USEM 1580

Urbanovich rocks. He lived the Soviet Union, so he's basically the expert on the course material. His grading is very lenient, and he really cares about everyone in the class. The lectures can get dry occasionally, but overall he is a really smart guy with a lot to share.

I think the USEM "America Through Russian Eyes" with him. Yuri is an amazing professor and its an honor to learn from someone who lived in the Soviet Union during the Cold War! 2.5 hours at once can sometimes be long, but the class is still really interesting. Yuri values respect, so don't be on your phone, and close your laptop during videos. You only have to write one short paragraph a week of what questions you have, and doing that is half your grade. Also talk a lot and raise your hand and volunteer, he likes that, and he likes to hear your opinions. HE WILL CHALLENGE YOU and make you feel like you are wrong, but that's okay. That's the point. He wants to challenge you on things like "Why do we demonize Putin", etc. The tests aren't too bad, just type up notes in class and I recommend studying in groups and going through his study guides. HE IS A FIRM BELIEVER OF EVEN IF YOU FAIL THE TESTS, YOU CANS ILL GET AN A if you articipated in class and shared your mind. Really interesting class, strongly recommend!

One of the more difficult USEMs. Tests are fairly/easily graded, but you definitely need to have a comprehensive knowledge base to even have a chance at them.

Very engaging professor (honestly one of the best) and course material. Great course to acquire a strong foundation on Eastern European and Russian history. Weekly readings and collaborative group presentations on current events.

A two and a half hour class, although only once a week. It does get long, but Professor Urbanovich has a lot of experience and knowledge in the area. If you have the chance to take his class, DO IT. It's very rare that you'll get the chance to get taught about the Soviet Union by someone who lived there. His teachings can be rather biased, but if you're smart enough to sort that out you should do fine. He's an easy grader when it comes to tests, which aren't really difficult. I definitely recommend doing the reading and participating in class; make sure you upload questions before each class! Overall, if you're interested in the topic it's a must-take course.

This class was just okay- I was expecting a lot more. I came in knowing nothing about Russia or the Soviet Union, and I did come out knowing a lot more, but the process was extremely long and boring. The seminars are 2.5 hours long once a week and this can be a lot when there is not a lot of discussion and Yuri lectures on and on about Russia. This class would have been a lot better if I would have come into it with prior knowledge because he often asked questions that no one in our class knew the answer to. Yuri is a great guy, but his class is just ok.

Best class to fill a 3 credit gap if you need to. The professor is awesome, he's very knowledgeable. Sometimes you may find yourself trying not to fall asleep but eventually you see that you've learned things. Yuri makes you participate and listens to you. It is hard to get him agree to your answer, mainly because he has the information to deny every claim about almost everything. If I ever need a recommendation, I would get from him.

Participation is key. As long as you pay attention and actively participate, there are no problems whatsoever. "Uncle Yuri" is awesome. and hysterical.

As a Georgian growing up in the former USSR, Yuri is THE man to learn Soviet history from. Very friendly and knowledgable. Midterm and Final. Mostly based on what he taught in class. Very fair questions and grading.

I would have to say that Yuri is my all-time favorite professor. He has the cutest accent, overly respects his students and is a very very fair grader. I will take all of his classes at UVA if possible. The class seems hard at first, but he explains all the readings and never gives you a hard time if you don't read them. Also, the midterm and final are super-curved so everyone ends up with an A or A-, or if you did really badly, with a B. Definitely take this class!

Yuri has the cutest accent and is very knowledgeable on the topic. He pushes us in discussion to think as politicians, challenging us to think critically and analytically at what motivates policy and international relations. But because he is so knowledgeable on the topic, it is hard to satisfy him with answers, and he usually ends up having to explain the material. Russian history is very complex and complicated, but also interesting.

This class is amazing-- even if it is really early in the morning. Urbanovich is a great professor and lectures are very interesting. If you have any interest in the USSR, or just foreign affairs in general, take this class!

This is for the Rise/Fall of the USSR, and once we got to the material the class actually was advertising to be covered, it was quite interesting. Sadly, that did not happen until Mid-October, so hearing Urbanovich lecture about Russian history was pretty boring for 2.5 hours and pretty monotoneous. That being said, he grades extremely easily and does have a ridiculous amount of info to share about the topic, so if you can survive boring 'seminars' with very little class interaction and need an easy A to start off your First Year, then this is the class for you. It does require a bit of background knowledge and reading, but overall nothing too horrific. Final was 3 essays, all the tests were MC/Short Answer and were 20 questions.

While yes he is a pretty good lecturer, you will fall asleep. Professor Urbanovich is very knowledgeable on his subject but he will respond badly to any form of anti-Russia information or anything that may say that he's wrong.

Professor Urbanovich is a great lecturer, very passionate, though sometimes a little biased toward Russia, which is understandable.

I LOVED this class. Urbanovich is very enthusiastic about what he's teaching, and although he can ramble and go on tangents, the material is very interesting and I learned a lot. His tests are super easy, the final is a bit difficult if you don't prepare, but I was in a great class and we all had a huge review session the day before and did just fine. Professor Urbanovich is also very approachable and understanding of his students' needs.

The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union is an awesome class. Yuri makes the 2.5 hours go by fast, and gives great stories of his experience in the USSR. Not too hard either.