Spring 2026 Courses with Russia, East Europe, and Eurasian Content

Area Studies

BCS 115 South Slavic Cultures

Peter Wright

Sec A—12:30PM-1:50PM, TR, 165 Noyes Laboratory, Lecture-Discussion

Exploration of South Slavic cultures in the historically rich and complex region sometimes referred to as "the Balkans," focusing particularly on those groups found within the successor states of the former Yugoslavia. Critical look at the traditional view of the region as the crossroads or the bridge between East and West, and at the term Balkanization which has become a pejorative term used to characterize fragmented, and self-defeating social systems.

EURO 418 /GER 418/FR 418/ITAL 418/LING 418/PS 418/SLAV 418/SPAN 418/FR 418 Languages & Minorities in Europe*

Zsuzsanna Fagyal

Sec 1G/1U – 4:00PM-5:20PM, W, M(Online), 321 Gregory Hall, Lecture-Discussion/Online

Introduction to political, judicial, linguistic, and cultural issues concerning indigenous and migrant/immigrant languages in the countries of the European Union. Focuses on political and judicial issues, such as legal aspects of bilingual education and minority language use, as well as linguistic and cultural aspects, such as assimilation, language-mixing, and language change. Survey of regional and immigrant minority language use, policies, and planning across Europe. Focus on political and social issues, such as language regimes, education, loss, and maintenance. Two immigrant languages, Turkish and Arabic/Berber, and four indigenous language families: Balto-Slavic with Estonian, Celtic, Romance with Basque, and Slavic with Hungarian. Taught in English. 

EURO 500 Dialogue on Europe*

David Schrag

Sec A—3:00PM-4:50PM, M, 1018 LCLB, Lecture-Discussion

Exploration of a variety of subjects about the European Union and EU-US relations and comparative perspectives. This transatlantic relationship will be studied via a series of expert lectures offered by University of Illinois faculty and visiting scholars. This seminar is a roundtable exploring a variety of topics related to Europe, transatlantic relations, the European Union, and the peripheries. Students will have an opportunity to participate in regular conversations about current issues ranging from cultural policies, migration, economic policies, bureaucratic politics, international security, sports, popular culture, and other topics of high salience to Europe and the European Union. Opportunities for guest speakers and readings on professionalization. Open to undergraduate and graduate students.

EURO 502 The EU in a Global Context*

Amanda Smith

SEC AS—12:00PM-2:50PM, R, 1046 LCLB, Lecture-Discussion

Introduces students to the role of the EU in international affairs. European Union history, politics, law, culture and identity. 

GGIS 221/GLBL 221 Geographies of Global Conflict*

Brian Jordan Jefferson

Sec AD1—11:00AM-11:50AM, F, 137C Davenport Hall, Discussion/Recitation

Sec AD2—12:00PM-12:50PM, F, 137C Davenport Hall, Discussion/Recitation

Sec AL1—11:00AM-11:50AM, MW, 1002 Lincoln Hall, Lecture

Focuses on geopolitical conflicts over ideology, resources, and territory from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. Examines these conflicts from the perspectives of political geography and political theory.

GLBL 260 Global Human Rights*

David Schrag

Sec A—3:30PM-4:50PM, TR, 1051 Lincoln Hall, Lecture-Discussion

Examines how ideas about human rights are defined and how they are differentially deployed. Looks at human rights claims and crises, and examines how governmental and non-governmental individuals and organizations have sought to deal with human rights violations in order to address problems of justice, retribution, and reconciliation at personal, national, and international levels.

GLBL 392 Int Diplomacy and Negotiation*

Timothy Wedig

Sec AD3—11:00AM-11:50AM, F, 1051 Lincoln Hall, Discussion/Recitation

SEC AL1—3:00PM-3:50PM, MW, 1028 Lincoln Hall, Lecture

Examines the complexities of international diplomacy and negotiations among states and other actors. Focuses on three main subject areas: negotiation analysis, applied negotiation, and the interaction of practical considerations that affect negotiations. Utilizes theoretical, case-based, and active-learning approaches during the semester as topics are explored in detail. Issues and topics include security, public health, economic development, human rights, and the environment.

GLBL 500 Global Society*

Andrew Guth

Sec A—4:00PM-6:20PM, T, 156 Henry Administration Bldg, Lecture-Discussion

Sec GA—4:00PM-6:20PM, T, Online

Students will examine three propositions: (1) the existence of a global society; (2) the flaws of its principal, global institutions – the state, markets, and democracy; and (3) absent their reform, whether the global society is at risk. 

Students in Sec A, the synchronous in-person hybrid section (SIH), will be expected to attend the class synchronously at UIUC on Fridays from 12:30-2:30pm CST. This class also has an asynchronous segment as explained in the syllabus (in process, email the course instructor at andyguth@illinois.edu).

 Students in Sec GA, the synchronous online hybrid section (SOH), will be expected to attend the class synchronously on Zoom on Fridays from 12:30-2:30pm CST. This class also has an asynchronous segment as explained in the syllabus (in process, email the course instructor at andyguth@illinois.edu).

GLBL 501 Perspectives on Global Studies*

Steve Witt

Sec ZG—6:00PM-7:50PM, M, Online

Provides graduate students in a variety of fields with an understanding of key global concepts and methods, and introduces them to different perspectives on globalization and transnational social relations.

Global Studies is an emerging and rapidly changing field. It is well on the way to becoming a new field of study among the major research universities in the United States and abroad. It is also more than a discipline. Today it is increasingly expected that holders of graduate degrees—whether professional degrees in Medicine, Law or Business, Masters or Ph.D.—also acquire an understanding of key global concepts and debates along with training in their primary disciplines. This course provides that much-needed analytical and methodological understanding.

HIST 142 Modern Europe and the World*

Tamara Chaplin

Sec ADA—10:00AM-10:50AM, F, 331 Gregory Hall, Discussion/Recitation

Sec ADB—3:30PM-4:20PM, R, 115 English Building, Discussion/Recitation

Sec ADC—1:00PM-1:50PM, F, 243 Armory, Discussion/Recitation 

Sec AL1—11:00AM-11:50AM, MW, 223 Gregory Hall, Lecture

Fundamental developments - social, economic, cultural, intellectual, and political - in the history of mankind and Western society since 1660; includes the rise of modern science, the French and Industrial revolutions, the Romantic movement, the growth of nationalism and socialism, imperialism, urbanization, the Russian Revolution, Nazi Germany, the world wars, and the West and the developing world. 

Over the course of the past three and a half centuries, European development—cultural, economic, social, political, and intellectual—has had an enormous impact on the world we live in today. European history has also been vital to the creation of what we think of as “identity”: how we define and describe ourselves, and how we define and describe others. This semester we will learn how events, inventions, and ideologies (from wars, revolutions, slavery, railroads, and computers, to nationalism, Nazism, feminism, imperialism, and colonialism) have contributed to the evolution of modern European history while also influencing how we imagine and understand ourselves. The historical analysis of text, music, art, and film will be integral to our work. 

HIST 143 Modern Europe and the World – ACP*

Tamara Chaplin

Sec AD1—12:00PM-12:50PM, MW, 1020 Lincoln Hall, Discussion/Recitation 

Sec AD2—3:00PM-3:50PM, MW, 1020 Lincoln Hall, Discussion/Recitation 

Sec AL1—11:00AM-11:50AM, MW, 223 Gregory Hall, Lecture

Course is identical to HIST 142 except for the additional writing component.

Credit is not given for both HIST 143 and HIST 142.

HIST 209 World War II: A Global History*

Stefan Djordjevic

Sec AD1—2:00PM-2:50PM, W, 221 Gregory Hall, Discussion/Recitation

Sec AD2—12:00PM-12:50PM, F, 223 David Kinley Hall, Discussion/Recitation

Sec AD3—3:00PM-3:50PM, W, 217 Gregory Hall, Discussion/Recitation 

Sec AD4—1:00PM-1:50PM, F, 322 David Kinley Hall, Discussion/Recitation 

Sec AD5—9:30AM-10:20AM, R, 212 David Kinley Hall, Discussion/Recitation

Sec AD6—3:30PM-4:50PM, R, 322 David Kinely Hall, Discussion/Recitation 

Sec AL1—12:00PM-12:50PM, MW, 213 Greogry Hall, Lecture 

Traces the political, military, social, and economic history of the Second World War. Key themes include the collapse of the Versailles system, the Interwar crisis of democracy, the rise of totalitarian regimes, the civilian experience of war, the intersection of ideology and violence, and the onset of the Nuclear Age. By the end of this course, students will have improved their ability to analyze primary sources and develop source-based historical arguments.

HIST 269/JS 269/REL 269 Jewish History Since 1700

Anastasiia Strakhova

Sec B—11:00AM-11:50AM, MWF, 1060 Wymer Hall, Lecture-Discussion

Explores how life was lived by Jewish women and men through the past three centuries. Will also focus on wider place of the Jews in European society, and the achievements and tragedies of the modern Jewish-non-Jewish relationship.

The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries witnessed a profound transformation in Jewish life, culture and religion. During this time, Jews emerged out of their "ghettos" and enjoyed unprecedented economic and professional success. These transformations included changes in every facet of life - from occupations and residence, family life and marriage, as well as religious behavior, social integration, and political expression. Yet Jewish modernization differed from region to region and was imbued with profound contradictions and tensions. What did it mean to be a Jew in the modern world? How were Jewish identities redefined in response to the social and political opportunities, as well as the hostilities and hatreds, of the modern age? How did the Holocaust realign the political and cultural geographies of Jewish life?

HIST 348 Early Euro Absolutism & Expansion* 

Craig Koslofsky

Sec A—2:00PM-3:20PM, MW, 215 David Kinley Hall, Lecture-Discussion 

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries Europeans transformed political relations within Europe and their economic relationships with the wider world. This course examines continuities and change from 1600 to 1789, following the themes of authority and power. Topics include the rise of "absolute monarchy" and its alternatives in countries like, England and the Netherlands, as well as European trade and consumption, popular culture, the family, food, clothing, sexuality, and labor.

 In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries Europeans transformed politics within Europe as they expanded their economic reach into the rest of the world. This course examines the period from about 1600 to 1789 – the era of Shakespeare, Pocahontas, Louis XIV, Spinoza, Bach, Voltaire, and Catherine the Great. We’ll follow two key themes, authority and power, by discussing primary sources on the rise of "absolute monarchy" and its alternatives, as well as the growth of the Atlantic slave trade, the European consumption of tobacco, sugar, tea, coffee, and chocolate, as well as histories of the family, food, clothing, sexuality, and labor.

HIST 351 Nations in History*

Marco Jaimes

Sec A—9:30AM-10:50AM, TR, 321 Gregory Hall, Lecture-Discussion

The history of nationalism will be examined, both as a theoretical and a historical understanding of belonging. Starting with an analysis of the theories of nationalism, we will explore whether societies in the ancient and early modern periods had such conceptions of association. A large part of the course will be devoted to examining this phenomenon in the 19th and 20th centuries as nationalism fueled state formations, revolutions, and wars.

HIST 354 Twentieth Century Europe: The Making of Europe in Prague 

Stefan Djordjevic

Marco Jaimes

Sec A—6:00PM-7:50PM, W, 215 Davenport Hall, Lecture-Discussion/Travel

Cultural history of Europe in an age of global warfare and political, social, and economic upheaval. The Making of Europe in Prague Description: This is a study abroad course in Prague, Czechia. Tour one of Europe's most beautiful cities and visit locations where history was made: Wenceslas Square, the Jewish Quarter, Prague Castle, the Theresienstadt Ghetto, and the National Opera. Immerse yourself in Czech culture while exploring the region's complex history of ethnic and confessional pluralism, medieval legacies, the rise and fall of empires, and the transformation of European identity. To apply for this course and for additional information, please visit the LAS Study Abroad Website.

HIST 400 War, Society, Politics & Culture – Catastrophe in Modern Times*

Peter Fritzsche

Sec G2--2:30PM-1:50PM, TR, Lecture-Discussion 

Sec G4--12:30PM-1:50PM, TR, Lecture-Discussion

Sec U3--12:30PM-1:50PM, TR, Lecture-Discussion 

 In this interdisciplinary course, we will explore “catastrophe and the modern imagination,” pairing non-fiction with fiction and thus analyses of catastrophe with the politics of its representation. We will begin the course with an examination of “crisis” and “polycrisis,” and then proceed to an in-depth literary investigation of the plague in London in 1665 (Defoe) in order to launch a study of how “modern times” incurs “catastrophe.” As we proceed, our nineteenth- and twentieth-century topics will include the science of extinction as well as revolution, colonialism, economic depression, the world wars, genocide, and, finally, global warming and the political condition of globalism in the present day. Students will participate actively in the class and write a series of critical essays about selected readings across the semester.

HIST 456 Twentieth-Century Germany

Peter Fritzsche

Sec G4—11:00AM-12:20PM, TR, G32 LCLB, Lecture-Discussion 

Sec U3—11:00AM-12:20PM, TR, G32 LCLB, Lecture-Discussion 

Political upheavals of twentieth-century Germany; topics include the First World War's impact on German society, the war's revolutionary aftermath, the political struggles and cultural achievements of the Weimar Republic, the rise of Hitler, the Third Reich, the Holocaust, the Second World War, and the divided postwar Germanies; novels and films complement readings. The emphasis of this class is on what some observers refer to as the “German Century,” the period between 1890 and 1990 when Germany emerged as the most modern, the most revolutionary, and the most belligerent nation-state in Europe. Germany was the site of extraordinary cultural innovation and often lethal political experimentation, it was the major protagonist in two world wars, and it remained an important economic powerhouse throughout this period. The course will track the political, social, and cultural developments from the empire of Wilhelm II to the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, the division of Germany in the Cold War, and finally the reunification of the “Berlin Republic.”

HIST 560 Problems in Russian History – Privilege, Obligation and Empire in Russia 1762-1934

John Randolph

Sec A—1:00PM-2:50PM, T, 1040 LCLB, Discussion/Recitation 

How do privilege and obligation work in everyday life? By what means are some people empowered to act freely, while others are subordinated to perform specific roles? This history seminar will explore these questions on the basis of experiences drawn from the history of Russian empire. Chronologically, the course will consider several waves of emancipation and subordination across Eurasia and several state formations, from absolutism to early socialism. Substantively, the course will combine innovative, comparative theoretical readings on privilege and obligation with in-depth consideration of primary sources drawn from literature, politics, music, the history of communication, revolution, and repression. Our focus will be on understanding the full range of factors that go into the making of freedom and unfreedom in society, as well as the cultural forms through which they are imagined and expressed.

IS 461 Russian, East European, and Eurasian Bibliography & Research Methods 

Kit Condill

Sec ACG—1:00PM-3:50PM, F, 131 Grad Sch of Lib & Info Science, Lecture-Discussion 

Sec ACU—1:00PM-3:50PM, F, 131 Grad Sch of Lib & Info Science, Lecture-Discussion 

With a focus on Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia, students will investigate this fascinating part of the world, how it has been studied and represented by generations of scholars, scientists, writers, artists, government officials, and others, and how the many fruits of their labors are (or are not) accessible to us today. This course is intended to provide all necessary tools for the conduct of effective research in the field of Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies for both scholars and librarians. Relying on the rich bibliographic tradition of Russia, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, the latest techniques, strategies, databases and full-text options will be explored and explained. Topics include national bibliography, archival materials, émigré publications, rare books, open-Web resources, citation management tools, and web archiving, with particular emphasis on the transliteration systems, abbreviations, bibliographic and cataloging conventions, and constant troubleshooting that are essential to efficient REEES research. Attention is also paid to information architecture in general and the ways that historical, political, intellectual and technological phenomena affect access to published and unpublished research materials.

JS 201/REL 212 History of Antisemitism*

Eli Rosenblatt

Sec ER—11:00AM-12:20PM, TR, 111 David Kinley Hall, Lecture

Studies the negative representations of Judaism and Jews from antiquity to the modern world. Topics include: Greco-Roman concepts of the Jewish religion; medieval Christian symbolization of the demonic Jew; Jews and negative attitudes to capitalism; blood purity and blood libel; the rise of racial prejudice in the modern nation state; totalitarianism and genocide; antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

NPRE 483/GLBL 483 Seminar on Security*

James Stubbins

Sec A—4:00PM-4:50PM, M, 2036 Campus Instructional Facility, Lecture-Discussion

Preparation of reports on a set of introductory lectures and student choices from various on-campus seminar series relevant to technology of domestic and international security and the regional and international contexts that influence the nature of security problems.

PHYS 280/GLBL 280 Nuclear Weapons & Arms Control*

Matthias Grosse Perdekamp

Sec A—2:00PM-3:20PM, TR, 218 Ceramics Building, Lecture

Sec L11—10:00AM-10:50AM, M, 4036 Campus Instructional Facility, Laboratory

Sec L12—11:00AM-11:50AM, M, 4036 Campus Instructional Facility, Laboratory

Sec L13—12:00PM-12:50PM, M, 4036 Campus Instructional Facility, Laboratory

Sec L14—1:00PM-1:50PM, M, 4036 Campus Instructional Facility, Laboratory

Sec L15—2:00PM-2:50PM, M, 4036 Campus Instructional Facility, Laboratory

Sec L16—3:00PM-3:50PM, M, 4036 Campus Instructional Facility, Laboratory

Nontechnical analysis of the physics of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapon effects, delivery systems, and defenses against nuclear attack; presentation of current issues; basis for making informed judgments about nuclear armaments and arms control.

POL 115 Intro to Polish Culture

George Gasyna

Sec A—12:30PM-1:50PM, TR, 259 English Building, Lecture Discussion 

Introduction to Polish culture and literature from a broad historical perspective. Drawing on novels and plays, film, the visual arts, and works of historical research, the course provides students with the basic concepts, methodologies and theories of literary and cultural interpretation, with an emphasis on modern Polish culture (1800-2010) within a broader European context.

PS 283/GLBL 283 Intro to Intl Security*

Don Casler

Sec AL1—3:30PM-4:20PM, TR, 123 Bevier Hall, Lecture

Sec AD1, 9:00AM-9:50AM, F, 212 Davenport Hall, Discussion/Recitation

Sec AD2—10:00AM-10:50AM, F, 212 Davenport Hall, Discussion/Recitation

Sec AD3—2:00PM-2:50PM, F, 1022 LCLB, Discussion/Recitation

Surveys the major issues associated with arms control, disarmament and international security. Also examines the military, socio-economic, and political dimensions of weapons systems, military strategy, the ethics of modern warfare, nuclear proliferation, and regional security issues.

REES 496 Contemporary Autocracy in Theory, Law and Practice 

Maxim Krupskii

Sec A—3:00PM-4:50PM, T, 1060 Lincoln Hall, Lecture-Discussion 

Sec UG—3:00PM-4:50PM, T, 1060 Lincoln Hall, Lecture-Discussion

 Based on case studies from Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia, this class explores contemporary legal, media, and political practices used by autocratic actors to assert their power. The course analyzes the impact of these practices on the rule of law, human rights and freedoms, sustainable development, and democracy in general, both in the region and globally. It provides a historical overview of the development of autocratic practices, an introduction to its scholarly analysis using concepts from law, philosophy, and politics, and an investigation of specific contemporary examples. The course will be delivered in a seminar format. There are no prerequisites, although familiarity with political context in the region is helpful.

REES 496 The South Caucasus

Maureen Marshall

Sec TP—2:00PM-4:50PM, W, 106 David Kinley Hall, Seminar

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, the countries of the South Caucasus, are perhaps best known historically as a geographical (and geological) fault zone “between East and West” that is set against stunning mountain backdrops, imposing stone architecture, and traditions of hospitality. Today, the region is attracting refugees, adventure tourists, and international energy corporations, even as each country continues to deal with periods of stagnation, conflict, and rapid change following the collapse of the U.S.S.R. This course will take an anthropological perspective on the South Caucasus, drawing on archaeological and ethnographic studies as well as interdisciplinary texts (geography, history, political science, sociology) and media (dance, film, artwork, song) to explore the foundational myths, historical landscapes, and cultures of the South Caucasus from the Paleolithic to the Roman period and the Medieval to the Post-Soviet present. Importantly, we will read and discuss authors and artists from the region and diaspora to critically engage with Western and Russian conceptions of the South Caucasus. Together as a class we will explore the intersection of history, politics, religion, and the arts with identity, ethnicity, and subjectivity.

RUSS 122/AFRO 122/CWL 122 Russia and Black America

Richard Tempest

Daria Ponomareva

Sec. AD2 – 3:00PM-4:50PM, F, 156 English Building, Discussion/Recitation

Sec AD3 – 3:00PM-4:50PM, F, 309 English Building, Discussion/Recitation

Sec AL1—3:00PM-4:50PM, MW, 138 Henry Administration Building, Lecture

A survey of the interactions and intersections between key African American figures and cultural practices, and Russian imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet culture, in a historical, social, and political context, with emphasis on Russian-sourced cultural transfers that influenced and sometimes shaped the Black American experience and which functioned as the currency and medium of the African American–Russian connection.

RUSS 225/CWL 249 Soviet and Post-Soviet Lit

Olha Khometa

Sec A – 12:30PM-1:50PM, TR, G20 LCLB, Lecture-Discussion

Major works from 1900 to the present; futurism, modernism, Stalinism, post-modernism, and after; writers may include Mayakovsky, Babel, Olesha, Akhmatova, Bulgakov, Nabokov, Solzhenitsyn, Tolstaya, and others; readings and discussion in English.

RUSS 323/CWL 323/ENG 323 Tolstoy

Valeria Sobol

Sec U3—2:00PM-3:20PM, TR, 226 Wohlers Hall, Lecture-Discussion

Introduction to the major works of Lev Tolstoy. No Russian required. This course will focus on close reading of Tolstoy’s masterpiece War and Peace and its historical and cultural context.

RUSS 335/CWL 335 Nabokov

Richard Tempest

Sec A – 11:00AM-12:50PM, W, 1112 LCLB, Lecture-Discussion

Nabokov' s Russian and American novels read in a comparative context. All works in English, no knowledge of Russian is required.

RUSS 513 Russian Literature 1905-1955

Olha Khometa

Sec OK—12:00PM-2:20PM, F, 1020 Lincoln Hall, Lecture-Discussion 

Survey of major developments in Russian literature and culture between the early 1900s and the mid-1950s, from the Silver Age to the beginning of the Thaw period, in poetry, prose and drama. Students will learn about major literary trends of the time, such as Modernism, Avant-garde, and Socialist Realism, and the scholarly approaches and interpretations that have shaped our understanding of the period.

Prerequisite: Knowledge of Russian is required or consent of the instructor. Graduate standing in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures or consent of the instructor.

RUSS 535 Nabokov

Richard Tempest

Sec A—11:00AM-12:50PM, W, 1112 LCLB, Lecture-Discussion 

Study of Nabokov's Russian and American novels in the original Russian and English, read in a comparative and theoretical context.

SLAV 120

David Cooper

Sec B—3:30PM-4:50PM, TR, Lecture-Discussion 

Introduction to Russian and East European folktales, focusing on folk beliefs, fairy tales, and folk narratives in Slavic languages from a comparative perspective, with an emphasis on methods of analysis and the role of gender.

SLAV 419/MACS 419 Russian & East European Film—Yugoslav Cinema

Peter Wright

Sec G4—1:20PM-2:50PM, MW, 317 Gregory Hall, Lecture-Discussion

Sec UG3—1:20PM-2:50PM, MW, 317 Greogry Hall, Lecture-Discussion

Study and analysis of major film makers, genres, trends, and theories, including the 1920's Soviet avant garde and the Polish and Czech "New Wave" since 1953; lectures, discussions, screenings, term paper. No reading knowledge of Russian required, except for majors in Slavic Languages and Literatures.

TURK 490 Special Topics in Turkish – Language and Culture in Turkey

Ayse Ozcan

Eman Saadah

Sec A1—11:00AM-11:50AM, MWF, G17 LCLB, Lecture-Discussion 

Provides an opportunity to focus on various aspects of Turkish language, culture, and society.

Languages