Scientific communism


Scientific communism was one of the three major elements of Marxism–Leninism as taught in the Soviet Union in all institutions of higher education and pursued in the corresponding research institutions and departments.
The discipline consisted in investigation of laws, patterns, ways and forms of class struggle, socialist revolution and development of socialism and construction of communism.
The term was treated by Soviet authorities as synonymous with the scientific socialism of Marx and Engels, though incorporating the theories of Lenin and the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Overview

Passing exams in scientific communism was an obligatory prerequisite in obtaining any postgraduate scientific degree in the Soviet Union. Typical courses of study included the following topics, among others: