Series of lessons based on an interview with Aleksandr Logunov
Aleksandr Logunov, dean of the Department of History and Law at the Russian State Humanities University, describes the changing perspectives throughout Russian history on some of Russia's most controversial leaders.
Request license to download series of five lessons
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| Lesson Title | Authors | Short Description |
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| Lesson 1: Historical Figures | Shannon Spasova, with Darya Vassina, Nina Familiant, Benjamin Rifkin, Dianna Murphy | This lesson introduces students to Logunov’s general arguments about historical figures that will inform his discussion of the specific examples in later lessons. Two clips from the lesson discuss historical figures generally. In a third clip, Vladimir Lenin is used as an example of a historical figure whose image changes throughout history, and students are expected to analyze a variety of evidence about Lenin’s changing image. Recommended pages for print-out and discussion: 10/20, 20/20. |
Lesson 2: Peter the Great |
Shannon Spasova, with Darya Vassina, Nina Familiant, Benjamin Rifkin, Dianna Murphy | This lesson emphasizes Peter’s uniqueness as a tsar based on four clips. It also focuses on the way that Peter’s image has changed throughout history and depending on political perspective. Students also analyze artistic representations of Peter and learn about his legacy in literature connected with St. Petersburg. They organize arguments and evidence using outlines. Recommended page for print-out and discussion: 4/19. |
| Lesson 3: Catherine the Great | Shannon Spasova, with Darya Vassina, Nina Familiant, Benjamin Rifkin, Dianna Murphy | This lesson is based on three clips that focus on Catherine’s handling of difficulties that she faced. Students also learn about her relationship to Peter I and some of her political views. They work with expressions of necessity and identify intentions, as well as work with gestures. Recommended page for print-out and discussion: 12/18. |
| Lesson 4: Khrushchev and the Cold War | Shannon Spasova, with Darya Vassina, Nina Familiant, Benjamin Rifkin, Dianna Murphy | This lesson examines the image of Nikita Khrushchev and his role in the Cold War based on two clips and introduces him as a contradictory and controversial figure. Students learn about the controversies surrounding Khrushchev’s relationship with the West, including the infamous incident at the United Nations. Recommended page for print-out and discussion: 7/20, 14/20. |
| Lesson 5: Khrushchev and the Thaw | Shannon Spasova, with Darya Vassina, Nina Familiant, Benjamin Rifkin, Dianna Murphy | This lesson focuses on Khrushchev’s policy of de-Stalinization as well as his contradictory relationship with artists in the Soviet Union. The lesson is based on three clips from the interview with Logunov. Students learn about how Khrushchev is remembered in Russia now. They also work with the structure of an argument. Recommended page for print-out and discussion: 18/21, 21/21. |
