In this course, we will examine 100 years of Russian history by looking closely at the personalities of its rulers: Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khruschev, Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin. Each week, we will consider one of these major Soviet or post-Soviet leaders. We will explore their personal backgrounds, how they each came to power and held on to power, how their personalities and peculiarities affected the course of Russian history, and how they each ended their term in power. We will also consider each man’s legacy and will indeed contemplate why they were all men.

Course Trailer: The Last 100 Years of Russian Rulers: From Stalin to Putin (Vimeo)

Note: Registration for the Summer Osher National Online courses will close on Tuesday, January 6, 2027.

Osher Online™ courses are not recorded.