This graduate-level course examines the fundamental interdependence of war and peace in Russian national consciousness. Students will investigate the deep historical roots of Russian war psychology from the Napoleonic Wars through World War II to current war in Ukraine, analyzing how sacred narratives of sacrifice, spiritual superiority, and defensive mission create a worldview where conflict exists on a continuous spectrum rather than in distinct states of war and peace. The course challenges Western binary thinking by revealing how Russians understand military action, information warfare, and diplomatic engagement as integrated tools within a holistic approach to power projection and national survival.

Students will develop strategic empathy skills—the ability to understand adversary mindsets without moral agreement—through intensive analysis of Russian-language primary sources including literature, journalism, film, and sociological studies. All course materials are in Russian, and class discussions are conducted primarily in Russian to enhance students’ language proficiency while engaging with complex theoretical concepts. Readings include works Russian and Soviet writers, contemporary polling data from Levada Center, journalistic investigations of military conflicts and their victims, and official documents expressing Russian strategic culture. This immersive Russian-language environment enables students to develop both analytical capabilities and linguistic fluency essential for careers in international security, diplomacy, and Russian studies.

The course methodology emphasizes pattern-break analysis to understand how Russian decision-making changes during crises. By mastering strategic empathy techniques while strengthening Russian language skills, graduates of the course will be prepared to analyze Russian behavior with sophisticated understanding of cultural, historical, and psychological factors that drive policy decisions in Moscow, providing essential expertise for navigating an increasingly complex international security environment.