Understanding Post Soviet Space from Udemy

Hello, and welcome to understanding the Post-Soviet Space course.

In this course we will cover:

The history of the formation of the Former USSR.
How the USSR developed through the years.
What were the causes of the USSR’s collapse.
How different countries formed and why they are so different from each other.
Current events that are shaping the future of Post-Soviet countries and the rest of the world.

The course will include personal stories and personal points of view on the past and present situations of the Post-Soviet states. In this course, we focus especially on explaining how different ethnic, cultural, and national groups affected the collapse of the former USSR.

From more authoritarian countries like Turkmenistan that can be compared to North Korea to countries like Estonia introducing a new form of digital democracy and where political and civil rights are widely respected, we will explore different drivers that have influenced the development of new countries and why they took such different paths from each other.

Finally, we will discuss the challenges of rising authoritarianism in Belarus and Russia, current events in and around Ukraine, and why these developments are so important not only for future of these countries, but how they might affect the rest of the world.

What's inside

Learning objectives

History of the post-soviet union
What shaped the new countries after the separation of the ussr

What were the challenges and the drivers of the post-soviet countries
Challenges of civil peace building post ussr

History of the post-soviet union
What shaped the new countries after the separation of the ussr
What were the challenges and the drivers of the post-soviet countries
Challenges of civil peace building post ussr

Syllabus

Introduction

Get to know the instructor

Course overview

This is for you if...

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what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines the collapse of the USSR and the divergent paths of post-Soviet states, which is highly relevant for understanding contemporary geopolitics

Explores the challenges of rising authoritarianism in Belarus and Russia, offering insights into current events and their global implications

Includes personal stories and perspectives on the past and present situations of the Post-Soviet states, adding a unique dimension to the historical analysis

Discusses the evolution of violent conflict in the Post-Soviet states, which may be useful for students interested in conflict resolution and international relations

Requires learners to engage with YouTube videos comparing Estonia and Turkmenistan, which may not be accessible to all learners due to bandwidth limitations

Focuses on explaining how different ethnic, cultural, and national groups affected the collapse of the former USSR, which may oversimplify complex historical processes

Reviews summary

Insightful post-soviet region overview

According to learners, this course offers an insightful and comprehensive overview of the post-Soviet space. Students found the blend of historical context and current events particularly valuable for understanding the complexities of the region today. The instructor's personal perspectives and stories are frequently highlighted as a unique and enriching aspect, making the often-dense material more accessible and engaging. While generally seen as a strong foundation, some learners noted that the course serves as an overview and may require further study for deep dives into specific countries. Overall, reviews indicate a largely positive experience, especially for those seeking to understand the historical roots of contemporary challenges.

Excellent introduction, broad rather than deep.

"This course is a great starting point for understanding the vast and complex post-Soviet space."

"Provides a broad understanding across different countries and themes, perfect as an initial exploration."

"It's a comprehensive overview rather than a deep dive into any single country, which suited my needs."

"While it covers a lot, I know I'll need to research specific countries more for in-depth knowledge."

Provides a solid foundation in the region's history.

"Understanding the history was crucial, and this course explains the formation and collapse of the USSR very well."

"The historical background provided really helped me grasp the current situation in the post-Soviet states."

"It lays a solid foundation on the USSR's development and collapse, which is essential context."

Strong connection to today's events.

"The sections discussing current events, particularly Ukraine and Russia, felt incredibly relevant and timely."

"It helped me understand the historical roots of the complex conflicts happening in the region today."

"Connecting the history to contemporary challenges and future uncertainties was very insightful and practical."

Instructor's personal insights are highly valued.

"The instructor's personal insights were incredibly valuable and added so much depth to the material."

"His unique perspective made the complex history come alive and was truly enriching."

"Hearing his personal stories really helped connect the theoretical knowledge to real-world experiences."

"I appreciated the instructor's willingness to share his own point of view on these topics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Understanding Post Soviet Space with these activities:

Review Key Figures in Soviet History

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Reviewing key figures will provide a stronger foundation for understanding the political and ideological landscape of the USSR.

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Research each leader's background and key policies.
Summarize their impact on the Soviet Union.

Read 'Secondhand Time' by Svetlana Alexievich

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Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the human cost of the USSR's collapse and the challenges faced by post-Soviet societies.

View Last Witnesses: An Oral History of the Children... on Amazon

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Read the book, taking notes on key themes and perspectives.
Reflect on how the personal stories relate to the course material.

Create a Timeline of Key Events

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Creating a timeline will help solidify your understanding of the chronological order of events leading to the collapse of the USSR and the formation of post-Soviet states.

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Research key events from the course syllabus.
Create a visual timeline using online tools or software.
Add brief descriptions of each event's significance.

Four other activities

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Write a Blog Post on Current Events

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Writing a blog post will encourage you to stay informed about current events in the post-Soviet space and analyze their significance in light of the course material.

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Choose a current event related to the post-Soviet space.
Research the event and its background.
Write a blog post explaining the event and its implications.

Review 'The Soviet Mind' by Isaiah Berlin

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Reviewing this book will provide a deeper understanding of the ideological underpinnings of the Soviet system and its impact on culture.

View Isaiah Berlin: Liberty and Pluralism on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on Berlin's analysis of Soviet culture.
Consider how these cultural factors contributed to the USSR's development and collapse.

Research a Post-Soviet Country

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Undertaking a research project will allow you to delve deeper into the specific challenges and successes of a particular post-Soviet state.

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Choose a post-Soviet country to research.
Gather information on its history, politics, and economy.
Analyze the factors that have shaped its development since the collapse of the USSR.
Present your findings in a report or presentation.

Comparative Analysis Presentation

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Creating a comparative analysis presentation will help you synthesize your knowledge of different post-Soviet states and their divergent paths.

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Select two or three post-Soviet countries.
Identify key areas for comparison (e.g., political systems, economic development, social issues).
Research and gather data on each country in these areas.
Create a presentation highlighting the similarities and differences.

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding Post Soviet Space will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Geopolitical Analyst

A Geopolitical Analyst studies a region's geography, history, and political climate to assess its global influence and power. The course's detailed exploration of the Post-Soviet Space's history, the drivers of its collapse, and how it has evolved since is directly relevant to the work of a geopolitical analyst. An analyst can apply the course's understanding of the formation of different countries, their unique developments, and current events to make predictions and guide policy. The course’s content, including the discussion of rising authoritarianism and conflicts in the region, would be invaluable.

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Political Risk Analyst

A Political Risk Analyst assesses the risk associated with political instability and social unrest. The course's extensive coverage of the Post-Soviet Space, including its political development, economic systems, and the causes of conflicts, is directly applicable to this role. Understanding the collapse of the USSR, the formation of new countries, and the rise of authoritarianism will allow a political risk analyst to better predict and interpret political changes. The course's exploration of various countries' paths provides invaluable insights for this career.

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International Relations Specialist

An International Relations Specialist works to understand the relationships between countries, often at international organizations. Understanding the Post-Soviet Space, as taught in this course, is crucial in understanding current international politics. The course thoroughly covers the history and political development of the region, including the formation of new countries, their diverse paths, and current challenges. An international relations specialist can especially benefit from the course's discussion of authoritarianism and conflicts in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

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Intelligence Analyst

An Intelligence Analyst gathers and interprets information to provide insights on various issues, including political and social trends. This course, focusing on the history and development of the Post-Soviet Space, is invaluable for understanding the complex dynamics within that region. The course will help an intelligence analyst understand the motivations and behaviors of different countries and groups. The course's historical perspective, combined with its analysis of current events, provides a strong foundation for a career analyzing the region, its challenges, and its global relevance.

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Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes policies to advise governmental or non-governmental organizations. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the complexities of the Post-Soviet Space, which is highly relevant for a policy analyst working in this region. The course’s coverage of the formation of different countries, their unique development paths, and the impact of historical events is necessary knowledge. The course would be particularly applicable to a policy analyst focusing on geopolitical risk or international relations in the region.

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Foreign Service Officer

A Foreign Service Officer represents their country's interests abroad, working to maintain relationships and providing analysis on political and economic conditions. This course's deep dive into the history and development of the Post-Soviet Space, its diverse political landscape, and current events, makes it very useful for a foreign service officer focusing on this region. The course's exploration of different countries within the region will prepare them for the nuances and complexities of working within the Post-Soviet Space. Especially helpful would be its focus on the challenges that have arisen and the impact those events have had on that nation and globally.

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Journalist

A Journalist researches and reports on current events, often in specific regions. The course's analysis of the Post-Soviet Space, its formation, and current developments provides a useful background for any journalist reporting on that region. The course's discussion of rising authoritarianism in Belarus and Russia, and the conflict in Ukraine, is especially relevant for those reporting on current events. A journalist would be able to better place events in their proper context with the knowledge gained.

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Research Analyst

A Research Analyst gathers, analyzes, and interprets data to support decision making in a variety of fields. The course's focus on the history, politics, and cultural dynamics of the Post-Soviet Space makes it especially relevant for a research analyst specializing in this area. A research analyst can leverage the course's focus on the collapse of the USSR, the formation of new countries, and the drivers of this region's development to enhance their understanding of all relevant areas. The course covers many areas and would also be useful for those working in other fields.

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Academic Researcher

An Academic Researcher conducts research in a specific field, often at a university or research institution. Individuals who wish to pursue academic research related to the Post-Soviet Space will find this course incredibly valuable. The course's historical and political understanding of the region, including the collapse of the USSR, the formation of new countries, and the different drivers of development give a researcher a solid foundation for further investigation. The course also touches on many important issues related to this region, and that might be the focus of an academic researcher.

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Cultural Affairs Officer

A Cultural Affairs Officer promotes cultural exchange between countries and fosters understanding of different cultures. This course, with its deep dive into the history and development of the Post-Soviet Space, is beneficial for a cultural affairs officer focusing on this area. The course's exploration of ethnic, cultural, and national groups, and their role in the collapse of the USSR would aid a cultural affairs officer in understanding the region. The course contrasts the paths of highly different countries, and that information has particular relevance.

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Historian

A Historian researches, analyzes, and interprets past events and developments to construct an understanding of history. This course offers a deep understanding of the Post-Soviet Space that a historian can use to focus on that region. The course's coverage of the collapse of the USSR, the formation of new countries, and the political, economic, and social factors that influenced these developments is the kind of knowledge a historian would use. The course's inclusion of personal stories adds another dimension to understanding the past.

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Archivist

An archivist appraises, collects, organizes, and preserves historical documents and records. The course’s exploration of the history of the Post-Soviet Space, including different historical perspectives, is relevant to the work of an archivist who focuses on the Post-Soviet Space. This course’s overview of the history of the region could improve their work and help give context to archival materials. This might be an area for specialization, and this course may be useful in that endeavor.

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Librarian

A Librarian manages and organizes collections of books and other materials, often focusing on specific areas. The course's focus on the Post-Soviet Space can help a librarian who specializes in this area. A librarian who focuses on history and politics would be particularly interested in the course's content. Their familiarity with the region's history and development would be beneficial in selecting relevant materials for their collection. This course may help them to specialize their approach.

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Translator

A translator converts written text from one language to another, often specializing in a particular field. A translator who would like to work on documents related to the Post-Soviet Space will benefit from this course. The course provides an understanding of the region’s history and current politics, as well as its culture. This course may be useful for the added context even if not specializing in the specific countries covered by the course.

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Teacher

A teacher educates students in a variety of subjects, generally in a specific area of focus. This course can help a social studies teacher by deepening their understanding of the Post-Soviet Space. Because the course describes the history, political development, and cultural aspects the teacher can use this material to help organize their own lessons. The course's coverage of the collapse of the USSR and the formation of new countries may be of particular interest.

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Understanding Post Soviet Space

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What's inside

Learning objectives

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Reviews summary

Insightful post-soviet region overview

Activities

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