Anchored in the Russian Empire, but not limited to it, the eight studies in this volume explore the nineteenth-century imperial responses to the challenge of modernity, the dramatic disruptions of World War I, the radical scenarios of the interwar period and post-communist endgames at the different edges of Eurasia. The book continues and amplifies the historiographic momentum created by Alfred J. Rieber’s long and fruitful scholarly career.

First, the volume addresses the attempts of Russian imperial rulers and elites to overcome the economic backwardness of the empire with respect to the West. The ensuing rivalry of several interest groups (entrepreneurs, engineers, economists) created new social forms in the subsequent rounds of modernization. The studies explore the dynamics of the metamorphoses of what Rieber famously conceptualized as a “sedimentary society” in the pre-revolutionary and early Soviet settings.

Second, the volume also expands and dwells on the concept of frontier zones as dynamic, mutable, shifting areas, characterized by multi-ethnicity, religious diversity, unstable loyalties, overlapping and contradictory models of governance, and an uneasy balance between peaceful co-existence and bloody military clashes. In this connection, studies pay special attention to forced and spontaneous migrations, and population politics in modern Eurasia.

A self-guided instructional journey for educators in multi- and interdisciplinary learning.

This book is designed as a source of inspiration, replication, and adaptation. Each chapter, in varying modalities, addresses interdisciplinary course development and implementation in institutions of higher education. The essays focus on common issues like navigating administrative systems and solving the challenges encountered when crossing departments or colleges, whether regarding course listings or the intricacies of course loads on each professor. Chapters also provide detailed information on the nuts and bolts of the specific course or courses taught, including syllabi, lesson examples, and both formal and informal assessments implemented. 

Contributors candidly offer discussions of the failures and successes of their interdisciplinary collaborations, including course design, lesson planning, or complications brought in by unforeseen pandemics. Most chapters end with a summary of lessons learned, where experiences from the field provide opportunities for growth and continued exploration. An excellent resource for educators, this volume offers readers guidance and encouragement to implement the approaches described and inspiration to forge their own paths in the world of multi- and interdisciplinary teaching and research.

Connecting community, infrastructure, and expansion in ancient Mesoamerica

This groundbreaking volume presents a fresh and comprehensive look at the urban development of Mesoamerican cities. Moving beyond traditional methods, The Urban Questions adopts a dynamic, multidisciplinary approach to understanding the complexity and diversity of ancient settlements. By examining urbanism at multiple scales—from individual events to households, neighborhoods, and entire regions—it offers a nuanced view of how these cities evolved over time.

Contributors explore key themes such as community identity, infrastructure management, and the intersection of social, political, and economic processes. Rich in both spatial and material analysis, the chapters provide insights into the lived experience of ancient Mesoamerican inhabitants and the gradual expansion of their cities. With innovative archaeological methodologies and theoretical frameworks, this volume is an essential resource for scholars of Mesoamerican studies, archaeology, and urban history, shedding new light on the dynamic nature of ancient cities.