Every day the war in the Ukraine dominates the daily news. The Russians have prosecuted a barbaric war that has horrified the world and the U.S supports the Ukrainians. To better understand the complexity of this struggle, we will review the history and culture of modern Ukraine including the development of the Ukrainian national movement and recognizing the components of other historical heritages (Jewish, Polish, Russian) that are also shaping modern Ukrainian identity. Some major issues include: the decadence of Polish rule; Russian and Austrian imperial rule; Jewish and Polish urban society; Ukrainian counterparts of the Bolshevik Revolution; Soviet terror; Nazi occupation and ethnic cleansing; problems of post-Soviet rule, the Orange Revolution and prospects for democracy.

Format: In addition to reading the text prior to each class, participants are expected to provide one 10–20-minute oral presentation, followed by a class discussion, on a suggested or approved topic.

Resources/Expenses: Our basic text will be Ukraine: What Everyone Needs to Know by Serhy Yekelchyk, Oxford University Press; 2nd edition (October 1, 2020). The paperback is available from Amazon for $12.99 with new and used copies available from Amazon and other sources from $5.96.