The Decline & Fall of the Soviet Empire

This subject is not offered in 2008.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject considers several important aspects of Soviet history, from the death of Stalin in 1953 to the period of administrative reform and de-Stalinisation under Khrushchev; from the period of stagnation and de-Stalinisation under Brezhnev to the period of Glasnost under Gorbachev; and continuing to the August 1991 Coup and its aftermath. On completion of the subject students should have an improved appreciation and knowledge of the growth of the Soviet state and economy in the postwar period, the unsuccessful attempts at reform and the reasons for the fall of Soviet Communism in December 1991.

Information Not Available

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.