This course explores the political, social, cultural, and religious transformations of the Soviet Union and its successor states. From the Bolshevik Revolution to the collapse of the USSR and the complexities of the post-Soviet era, we will examine key themes such as totalitarianism, ideology, identity, memory, and geopolitical change. Through historical sources, scholarly analysis, and contemporary case studies, students will gain a nuanced understanding of how the Soviet legacy continues to shape the region today.

This course offers a foundational overview of the history and theology of the Orthodox Church, tracing its development from the apostolic age through the Byzantine era to modern times. Students will explore key events, figures, councils, and theological themes that have shaped Orthodox Christianity, including the early ecumenical councils, the Great Schism, the role of monasticism, and the experience of Orthodoxy under Ottoman and Communist rule. The course will also introduce central theological concepts such as the Trinity, the Incarnation, the sacraments, theosis (deification), and the liturgical life of the Church. Combining historical analysis with theological reflection, the course provides students with a deep and coherent understanding of the Orthodox tradition in its historical and spiritual context.

This course explores the rich theological tradition of Byzantium, focusing on the development of Eastern Orthodox thought from the early Church Fathers through the fall of Constantinople in 1453. We will examine key themes such as the Trinity, Christology, the role of icons, liturgy, apophatic theology, and the relationship between Church and Empire. Major theologians—such as Gregory of Nazianzus, Maximus the Confessor, John of Damascus, and Gregory —will be studied in their historical and spiritual context. Through close reading of primary texts and modern interpretations, students will gain a deeper understanding of how Byzantine theology shaped the life and identity of Eastern Christianity and continues to resonate in contemporary theological discourse.