Course Description
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Course Name
Communism
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Host University
University of Glasgow
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Location
Glasgow, Scotland
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Area of Study
Political Science
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Course Level Recommendations
Upper
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
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Scotcat Credits
20 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits5
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units7
Hours & Credits
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Overview
The aim of this course is to consider the theory and practice that have informed communist rule from its outset (in Soviet Russia in 1917) to the present day, giving due attention to the global nature of communist rule and to its place within the politics of the left more broadly.At one time about a third of the world?s population lived under communist rule. It persists today in the world?s most populous country, China, and elsewhere in Asia and Latin America. It has been one of the most influential political philosophies we have ever seen, and its history is studied more actively than ever before on the basis of the archives and other sources that have recently become available. The aim of this course is to consider the theory and practice that have informed communist rule from its outset (in Soviet Russia in 1917) to the present day, giving due attention to the global nature of communist rule and to its place within the politics of the left more broadly.By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. analyse the ideas that have informed communist rule, including the critiques that were mounted at various times by social democrats and critical Marxists;
2. critically assess the operation of a ?mature? communist political system, such as the USSR in the 1970s and 1980s;
3. explain the historical record of communist rule; and
4. elucidate the reasons that led to the demise of communist rule in Eastern Europe and the USSR at the end of the 1980s.
Assessment
Summative assessment will be based entirely on a three hour, unseen written examination.
Course Disclaimer
Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.
Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.