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This course is about the political and economic disintegration of the USSR in the late 1980s and early 1990s: why it happened, how it happened, whether or not the process was avoidable, and what the implications were for the 21st century
What will we cover?
The economic and social settlement now referred to as “Late Socialism” which developed in the late 1960s and 1970s.
The underlying problems of corruption, economic crisis, and the stresses of superpower competition.
The rise of Gorbachev and his cabal, and their efforts to rescue the Soviet Union from 1985—with particular reference to the famous twin programmes of glasnost’ and perestroika.
The tensions in the reform programme, and the process of collapse accelerated in the USSR between about 1988 and 1991.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify the long and short term causes of the Soviet Union’s disintegration in December of 1991.
Offer a point of view concerning whether or not the process was inevitable or preventable.
Articulate the key features of Gorbachev’s reform programme, where it succeeded, and where it didn’t.
Identify the key implications of the Soviet collapse in the modern world.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Some familiarity with the preceding history of the USSR may be useful, but the course will provide you with plenty of information and detailed readings. So long as you are willing to put aside time to complete the readings and come prepared to discuss the class questions, you will find the course rewarding. Most sessions of the course also rely on discussion among students.
An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The first session of the course will consist almost entirely of lecture, with a break. Subsequent sessions will be split between lecture in the first half, and discussion of readings and class questions in the latter half (with a break in the middle). You will be given substantial reading packs (usually about 60-70 pages worth) and class questions to consider between sessions. You will receive both these to the e-mail address you register with—not printed. If you are pressed for time, you will be provided with suggestions on which materials to prioritise. You are expected to complete the readings to the best of your ability and to come to class prepared to discuss the set questions in a seminar format
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Many students choose to take notes, and you are welcome to do so if you wish. All you really need is to come to the course with an interest in learning and a willingness to study ideas and attitudes that you may not agree with.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HEH89 The Soviet Union: a history in film, 1922-1991
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-collapse-of-the-ussr2800197The collapse of the USSRhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history/Courses/Online courses228511771178118217311228511771178<p>This course examines the long-term decline and fall of the Soviet Union, and the attempts to rescue it in the 1980s</p><p><strong><a>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</a> </strong></p>002800161The collapse of the USSR179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-02-24T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH128179179The collapse of the USSR179116179Nick Morganthe-collapse-of-the-ussr/heh128-2526<p>This course examines the long-term decline and fall of the Soviet Union, and the attempts to rescue it in the 1980s</p><p><strong><a>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</a> </strong></p>0000-Available|2026-02-24 00:00:00<p>This course is about the political and economic disintegration of the USSR in the late 1980s and early 1990s: why it happened, how it happened, whether or not the process was avoidable, and what the implications were for the 21st century</p><p>This course examines the long-term decline and fall of the Soviet Union, and the attempts to rescue it in the 1980s</p><p><strong><a>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</a> </strong></p><ul><li>The economic and social settlement now referred to as “Late Socialism” which developed in the late 1960s and 1970s. </li><li>The underlying problems of corruption, economic crisis, and the stresses of superpower competition. </li><li>The rise of Gorbachev and his cabal, and their efforts to rescue the Soviet Union from 1985—with particular reference to the famous twin programmes of <em>glasnost’ </em>and <em>perestroika</em>. </li><li>The tensions in the reform programme, and the process of collapse accelerated in the USSR between about 1988 and 1991. </li></ul><ul><li>Identify the long and short term causes of the Soviet Union’s disintegration in December of 1991. </li><li>Offer a point of view concerning whether or not the process was inevitable or preventable. </li><li>Articulate the key features of Gorbachev’s reform programme, where it succeeded, and where it didn’t. </li><li>Identify the key implications of the Soviet collapse in the modern world. </li></ul><p>Some familiarity with the preceding history of the USSR may be useful, but the course will provide you with plenty of information and detailed readings. So long as you are willing to put aside time to complete the readings and come prepared to discuss the class questions, you will find the course rewarding. Most sessions of the course also rely on discussion among students.</p><p>An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. <br/><br/><strong><a>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</a> </strong></p><p> </p><p>The first session of the course will consist almost entirely of lecture, with a break. Subsequent sessions will be split between lecture in the first half, and discussion of readings and class questions in the latter half (with a break in the middle). You will be given substantial reading packs (usually about 60-70 pages worth) and class questions to consider between sessions. You will receive both these to the e-mail address you register with—not printed. If you are pressed for time, you will be provided with suggestions on which materials to prioritise. You are expected to complete the readings to the best of your ability and to come to class prepared to discuss the set questions in a seminar format</p><p>Many students choose to take notes, and you are welcome to do so if you wish. All you really need is to come to the course with an interest in learning and a willingness to study ideas and attitudes that you may not agree with. </p><p>HEH89 The Soviet Union: a history in film, 1922-1991</p>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual179179116HEH128NONETue24/02/26 - 31/03/2619:30 - 21:3019:3021:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineNick MorganBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-02-24T00:00:00+00:00Feb 2026Culture, history & humanities179179The collapse of the USSRthe-collapse-of-the-ussr/heh128-2526<p>This course examines the long-term decline and fall of the Soviet Union, and the attempts to rescue it in the 1980s</p><p><strong><a>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</a> </strong></p>0000-Available|2026-02-24 00:00:00<p>This course is about the political and economic disintegration of the USSR in the late 1980s and early 1990s: why it happened, how it happened, whether or not the process was avoidable, and what the implications were for the 21st century</p><p>This course examines the long-term decline and fall of the Soviet Union, and the attempts to rescue it in the 1980s</p><p><strong><a>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</a> </strong></p><ul><li>The economic and social settlement now referred to as “Late Socialism” which developed in the late 1960s and 1970s. </li><li>The underlying problems of corruption, economic crisis, and the stresses of superpower competition. </li><li>The rise of Gorbachev and his cabal, and their efforts to rescue the Soviet Union from 1985—with particular reference to the famous twin programmes of <em>glasnost’ </em>and <em>perestroika</em>. </li><li>The tensions in the reform programme, and the process of collapse accelerated in the USSR between about 1988 and 1991. </li></ul><ul><li>Identify the long and short term causes of the Soviet Union’s disintegration in December of 1991. </li><li>Offer a point of view concerning whether or not the process was inevitable or preventable. </li><li>Articulate the key features of Gorbachev’s reform programme, where it succeeded, and where it didn’t. </li><li>Identify the key implications of the Soviet collapse in the modern world. </li></ul><p>Some familiarity with the preceding history of the USSR may be useful, but the course will provide you with plenty of information and detailed readings. So long as you are willing to put aside time to complete the readings and come prepared to discuss the class questions, you will find the course rewarding. Most sessions of the course also rely on discussion among students.</p><p>An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. <br/><br/><strong><a>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</a> </strong></p><p> </p><p>The first session of the course will consist almost entirely of lecture, with a break. Subsequent sessions will be split between lecture in the first half, and discussion of readings and class questions in the latter half (with a break in the middle). You will be given substantial reading packs (usually about 60-70 pages worth) and class questions to consider between sessions. You will receive both these to the e-mail address you register with—not printed. If you are pressed for time, you will be provided with suggestions on which materials to prioritise. You are expected to complete the readings to the best of your ability and to come to class prepared to discuss the set questions in a seminar format</p><p>Many students choose to take notes, and you are welcome to do so if you wish. All you really need is to come to the course with an interest in learning and a willingness to study ideas and attitudes that you may not agree with. </p><p>HEH89 The Soviet Union: a history in film, 1922-1991</p>HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
