The Return of Stalin: Personality Cults in Modern Russia

Despite having been dead for nearly 70 years, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin still remains a polarizing figure in Russian history. While many understand the extent of the damage this tyrannical leader inflicted upon his own people, a small but growing personality cult has been built up around Stalin, with many pointing to his leadership during World War 2 as a reason why he should be celebrated. This course looks at the modern-day debate surrounding Joseph Stalin and how it acts as a reflection on modern Russian society. Some of the key vocabulary from this course includes – репрессированный   – repressed person; тиран  – tyrant; Сталинизм – Stalinism; искажение  – distortion