The Collapse of the Soviet Union

About this course

The course traces the Soviet Union’s political and economic disintegration from the late-socialist settlement of the 1960s and 1970s to the collapse of 1991. It examines corruption, economic crisis, superpower competition and the reform programme led by Mikhail Gorbachev, including glasnost and perestroika. Teaching combines an introductory lecture with later sessions that pair lectures and discussion of readings and set questions. Participants consider how and why the collapse accelerated, whether it was avoidable, and what its implications have been for the modern world.

What you'll learn

• Identify long- and short-term causes of the Soviet Union’s disintegration in 1991.
• Explain the main features of glasnost and perestroika and assess where Gorbachev’s reforms succeeded or failed.
• Evaluate arguments about whether the Soviet collapse was inevitable or preventable.
• Discuss the significance of the Soviet Union’s collapse for the modern world.

Is this course right for you?

Listed as suitable for all levels, the course may be useful to learners with some familiarity with earlier Soviet history, although the course provides background information and detailed readings. It involves preparing for class questions and participating in group discussions, with an emphasis on respectful engagement with differing views.

• Previous familiarity with the USSR may be useful but is not identified as a requirement.
• Learners are expected to prepare readings and contribute to seminar-style discussion.
• The course calls for a willingness to consider views with which participants may disagree.

Before you go

• Substantial reading packs, usually around 60 to 70 pages, and class questions are sent by email rather than provided in print.
• Suggestions are provided on which reading materials to prioritise when time is limited.