Russia and Ukraine: The memory politics of conflict
The ongoing Russian occupation of Ukraine and the Ukrainian fight for its people, land and sovereignty is not only fought on the battlefield. Join us to explore how history and memory politics is also at central
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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 12 Jun 2025End Date: 12 Jun 2025Thu (Evening): 19:00 - 21:00OnlineFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00
- Start Date: 27 Nov 2025End Date: 27 Nov 2025Thu (Evening): 19:00 - 21:00OnlineFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00
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What is the course about?
The ongoing Russian occupation of Ukraine and the Ukrainian fight for its people, land and sovereignty is not only fought on the battlefield.
A significant dimension revolves around how Ukraine as a complex and multi-cultural nation and sovereign state challenges the dominant Russian political representation of the linkage between the history of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and today's Russia.
This lecture will explore the history and memory politics of the Russian invasion and the Ukrainian fight for its people, land and sovereignty..
What will we cover?
- the history of the Ukrainian nation
- the history of the Russian Empire and its successor states in the form of the Soviet Union and today's Russia
- the history and memory politics of Ukraine and Russia between 1991 and 2014
- the history and memory politics of Ukraine and Russia since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2015
- the history and memory politics of Ukraine and Russia since the Russian invasion and occupation of Ukraine in 2022.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- understand better the history and memory politics of the Russian invasion and the Ukrainian fight for its people, land and sovereignty.
- more confidently explore the complex relationship between past and present.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The session is introductory and everyone is welcome..
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught be lecture, power point and Q & A..
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for notetaking..
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
- HPC273 Refugee Week at City Lit: Climate change, food insecurity and refugees
- HMI34 Museums and Repatriation
- HMI39 Historical memory in Russia
- HMI40 Historical memory in Ukraine
- HMI41 History and memory in the United States of America
Olivia Durand is global historian doing work and teaching on the politics of history and memory, settler colonialism and colonial port cities in addition to the history of 19th century Russia, Ukraine and America. Olivia has worked at Oxford University, the Free University in Berlin and the Institute of Historical Justice and Reconciliation in the Hague and is keen to offer more courses at City Lit.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.