Adult Enrichment Classes - History of Russia and Ukraine / Middle East: Israeli - Palestine Issues
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1)Russia and Ukraine: Please join us for this three-part series on the Ukraine battle to survive Russia’s War, invasion, and Occupation.
a-The Russian War against Ukraine: Perspectives from the ground. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has been shocking and heartbreaking, yet the steadfast resistance of the Ukrainian people has been awe-inspiring. How have Ukrainians reacted, adjusted, and responded to the largest and most violent land invasion since World War II? This presentation offers unique insights through the perspectives of Ukrainian community leaders, artists, and war-relief workers, providing a comprehensive view of life and survival in Ukraine amidst the war.
Katja Kolcio, professor of dance at Wesleyan University has worked in Ukraine's arts and culture sphere since 1986. She has developed programs in psychosocial health and resilience to support Ukrainians.
b-Putin’s War: Who “wins”? What are the prospects for peace in Ukraine with a new president in the White House? What were Putin's goals in starting this war, and what would be his conditions for a ceasefire? What are the factors behind Moscow's belief that it can still win the war and achieve all its objectives?
Peter Rutland, Professor of History at Wesleyan University
c-Ukraine and Democracy: As Ukraine continues to fight for survival, it has also been expected to implement necessary domestic reforms, especially given the levels of Western aid. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, and thousands killed or wounded, and they continue to endure bombardments of schools, hospitals, residential buildings, and power plants. Since Ukraine could not hold a scheduled election this year due to martial law, President Zelensky has entered his sixth year in office and faces many challenges governing a war-torn country. What is the state of democracy in Ukraine after more than two years of Russia’s full-scale war and without elections in sight? How should the U.S. be supporting democracy in a war-torn country?
Olena Lennon, Professor of History at the University of New Haven
2) The Middle East Then and Now: Are you interested in the geopolitical issues of the Middle East, particularly gaining an understanding of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict? This two-part series will provide you with a history of Jerusalem under Islam. It will cover the conquest of the city by Muslim Arabs, the Crusades, and how the city became the symbol of legitimacy for the non-Arab Muslim dynasties. The city's political and religious significance will be examined in detail. The talk will cover the roots and the development of the modern-day conflict over the Holy Land from the nineteenth century until today. Some of the topics to be discussed are the rise of European colonialism and World War I, the foundation of the State of Israel, decolonization, and the rise of Palestinian resistance organizations.
Hasan Karatas, Visting professor of History at Wesleyan University