Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LI Soviet Politics: Rise and Fall of a Superpower
School	Government
Department	Political Sci & Intern'tl Stud
Module Code	08 31336
Module Lead	David White
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Exclusions
Description	From one of two superpowers, to fifteen separate states struggling for identity and survival - the rise and fall of the Soviet Union provides a unique case-study touching on many aspects of global political affairs in the twentieth century. The module explores the developing political structure and culture of the Soviet Union and focuses on the Bolsheviks’ rise to power in 1917, the development of the Soviet state and its key political features, and the establishment of the USSR's superpower status. The module also covers the government and ideology of the Soviet Union in its ‘settled state’ and identifies the reasons behind its collapse. < For much of this century the Soviet state was conceived by many as being on the cutting-edge of a new global political order. The module examines the tensions between ideology and reality, between the maintenance of domestic and international power and the declared aim of creating a new and fairer society. It is a case-study of a failed attempt to build a socialist utopia
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module, student should be able to: Demonstrate understanding of the socio-political processes which led to the rise of the Soviet regime, its development in power, and its sudden demise Demonstrate understanding of global politics in the twentieth century through an exploration of the political influence of the USSR Exercise skills of analysis through a basic introduction to Soviet political culture and ideology
Assessment	31336-01 : 1000 Word Review : Coursework (25%) 31336-02 : 3000 Word Essay : Coursework (75%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 2000 word review paper (25%) and 2 hour exam (75%) Reassessment: 2 hour exam (100%)
Other
Reading List