Fairfield to host Russian Scholar Stephen Cohen
Known worldwide as an expert and provocative scholar in Russian studies, Stephen F. Cohen, PhD, professor emeritus of history, Russian studies, and politics at New York University and Princeton University, will deliver the keynote lecture to celebrate the 20 th anniversary of the Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian Studies Program (RECAS) at Ƭapp.
Dr. Cohen, who has suggested that current U.S./Russian relations be considered “a new Cold War,” will speak at Fairfield on Thursday, February 5 at 7 p.m. in the Kelley presentation room in the Aloysius P. Kelley S.J. Center. His lecture is titled, “The Ukrainian Crisis: Why a New Cold War?” and is free and open to the public and media.
Dr. Cohen is a frequent media presence on national and international topics, and serves as a contributing editor at The Nation.
During the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, which resulted in the ouster of former President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, Dr. Cohen spoke in defense of the Kremlin’s actions while challenging people to look at the political situations from all perspectives. Sometimes considered a Putin "apologist," Dr. Cohen noted that he sees himself instead as a “patriotic heretic,” interested in engaging the public in honest, unbiased debate.
David McFadden, PhD, director of the RECAS program and professor of history, said, “Stephen is a very well known, leading historian of alternatives to Stalinism as well as a leading advocate of Gorbachev’s reforms. We are honored to have him to commemorate the 20 th anniversary of our program.”
Dr. Cohen received his PhD in political science from Columbia University and, among many other awards and recognitions, received the NYU Gold Teaching Award in 2001. He has been featured on national television including CNN , FOX News , and MSNBC.
The Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program at Ƭapp developed jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Dolan School of Business. It offers students the unique opportunity to take a fresh look at the long-established field of Russian and Eastern European studies.
