Modules and Cohomology over Group Algebras: One Commutative Algebraist's   Perspective
  This article explains basic constructions and results on group algebras and their cohomology, starting from the point of view of commutative algebra. It provides the background necessary for a novice in this subject to begin reading Dave Benson's article in the same MSRI volume that this article is slated to appear in. 
Srikanth Iyengar