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Fundamentally, this course is interested in whether or not the Soviet Union ever managed to escape the ghost of Stalin in the decade after his death. How far could the USSR really de-Stalinise? What were the limits and why did they exist? To what extent was this effort made willingly by the leadership and to what extent was it forced by circumstance?
What will we cover?
Over the six weeks of this course, you will learn about the political and social status quo in the Soviet Union in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War and up to Stalin’s death. You will learn about the political conflict at the top of the Party and State to succeed him, and discuss the outcome. You will learn about “de-Stalinization” and the efforts of the Khrushchev regime to reform the Soviet Union, and conclude with the downfall of Khrushchev and the rise of Brezhnev
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Set out a view on whether or not the USSR remained a “Stalinist” place in 1964.
Assess the importance of the leadership struggle in 1953 and its implications for the future.
Identify the key trends in Soviet politics and society in the 1950s and early 1960s.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is intended to be introductory, but that is not to say that it is simple. You will be given plentiful information in the lectures and extensive readings to undertake between classes—you should attend the course willing to put time aside for the readings and to put serious thought into the class questions in advance. Many students come to the course with a degree of familiarity with the earlier or later history of the USSR, but if that does not describe you then the course will provide you with more than enough to consider the topics in front of you.
An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class debate and discussion. Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.
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
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/ussr-after-stalin2800158USSR after Stalinhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/europe-1848-HEH115-1024.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history/Courses/Online courses228511771178118217311228511771178<p>Explore the political and social history of the Soviet Union from the death of Stalin in March 1953 to the fall of Khrushchev in October 1964</p><p><strong>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</strong></p>002800122USSR after Stalin179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/europe-1848-HEH115-1024.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-05T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH107179179USSR after Stalin179116179Nick Morganussr-after-stalin/heh107-2526<p>Explore the political and social history of the Soviet Union from the death of Stalin in March 1953 to the fall of Khrushchev in October 1964</p><p><strong>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-05-05 00:00:00<p>Fundamentally, this course is interested in whether or not the Soviet Union ever managed to escape the ghost of Stalin in the decade after his death. How far could the USSR really de-Stalinise? What were the limits and why did they exist? To what extent was this effort made willingly by the leadership and to what extent was it forced by circumstance?</p><p> </p><p>Explore the political and social history of the Soviet Union from the death of Stalin in March 1953 to the fall of Khrushchev in October 1964</p><p><strong>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</strong></p><p>Over the six weeks of this course, you will learn about the political and social status quo in the Soviet Union in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War and up to Stalin’s death. You will learn about the political conflict at the top of the Party and State to succeed him, and discuss the outcome. You will learn about “de-Stalinization” and the efforts of the Khrushchev regime to reform the Soviet Union, and conclude with the downfall of Khrushchev and the rise of Brezhnev</p><ul><li>Set out a view on whether or not the USSR remained a “Stalinist” place in 1964. </li><li>Assess the importance of the leadership struggle in 1953 and its implications for the future. </li><li>Identify the key trends in Soviet politics and society in the 1950s and early 1960s. </li></ul><p> </p><p>This course is intended to be introductory, but that is not to say that it is simple. You will be given plentiful information in the lectures and extensive readings to undertake between classes—you should attend the course willing to put time aside for the readings and to put serious thought into the class questions in advance. Many students come to the course with a degree of familiarity with the earlier or later history of the USSR, but if that does not describe you then the course will provide you with more than enough to consider the topics in front of you. </p><p>An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class debate and discussion. <br/><strong>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</strong><br/> </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> </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>HEH128 The collapse of the USSR</p>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual179179116HEH107NONETue05/05/26 - 09/06/2619:30 - 21:3019:3021:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineNick MorganAvailable courses2026-05-05T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities179179USSR after Stalinussr-after-stalin/heh107-2526<p>Explore the political and social history of the Soviet Union from the death of Stalin in March 1953 to the fall of Khrushchev in October 1964</p><p><strong>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-05-05 00:00:00<p>Fundamentally, this course is interested in whether or not the Soviet Union ever managed to escape the ghost of Stalin in the decade after his death. How far could the USSR really de-Stalinise? What were the limits and why did they exist? To what extent was this effort made willingly by the leadership and to what extent was it forced by circumstance?</p><p> </p><p>Explore the political and social history of the Soviet Union from the death of Stalin in March 1953 to the fall of Khrushchev in October 1964</p><p><strong>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</strong></p><p>Over the six weeks of this course, you will learn about the political and social status quo in the Soviet Union in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War and up to Stalin’s death. You will learn about the political conflict at the top of the Party and State to succeed him, and discuss the outcome. You will learn about “de-Stalinization” and the efforts of the Khrushchev regime to reform the Soviet Union, and conclude with the downfall of Khrushchev and the rise of Brezhnev</p><ul><li>Set out a view on whether or not the USSR remained a “Stalinist” place in 1964. </li><li>Assess the importance of the leadership struggle in 1953 and its implications for the future. </li><li>Identify the key trends in Soviet politics and society in the 1950s and early 1960s. </li></ul><p> </p><p>This course is intended to be introductory, but that is not to say that it is simple. You will be given plentiful information in the lectures and extensive readings to undertake between classes—you should attend the course willing to put time aside for the readings and to put serious thought into the class questions in advance. Many students come to the course with a degree of familiarity with the earlier or later history of the USSR, but if that does not describe you then the course will provide you with more than enough to consider the topics in front of you. </p><p>An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class debate and discussion. <br/><strong>Note: if you already took the course “Communism in the USSR” in a previous year, then this course is not recommended.</strong><br/> </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> </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>HEH128 The collapse of the USSR</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
