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Academic Year 2003/2004

Russian History to 1881
HIST 218 FA
Crosslistings:
REES 218

This course surveys Russian history from the origins of the Kievan state to the period of the Great Reforms of Alexander II, ending with his assassination in 1881. We focus upon the factors that shaped Russian culture (including its political culture) and gave modern Russia a history punctuated by desperate but futile upheavals from below and costly changes forced from above.

MAJOR READINGS

Geoffrey Hosking, RUSSIA AND THE RUSSIANS (pub. 2001)
M. Lermontov, HERO OF OUR TIME
Olga Tian-Shanskaia, VILLAGE LIFE IN LATE TSARIST RUSSIA
Turgenev, A HUNTER'S NOTEBOOK
MEMOIRS OF CATHERINE THE GREAT
Pomper, THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONARY INTELLIGENTSIA
excerpts from Tolstoy, WAR AND PEACE; Russian chronicles; "THE LAY OF IGOR'S HOST"; and short readings on the Mongol invasion, Peter the Great, and other topics.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

4 short papers (4-5 pages)
Take home final essay

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This is mainly a lecture course, but some time will be set aside during each session for questions and comments. A few meetings will be devoted to discussion of selected texts.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS HIST    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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