Schubert varieties as variations of Hodge structure.

We (1) characterize the Schubert varieties that arise as variations of Hodge structure (VHS); (2) show that the isotropy orbits of the infinitesimal Schubert VHS 'span' the space of all infinitesimal VHS; and (3) show that the cohomology classes dual to the Schubert VHS form a basis of the invariant characteristic cohomology associated with the infinitesimal period relation (a.k.a. Griffiths' transversality). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]