 2013
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TUESDAYS
9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
May 7, 14, 21, 28, 2013

Location: 

Main Campus

Contemporary Russia continues to search for a post-Soviet national identity:  what Russians refer to as their country’s “national idea.”  The return to the presidency of Vladimir Putin signifies that the country’s most historically significant leader since Stalin reassumes the decisive role as Russia continues to wrestle with its identity, sociopolitical goals, and position in the world community.  We focus on political system and institution building, elites, and socioeconomic change as we consider an emergent 21st -century Russian “national idea.”  The core concept of the “Russian soul” helps us focus on a new identity.

Contemporary Russia exhibits continuing revitalization and normalization, and we analyze these as we consider the priorities of the governing team and the preferences of the broader society.  Our group efforts to understand Russia’s evolution include not only political-institutional factors but fundamental cultural-historical elements.  Our judgments about a 21st -century national identity are set against the over 1,000-year history and experience of a sovereign Russia.
 

Required Reading: 

Professor Willerton is putting together a FastCopy package that will be available from the UA bookstore after May 1.

Meet Your Professor

Professor
School of Government and Public Policy

John P. (Pat) Willerton is a Professor of Political Science in the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona. His professional interests focus on Russia and other former Soviet Union (FSU) countries, with a book and over 60 articles and chapters dealing with Russian domestic politics and foreign policy. He has been visiting Russia since the Brezhnev period, with many of his undergraduate and graduate courses Russia-focused.

  • Ted and Shirley Taubeneck Superior Teaching Award

Location

Poetry Center
Dorothy Rubel Room
1508 E Helen
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States
Located on the SE corner of Helen Street and Vine Avenue, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell Ave.

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