In May 2001, The Atlantic Monthly published a cover article entitled, "Russia is Finished." Seven years later, this thesis needs to be reconsidered. Out of the ashes of the catastrophic 1990’s, flush with windfall profits from oil and gas, Russia has emerged as an economic powerhouse on the world stage that seeks, and often gains, greater regional and worldwide influence. In December 2007, Vladimir Putin was named Time magazine's Person of the Year. In August 2008, Russia flexed its military muscle for the first time outside its new post-Soviet borders. The "successful" war with Georgia stands in stark contrast to the humiliating debacles in Chechnya in the 1990’s. Many Western observers have declared the start of a "New Cold War." But the picture is more complicated. The negatives include "backsliding" on democracy, the Litvinienko murder, increased media censorship, and disagreements with the West over the proposed missile defense system. On the other hand, most Russians have never enjoyed a higher standard of living; they travel the world in unprecedented numbers. In the past year Russian soccer teams thrilled the world in the European Cup and the UEFA Cup, and Russian pop singer Dima Bilan won the Eurovision contest. Russia has come a long way from "Finished."
This seminar will be held in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad). The city is an ideal setting to examine "the new Russia." On the one hand it is the proud hometown of both Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev and an unparalleled cultural treasure house whose entire downtown is a UNESCO world heritage site. And yet the city still houses many of its citizens in communal apartments, and the dividends of "democracy" and "capitalism" are not enjoyed by all. The seminar will investigate the social and political challenges facing the new Russia and critically examine Russia's identity in the reality of the world today. Integrated into the schedule are unique opportunities to meet Russians who are changing the face of their country: intellectuals, small-business owners, graduate students and others who will share their view of Russia's past, present, and future. Through visits to sites of interest and through lectures from experts in political science, sociology, history and culture, this seminar will give participants a first-hand sense of Russia in the new millennium.
Coming to Russia means not just exploring a major tourist destination or geopolitical player. This country is more than that in the ways it is both strikingly different from and similar to the “West”. It is like a looking glass for a westerner: too many universal cultural values and global threats get a unique twist here thus challenging our cognitive habits.
- Sergey Erofeev, 2010 Russia IFDS Faculty Leader
This 8-day seminar takes place in St. Petersburg.
Study at the SMALL MARBLE PALACE, the home of European University at St. Petersburg.
The Small Marble Palace – the former residence of Princess Yurievskaya, morganatic wife of the Tsar Liberator, Alexander II, now the epicenter of intellectual excellence in St. Petersburg. Walk the halls of this late-18th century hub of international diplomacy and politics which is located on the banks of the river Neva, just around the corner from the stunning Summer Gardens
Palace Images: Interior, Exterior
