THE CHOICES PROGRAM BROWN UNIVERSITY
VIDEO COLLECTION

Russia and the United States: Perspectives from History—Choices for Today

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Introduction: A New Russia

What was the Cold War?
How have U.S.-Russia relations evolved since the end of the Cold War?

Part I: Exploring Russia’s Past

How did geography affect the governance of the Russian empire?
What was the U.S. Cold War “containment” policy?
What were relations between the United States and the Soviet Union like during the Cold War?
What is deterrence?
How was Gorbachev different from other Soviet leaders?

Part II: Russia after the Soviet Union—Political and Economic Change

What were the most significant political changes in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union?
What were the most significant economic changes in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union?
What were the effects of shock therapy?
How has Russian society changed since the end of the Soviet Union?
How did Putin change Russia?

Part III: Russia and the United States

What is the rationale for the United States and Russia having thousands of nuclear weapons?
What is cyberwarfare?
What are the potential effects of cyberwarfare?
What are some major sources of tension between Russia and the United States?
What is the “near abroad”?
How do Russia’s neighbors regard Russia?
Why has Russia annexed Crimea?

Lesson: Examining Assumptions About U.S and Soviet Cold War Policy

What were the ideological divisions between the United States and the Soviet Union?
What was the Cold War?
What were relations between the United States and the Soviet Union like during the Cold War?

Lesson: U.S. and Soviet Propaganda

What can art reveal about history or current events?
How do you go about analyzing a work of art?

Lesson: Express Your Views

What kind of a relationship should the United States strive to have with Russia?
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