[OT] Russia Anything!

[Azure Trance]

I'm taking a 300 level summer college course in the History of Russia from 1917 to the Modern Day. There is no final exam, instead it's a paper on nearly anything Russia, to paraphrase my professor. Last year someone did a paper on why we don't buy Russian oil instead of Arab oil, and he concluded it was because Russia doesn't have the infrastructure / equipment to mine it out of the Earth. Or perhaps on Russian rock music (t.A.t.U.). Minorities - Jews, Muslims. Where the aristocracy fled after 1917. How Ivan the Terrible utilized Cossacks. Etc.

He seemed leery of yet another WW2 / Stalin paper since that's what basically defined Russia in the past century, but in my (and perhaps his) opinion as long as it's interesting and novel, it's a good one to write on. It should be about 10-15 pages long. Are there any especially interesting, specific subjects you guys can share with me which would perhaps make a good topic to write on?

I'd appreciate any and all help! Thanks!

 

[Mark]

Talk to johnsemlak and do a paper on the history of Roleplaying Games in Russia.

(I'm sure he'll notice this thread when the world turns his way...)

 

[BiggusGeekus]

How about the current state of the Russian space program and/or how other nations use it?

 

[Darrin Drader]

How about a paper on the mutant incursion in Russia following the Chernobyl accident in the '80s? Perhapse find a way to tie that in with the Tokyo Godzilla attacks.

 

[dema]

hey

I think the rise in the underworld and the criminal issues would be nice. The effects that capitalism had on russia recently. I hear there are alot of drugs there, woman get married to any westerner for cash, or kill them and stuff of that nature.

I'm a russian living in america for 25 years ( I am 25 too) these are just things I hear from new comers and relatives.

 

[Sixchan]

I think the Russian "Rock" (isn't Tatu dance?) one could be best. Not only can you go and see Tatu, you would 'have' to go see other lesbian bands to compare them. Now you can enjoy their on-stage 'routines', all in the 'interests of science'.

Barring that, I'd maybe do a paper on the Invasions of Russia over history, discussing the various affects, starting with the original landings of the Rus, through the Mongol invasions and Napoleon's ill-fated assault, right up to Barbarossa in WWII.

Or, you could do Invasions BY Russia, detailing the invasions of the Ukraine, Finland, Post-Barbarossa Germany and China/Manchukuo (if they invaded there. The History Channel's documentary on Russi hasn't got there yet)

Another possibility could be a little Alternate History. Speculate on the effect of Serfdom not being instituted, the mysterious crashing of the Sealed Train (possibly coupled with the Kerensky Offensive not happening), the amazingly long life of Lenin into the Mid thirties, or Stalin in Mexico.

 

[trentonjoe]

SOme rather common but interesting (at least to me) topics could be:

Trotsky's goals
the failure of communism to gain the support of farmers
Soviet financial aid programs after WWII (Cuba, Africa, SE Europe)
SOviet involvement in Afganistan
The break between Tito and Russia
The conformist and nonconformist art of the soviet Union (there is currently a great art exhibit at Rutger's Zimmerli museum on this, not to far Long Island)

 

[Azure Trance]

I love these replies!

Sixchan, t.A.t.U. will be in NY for a concert this Sunday, but gimmicks can only go so far I think I'd shy away from broad topics like, the entire history of Russia getting invaded over the millennia since I think I'd have to cut out so much information it'd be a skimpy timeline. But I never thought about alternative events at all. I'll ask my professor if that could be a valid topic in case I do pick that.

Mark; there wouldn't be enough sources on that in the Library of Congress ...

Baraendur, check out this site: www.stalker-game.com . Chrenybol LIVES (in a Mad Max type setting).

Trenton Joe, Dema, BigGeek, I like all of your lists. Financial aid in supporting communism during the Cold War (anti-Marshall plan?), the Russian Mob, and Russia's role in space are all great ideas. It'll be a shame that I'll have to start weeding them out when I start looking for good sources though

Please, keep 'em coming. I always found Russia quite interesting in a "it's Europe but not really type of way." The Czars, the size, the peoples (and how they are binded / stuck together), and how everyone who keeps invading the Motherland gets their hineys whooped back West (except for the Mongol Horde).

 

[Storminator]

I love these replies!

Sixchan, t.A.t.U. will be in NY for a concert this Sunday, but gimmicks can only go so far I think I'd shy away from broad topics like, the entire history of Russia getting invaded over the millennia since I think I'd have to cut out so much information it'd be a skimpy timeline. <SNIP>

I'd do a paper paralleling the American westward expansion with the Russian eastward expansion. While America was conquering the Plains, Russia was taking over Siberia. Very interesting era.

Also, Russia was fairly unique in that one their western front they were hopelessly outclassed in technology, and made do with sheer manpower, while on the eastern front, they were technologically dominant but outnumbered.

PS

 

[jaerdaph]

How about a paper on Russia and the Internet - from its role in distributing news and information during the fall of the former Soviet Union when the State shut down other forms of communication, to its use for piracy and pornography site hosting today.