Russian History to 1881
HIST 218
Spring 2012
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
REES 218 |
| Certificates: International Relations |
This course will survey central issues in Russian history from the origins of Kievan Rus to the Great Reforms of Alexander II, ending with his assassination in 1881. It will trace the political, cultural, and religious traditions that shaped the historical experience of Russian lands and peoples. We will examine Russia's understanding of its place in the world (geographically, politically, and culturally) and the ways in which this self-conception changed over time and influenced the course of events. We will consider early sources of Russian political and cultural identity, focusing on several themes: the influence of religion; imperial ambitions, expansion, and the peculiarity of the empire that evolved; recurring "times of troubles" and problems of governance; and the role of imagination and culture in Russia's political and social life. |
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Essential Capabilities:
The three assigned essays and final examination consisting of two essays give students practice at arguing cogently with evidence supporting their interpretations of historical problems. The in-class final tests ability to review and synthesize.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CEAS-Arcp/Hist)(HIST-MN)(HIST) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Nicholas Riasanovsky and Mark Steinberg, A HISTORY OF RUSSIA: COMBINED VOLUME
Gary Marker and Daniel Kaiser, eds., REINTERPRETING RUSSIAN HISTORY: READINGS, 860-1860
Ivan Turgenev, FATHERS AND SONS, trans. Michael Katz
Fyodor Dostoevsky, NOTES FROM UNDERGROUND, trans. Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky
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Examinations and Assignments:
Three 5-7 page papers and final examination. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
The course will have components of both lecture and seminar formats. There will be opportunity to explore themes of particular interest in class discussion and in the three required papers. |
| Instructor(s): Smolkin-Rothrock,Victoria Times: .M.W... 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC004; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 30 | | SR major: 2 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: 15 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 10 | FR: 10 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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