SOC 451 - Russian Society

Sociology 451-651
Russian Society in Transition

Instructor: Dmitri Shalin
https://www.unlv.edu/people/dmitri-shalin

Office: CBC-237, 895-0259, dmitri.shalin@unlv.edu
Office hours: Thursday 3:00-4:00, 6:30-7:00 p.m., or by appointment
http://cdclv.unlv.edu/

SYLLABUS

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The course is a sociological survey of Russian society in transition. It reviews major Soviet institutions and examines current attempts to transform Russian society. Special attention is given to the origin of glasnost and perestroika and the difficulties that the former Soviet Union faces in reforming its communist system and building democracy and a market economy. At the end of the class students are expected to understand how Russian history and culture have shaped this country's politics, education, mass communications, social stratification, sexuality, family life, deviance and crime. Video materials, audio sessions, and intensive class discussions are an integral part of this class. The (virtual) Russian potluck dinner is held in the first week of November. The course fulfills the UNLV foreign culture and international studies requirements, and it does not require knowledge of Russian language.

TEXTBOOK AND READINGS: A collection of essays Russian Culture at the Crossroads. Paradoxes of Postcommunist Consciousness, Dmitri N. Shalin, ed. (Boulder, CO.: Westview Press), serves as the textbook for this course. Another book, Russian Intelligentsia in the age of Counterperestroika: Political Agendas, Rhetorical Strategies, Personal Choices Dmitri N. Shalin, ed. (New York: Routledge) is recommended. A series of newspaper columns and relevant articles on Russia written by Dmitri Shalin can be found on this web page, http://cdclv.unlv.edu/pragmatism/shalin_biblio. Additional readings from various sources are available in the digital form. In the list that follows, required readings are marked with asterisk (*). Other works are recommended for independent studies and/or term papers.

LECTURES AND CLASS POLICIES: Class lectures follow the course outline bellow. Class calendar is posted on Canvas. Special video sessions are planned throughout the semester. Some of the topics reflect the supplementary materials posted on Canvas, videos shown to students, and data presented in class. Students are advised to do readings for each session in advance of their coverage in class. Attendance is mandatory; students should notify the TA if they are unable to attend. Questions from students are welcome, both during class sessions and office hours.

REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING: Students will be given a mid-term exam in the 9th week of the class. At the end of the semester, undergraduate students choose between writing a paper and taking a final examination. Graduate level students get some additional class readings and write a paper at the end of this class. All tests are based on assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and video session materials. Undergraduate students write a paper on the order of 8-12 double-spaced pages, and graduate students write a paper on the order of 12-16 double-spaced pages. Participation in class discussions is strongly encouraged. The final grade will reflect the student's mid-term exam, final paper, and contribution to class discussions. The midterm, final paper, and class participation are given equal weight in evaluating each student's class performance. Students will be given a chance to do an optional project to improve their grade.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES: At the end of the course students will be able to (1) place Russian society in its historical context; (2) identify the forces shaping its long-term development; (3) grasp the ideological, economic, and cultural foundations of the Soviet regime; (4) spell out the causes that lead to the dissolution of the Soviet Union; and (5) understand the difficulties of building a free democratic society in Russia.

OUTLINE OF TOPICS:

1.   Course Outlines and Learning Objectives
2.   Russia and the Study of Foreign Cultures
3.   Historical Trends and National Aspirations
4.   The October Revolution and Soviet Society
5.   Postsoviet Society and Counterperestroika
6.   Political System and Institutions
7.   Education and Mass Communications
8.   Youth and Popular Culture
9.   Social Stratification and Inequality
10. Family, Gender, and Sexuality
11. Deviance, Crime and Dissent
12. The Future of Russian Society

UNLV POLICIES:

Disability Resource Center (DRC) – The Disability Resource Center (DRC) determines accommodations that are “reasonable” in promoting the equal access of a student reporting a disability to the general UNLV learning experience. In so doing, the DRC also balances instructor and departmental interests in maintaining curricular standards so as to best achieve a fair evaluation standard amongst students being assisted. In order for the DRC to be effective it must be considered in the dialog between the faculty and the student who is requesting accommodations. For this reason faculty should only provide students course adjustment after having received an “Academic Accommodation Plan.” UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC-A), Room 143, phone (702) 895-0866, fax (702) 895-0651. For additional information, please visit: http://drc.unlv.edu/.

Academic Misconduct – Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution. An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of another, from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources. See the Student Academic Misconduct Policy (approved December 9, 2005) located at: http://studentconduct.unlv.edu/misconduct/policy.html.

Incomplete Grades - The grade of I – Incomplete – can be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed all course work up to the withdrawal date of that semester/session but for reason(s) beyond the student’s control, and acceptable to the instructor, cannot complete the last part of the course, and the instructor believes that the student can finish the course without repeating it. A student who receives an I is responsible for making up whatever work was lacking at the end of the semester. If course requirements are not completed within the time indicated, a grade of F will be recorded and the GPA will be adjusted accordingly. Students who are fulfilling an Incomplete do not register for the course but make individual arrangements with the instructor who assigned the I grade.

Copyright – The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies. Additional information can be found at: http://provost.unlv.edu/copyright/statements.html.

Religious Holidays Policy – Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. For additional information, please visit: http://catalog.unlv.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=164.

Tutoring – The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring and academic assistance for all UNLV students taking UNLV courses. Students are encouraged to stop by the ASC to learn more about subjects offered, tutoring times and other academic resources. The ASC is located across from the Student Services Complex (SSC). Students may learn more about tutoring services by calling (702) 895-3177 or visiting the tutoring web site at: http://academicsuccess.unlv.edu/tutoring/.

UNLV Writing Center – One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the Writing Center, located in CDC-3-301. Although walk-in consultations are sometimes available, students with appointments will receive priority assistance. Appointments may be made in person or by calling 895-3908. The student’s Rebel ID Card, a copy of the assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested for the consultation. More information can be found at: http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/

Rebelmail – By policy, faculty and staff should e-mail students’ Rebelmail accounts only. Rebelmail is UNLV’s official e-mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official university communication such as information about deadlines, major campus events, and announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been admitted to the university. Students’ e-mail prefixes are listed on class rosters. The suffix is always @unlv.nevada.edu.

READING ASSIGNMENTS

1. Course Outlines and Learning Objectives

   *Shalin, Course Syllabus and Outlines
   *D. Shalin, Textbook, Readings, and Video Sessions
   *D. Shalin, Requirements and Grading Policies
   *D. Shalin, Lectures and Class Policies
     UNLV, Canvas Protocols and Procedures
     UNLV, DRC Disability Policies

2. Russia and the Study of Foreign Cultures

   *D. Shalin, ed. 2019. Russian Intelligentsia in the Age of Counterperestroika: Political Agendas, Rhetorical Strategies, Personal Choices. New York: Routledge.
   *F. Hechinger, 1986. "Improving U.S.-Soviet Texts." The New York Times.
   *D. Shalin, 2018. "Communication, Democracy, and Intelligentsia," Russian Journal of Communication, Vol. 10.
   *D. Shalin, 1996. "Introduction," in Russian Culture at the Crossroads., pp. 1-10.
   *D. Shalin, 1993. "Emotional Barriers to Democracy Are Daunting," Los Angeles Times, October 27.
   *D. Shalin, 1988. "From Lies to Half-Truth in the USSR." Chicago Tribune, August 25.
   *D. Shalin, “Why Economic Reforms Have Failed.” Chicago Trinune. 1990, May 30.
   D. Shalin, 1989-2020. Newspaper Columns on Russia.
    D. Shalin, 1981. "Behavioral and Post-Behavioral Methodologies in Communist Studies." Soviet Union, Vol. 8.
   P. Hollander, 1970. Soviet and American Society. A comparison. Ch. 1.
     E. Mickiewicz, 1973. Handbook of Soviet Social Science Data, pp. 1-41.

3. Historical Trends and National Aspirations

    *B. Paramonov, 1996. "Historical Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 11-40.
   *L. Shevtsova, 2015. "The Authoritarian Resurgence." Journal of Democracy.
   *P. Gaev, 2014. "Westernizers and Slavophiles in Russian Pedagogy." Russian Education & Society.
   *M. Epstein, 2018. "Intelligentsia, Intellectuals, and the Social Functions of Intelligence." RJC, pp. 165-181
   *L. Gudkov, 2018. Intelligentsia': The Vanished Concept and Its Aftermath," RJC, 2018.
   *F. Hill and C. Gaddy, 1021. "Putin and the Uses of History." The National Interest.
   *D. Shalin, 1986. "Introduction," in Russian Culture at the Crossroads. Pp. 1-10.
   *D. Shalin, 2018. Russian Intelligentsia in the Age of Counterperestroika, RJC.
   *D. Shalin, 1988. "For Marxism, A Problem of National Proportions." Los Angeles Times, March 22.
     D. Shalin, 2009. Review of "Olga Shevchenko, Crisis and the Everyday in Postsocialist Moscow," Society, 2009.
     H. Smith, 1984. The New Russians, Parts 1, 2.

4. The October Revolution and Soviet Society

   *Y. Levada, 1986. "Civic Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 299-312.
   *G. Pankhurst, 1996. "Religious Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 127-156.
   *R. Wade, 2000. "The Russian Revolution, 2017."
   *M. Randle. 2017. "Making Sense of 1917: Towards a Global History of the Russian Revolution." Slavic Review, V. 76.
   *S. Fitzpatrick, 2000. Everyday Stalinism: Ordinary Life in Extraordinary Times: Soviet Russia in the 1930s.
   *G. Kennan. 1947. "The Sources of Soviet Conduct." Foreign Affairs, No. 4.
   *L. Ulitskaya, 2018. "Reading as a Heroic Feat: the Intelligentsia and Uncensored Literature." RJC.
   *D. Shalin, 1986. "Introduction," in Russian Culture at the Crossroads. Pp. 1-10.
   *D. Shalin, 2018. Russian Intelligentsia in the Age of Counterperestroika, RJC.
   *S. Iourienen, 2018. "The intelligentsia and Emigration: Prospects, Possibilities, and Risks." RJC.
     D. Shalin, 1996. "Soviet Civilization and Its Emotional Discontents," Intern. Journal of Sociology and Social Policy.
     D. Shalin, 1987. "Reforms in the USSR: Muckraking Soviet Style," Chicago Tribune, February 16.
     D. Shalin, 1988. "From Lies to Half-Truth in the USSR." Chicago Tribune, August 25.
     P. Panov, 2010. "Nation-building in Post-Soviet Russia." Journal of Eurasian Studies, No. 1.
     S. Fitzpatrick. 2008. The Russian Revolution. Oxford University Press.
     Z. Katz. 1956. "Party‐political education in Soviet Russia 1918–1935." Soviet Studies, Vol. 7.

5. Postsoviet Society and Counterperestroika

   *Y. Levada, "Civic Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 299-312.
   *A. Piontkovsky. 2018. "The Post-Intelligentsia and the Russian Catastrophe of the Twenty-First Century." RJC
   *G. Guseinov. 2018. "Nationalist Trends Among Contemporary Russian Intelligentsia." RJC.
   *F. Hill, and C. Gaddy, 2012. "Putin and the Uses of History." The National Interest.
   *D. Shalin, 2018. Russian Intelligentsia in the Age of Counterperestroika, RJC.
   *D. Shalin, 2017. "Vladimir Putin's KGB Democracy." Las Vegas Review Journal.
   *D. Shalin, 1990. "Why Economic Reforms Have Failed." Chicago Tribune, May 30.
   *D. Shalin, 1988. "For Marxism, A Problem of National Proportions." Los Angeles Times, March 22.
     D. Shalin, 1966. "Soviet Civilization and Its Emotional Discontents," Intern. Journal of Sociology and Social Policy.
     D. Shalin, 2009. Review of "Olga Shevchenko, Crisis and the Everyday in Postsocialist Moscow," Society.
   H. Smith, 1990. The New Russians, Parts 1, 2.
     A. Likhacheva, I. Makarov, E. Makarova, 2015. "Post-Soviet Russian Identity's Influence on European-Russian Intelligentsia." European Journal of Futures Research.
     P. Panov, 2010. "Nation-building in Post-Soviet Russia." Journal of Eurasian Studies, No. 1.
    D. Shalin, 1990. "Sociology for the Glasnost Era." Social Forces, Vol. 69.
     C. Belton, 2020. Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West.
     M. Gessen, 2013. The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin.
     F. Jaitner, T. Olteanu, T. Spöri, eds. 2018. Crises in the Post‐Soviet Space.
     M. Ellman, 2006. Russia's Oil and Natural Gas: Bonanza or Curse?
     R. Meadow, 2019. Blowout: Corrupted DEmocxracy, Rogue State Russia and the Most Desructive Industry on Earth.

6. Political System and Institutions

   *D. Shalin. 1986. "Intellectual Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 41-98.
   *Kinsman, J. 2013. "Russia and Democracy." Pp. 143-200 in Diplomat's Handbook, pp. 135-200.
   *L. Gozman, 2018. "Subjective Notes on the Objective Situation Among Russian Intelligentsia." RJC.
   *A. Piontkovksy, 2018 "Post-intelligentsia and the Moral Catastrophe of Russian Society." RJC.
   *S. Holmes, "Fragments of a Defunct State," London Review of Books. 2012.
   *L. Shevtsova, 2015. "The Authoritarian Resurgence." Journal of Democracy.
   *D. Shalin, 1992. "Former Communists May Never Reach the Promised Land." Las Vegas Review-Journal, Dec. 13.
   *D. Shalin, 2009. Review of "Larissa Remennick, Russian Jews on Three Continents, Contemporary Sociology.
     D. Shalin, 1990. "A Malaise that Plagues the Soviets." Chicago Tribune, October 19.
     D. Shalin, 1990. "Perestroika's Ugly Brother, Anti-Semitism." Los Angeles Times, July 25.
     A. Venediktov, 2012. "Alone at the Top," The Economist.
    H. Smith, 1990. The New Russians, Parts 1, 2, 5.
     P. Hollander, 1970. Soviet and American Society, Chs. 2, 3.
     D. Lane, 1992. Politics and Society in the USSR, pp. 1-19, 125-201.
     C. Cohen, 1996. Communism, Fascism, and Democracy, pp. 481-85.
     Z. Brzezinski and S. P. Huntington, 1964. Political Power: USA/USSR, pp. 17-75.

7. Education and Mass Communications

   *A. Etkind, 1996. "Psychological Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp., 99-126.
   *I. Kon, 1996. "Moral Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 185-208.
   *M. Friedberg, 1986. "Literary Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 239-258.
   *U. Bronfenbrenner, 1970. Two Worlds of Childhood: US & USSR.
   *D. Shalin, 2018. "Communication, Democracy, and Intelligentsia," Russian Journal of Communication, Vol. 10.
   *M. Lipman. 2014. "Russia's Non-governmental Media Under Assault." Demokratizatsiya.
   *Becker, J. 2004. "Lessons from Russia: A Neo-Authoritarian Media System." European J. of Communication.
   *D. Shalin, 1990. "Ethics of Survival." Christian Science Monitor." December 4.
     Levada Center. "Media Trust and Censorship." Public Opinion Monitor. 2016.
     D. Shalin, Review of "Nancy Ries, Russian Talk: Culture and Conversation During Perestroika." Slavic Review, 1998.
     H. Smith, 1984. The Russians.
     A. Jones, ed. 1991. Soviet Social Problems, Ch. 2, 12.
     P. Hollander, 1970. American and Soviet Society, Chs. 4, 5.
     D. Lane, 1992. Politics and Society in the USSR, Ch. 14.
     A. Inkeles, 1968. Social Change in Soviet Russia, Chs. 14-15.
     D. Shipler, 2016. Russia: Broken Idols, Solemn Dreams, Ch. 1.
     G. A. Geyer, 1975. The Young Russians, Ch. 14, 19.
     J. Santrock, 2019. Adolescence, pp. 465-81.
     R. Hingley, 1978. The Russian Mind, Ch. 2.
     D. Levin, 1966. Leisure and Pleasure of Soviet Children.

8. Youth and Popular Culture

   *I. Kon, 1996. "Moral Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 185-208.
   *Z. Abdullaeva, 1996. "Popular Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 185-208.
   *D. Shalin, 1990. "Glasnost and Sex." New York Times, January 209-238.
   *D. Shalin, 1991. "Sexual Counter-Revolution in the U.S.S.R.," Boston Globe, August 19.
   *D. Shalin, Review of Thomas Cushman, Notes from the Underground: Rock Music Counterculture in Russia.
   *M. Lapenkova-Maximova, "Boozy Russian Remain Wary of Alcoholic Anonymous."
     N. Ivanova, 2018. "Literature and Power in the New Age: Institutions and Divisions." RJC.
     M. Lipovetsky. 2018. "Intelligentsia and Cynicism: Political Metamorphoses of Postmodernism." RJC.
     H. Smith, 1984. The Russians, Ch. 7.
     I. Kon, 1995. The Sexual Revolution in Russia, Parts 2, 3.
     A. Jones, 1991. Soviet Social Problems, Ch. 13.
     J. Riordan, Soviet Youth Culture, Chs. 1 & 3.
     P. Hollander, 1984. American and Soviet Society, pp. 353-60.
     J. Gagnon and K. Greenblat, 1978. Life Designs, pp. 81-8.
     G. A. Geyer, The Young Russians, Ch. 11.

9. Social Stratification and Inequality

   *V. Magun, 1986. "Labor Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 279-298.
   *I. Kon, 1996. "Moral Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 185-208.
   *D. Shalin, 1999. Review "Alena Ledeneva, Russia's Economy of Favours: Blat, Networking, and Informal Exchange."
   *D. Shalin, 1990. "Why Economic Reforms Have Failed." Chicago Tribune, May 30.
     Mandel, 2004. Labour After Communism.
     H. Smith, 1990. The New Russians, Part 3.
     A. Jones, 1991. Soviet Social Problems, Ch. 8.
     P. Hollander, 1984. Soviet and American Society, Ch. 6.
     A. Inkeles, 1968. Social Change in Soviet Russia, Chs. 7-9.
     M. Djilas, 19182. The New Class, pp. 1-69.
     D. Lane, 1992. The End of Social Inequality?

10. Family, Gender, and Sexuality

   *S. Boym, 1996. "Everyday Culture." Russian Culture at the Crossroads, pp. 157-184.
   *A. Kollontai. 1921. "The Woman Worker and Peasant in Soviet Russia."
   *N. Hardwick 2014. "Reviewing the Changing Situation of Women in Russian Society." E-International Relations.
   *M. Buckley. 1981. "Women in the Soviet Union," Feminist Review
   *D. Shalin, 1990. "Glasnost and Sex." New York Times, January 24.
   *D. Shalin, "Sexual Counter-Revolution in the U.S.S.R.," Boston Globe, 1991, August 19.
   *H. Smith, 1984. The Russians, Ch. 5.
     I. Kon, 1995. The Sexual Revolution in Russia, Chs. 1-3, 4-5, 10-11.
     F. du Plessix Gray, 1991. Soviet Women.
     A. Jones, 1991. Soviet Social Problems, Ch. 11, 15.
     J. Riordan, 1989. Soviet Youth Culture, Ch. 3.
     P. Hollander, 1984. Soviet and American Society, pp. 245-81.
     D. Lane, 1992. Politics and Society in the USSR, Ch. 11.
    M. Stern and A. Stern, 1979. Sex in the USSR, pp. 3-122.

11. Deviance, Crime and Dissent

*D. Shalin, 1996. 9) Russian Culture at the Crossroads, Ch. 2.
   *V. Shenderovich, 2018. "Intelligentsia and the Gospel According to Mathew." RJC.
   *H. Smith, 1984. The Russians, Ch. 18.
   *D. Shalin, 1990. "The Ethics of Survival." Christian Science Monitor." December 4.
   *D. Shalin, 1996. Review of "R. Baigell and M. Baigell. eds., Soviet Dissident Artists." Slavic Review. Vol. 55.
   *D. Shalin, 2018. Russian Intelligentsia in the Age of Counterperestroika. RJC.
   *W. Connor, 1972. "The Manufacture of Deviance: The Case of the Soviet Purge, 1936-1938." ASF, Vol. 37.
    A. Jones, 1991. Soviet Social Problems, Chs. 6, 7, 14.
    P. Hollander, 1973. Soviet and American Society, pp. 304-37.
    J. Gliksman, "Social Prophylaxis as a Form of Soviet Terror," in C.J. Friedrich, ed., Totalitarianism.
    B. Moore, Jr. Terror and Progress in the USSR, Chs. 4-6.
    R. Tokes, ed. Dissent in the USSR.

12. The Future of Russian Society

   *D. Shalin, ed. 2019. Russian Intelligentsia in the Age of Counterperestroika: Political Agendas, Rhetorical Strategies, Personal Choices. Routledge.
   *A. Genis, 2018. "The illusion of Freedom: Propaganda and the Informational Swamp." RJC.
   *S. Iourienen, 2018. "The intelligentsia and Emigration: Prospects, Possibilities, and Risks." RJC.
*D. Shalin, 2018. "Communication, Democracy, and Intelligentsia," Russian Journal of Communication, Vol. 10.
   *D. Shalin, 2018. Russian Intelligentsia Adaptation Strategies , RJC.
   *D. Shalin, 1993. "Emotional Barriers to Democracy Are Daunting," Los Angeles Times, October 27.
   *D. Shalin, 1990. "Why Economic Reforms Have Failed." Chicago Tribune, May 30.
   *D. Shalin, Newspaper Columns on Russia.
     H. Smith, 1984. The Russians, Ch. XX.
    H. Smith, 1990. The New Russians, Part 5, 6.
    P. Hollander, 1973. P. American and Soviet Society, Ch. 9
     D. Shalin, 1980. "Marxist Paradigm and Academic Freedom." Social Research, Vol. 47.
    D. Shalin, 1990. "Sociology for the Glasnost Era." Social Forces, vol. 69.
     D. Shalin, 2011. "Becoming a Public Intellectual," in D. Shalin, Pragmatism and Democracy: Studies in History, Social Theory and Progressive Politics, pp. 331-372.

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS AND WEB RESOURCES ON RUSSIAN SOCIETY:

Regional Maps
The Moscow Times
Russian Intelligentsia at the Crossroads
Russian History and Foreign Relations Outlines
Freedom House. Freedom of the press: Russia
UNLV Center for Democratic Culture Russian Culture Project

Aslund, Anders. Building Capitalism: The Transformation of the Former Soviet Block. Cambridge, 2001.
Barker, Adele Marie, ed. Consuming Russia: Popular Culture, Sex and Society since Gorbachev. Duke, 1999.
Belton, A. Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2020. Illustrated edition (June 23, 2020) Brown, Archie, ed. Contemporary Russian Politics: A Reader. Oxford: Oxford, 2004.
Caldwell, Melissa. Not by Bread Alone: Social Support in the New Russia, University of California, 2004.
Clarke, Katerina. The Soviet Novel: History as Ritual. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 1985.
Castillo, Greg, Cold War on the Home Front: The Soft Power of Midcentury Design, Minnesota, 2010.
Epshtein, M., A. Genis, and S. Vladiv-Glover. Russian Postmodernism: New Perspectives on Post-Soviet Culture. 1999.
Fitzpatrick, Sheila. The Russian Revolution. Oxford University Press, 2008.
Freeland, Chrystia. Sale of the Century: Russia's Wild Ride from Communism to Capitalism, Ancor, 2001.
Grant, Bruce. In the Soviet House of Culture: A Century of Perestroikas. Princeton, 1995.
Gustafson, Thane. Capitalism Russian-Style. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1999.
Jaitner, F. Olteanu, T. Spöri, eds. 2018. Crises in the Post‐Soviet Space. Routledge, 2018.
Hoffman, David. The Oligarchs: Wealth and Power in the New Russia. Public Affairs, 2003.
Humphrey, Caroline. The Unmaking of Soviet Life: Everyday Economies after Socialism. Cornell, 2002.
Kotkin, Stephen, Armageddon Averted: The Soviet Collapse, 1970-2000. Oxford University Press, 2001.
Ledeneva, Alena. Russia's Economy of Favours: Blat, Networking, and Informal Exchange. Cambridge, 1998.
Ledeneva, A. How Russia Really Works: The Informal Purchases That Shaped Post-Soviet Politics and Business. Cornell University Press, 2006.
Meadow, R. Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Most Destructive Industry on Earth, 2019.
Poe, Marshall, The Russian Moment in World History. Princeton University Press, 2003.
Reddaway, Peter & Dmitri Gilinski. The Tragedy of Russia's Reforms: Market Bolshevism Against Democracy. United States Institute of Peace Press, 2001.
Ries, Nancy. Russian Talk: Culture and Conversation During Perestroika. Cornell, 1997.
Remnick, David. The New Russia: Transition Gone Awry, Stanford, 2002.
Remennick, Larissa. Russian Jews on Three Continents: Identity, Integration, and Conflict. Transactions, 2007.
Sakwa, Richard, ed. The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union, 1917–1991. Routledge Sources in History. Routledge, 1999.
Schock, Kurt. Civil Resistance Today. Polity Press, 2015.
Shevchenko, Olga. Crisis and the Everyday in Postsocialist Moscow. Indiana University Press, 2009.
Siniavskii, Andrei. The Russian Intelligentsia. New York: Columbia, 1997.
Wood, Elizabeth A., William E. Pomeranz, et al. Roots of Russia's War in Ukraine. Woodrow Wilson Center Press / Columbia University Press, 2015.
Taylor, Brian, State Building in Putin's Russia: Policing and Coercion after Communism, Cambridge, 2011.
Zassoursky, Ivan. Media and Power in Post-Soviet Russia, M. E. Sharpe, 2003.

SUPPLEMENTARY VIDEO MATERIALS ON RUSSIAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE:

Ted Koppel
Sex in the USSR

Boris Grebenshchikov
Las Vegas Concert

Timur Shaov
Las Vegas Concert

Yuri Shevchuk
Las Vegas Concert

Peterburg – Leningrad – Peterburg
Slide Show and Musical Presentation

Russian History
Truing Points in Russian History

Russian History
The October Revolution of 2017

Russian History
Inside the Great Terror

Joseph Stalin
Biography of Joseph Stalin

Stalin and the Forced Collectivization
Stalin's Enslavement of Rural Russia

Mikhail Gorbachev
Biography of Mikhail Gorbachev

Perestroika and Glasnost
Gorbachev, Glasnost & Perestroika

Perestroika and Glasnost
YouTube Resources on Russian Society and Politics

Glasnost and Perestroika
The Failed Reforms and Its Aftermath

Vladimir Putin
Putin's Biography

Vladimir Putin
Inside Putin's Russia

Vladimir Putin
Youth Culture in Putin's Russia

New Russia
The KGB Heritage and Putin's Russia

New Russia
The Power of the Overbearing State

New Russia
The Official Perspective on 21st Century Russia

The Future of Russia
An Intimate Journey through Russia

Future of Russia
The Resurgence of Russian Empire

Dmitri Shalin
Perestroika and the Russian Intelligentsia

Dmitri Shalin
The Future of Perestroika in Russia

Russian Movies
Hipsters/Stylish People

Russian Movies
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears Pt. 1

Russian Movies
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears Pt. 2

Movies on Russia
White Nights (with Mikhail Baryshnikov)

UNLV Center for Democratic Culture
Russian Culture and Intelligentsia Project

UNLV Center for Democratic Culture
Russian Art and Culture Video Presentations