HIST 345
CZARIST RUSSIA
- Catalog Entry
HIST 345. Czarist Russia. (B, C)
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisite: Three hours of history at 100 level.
Russian history from formation of the Kiev State through World War I and fall of the Romanovs.
- Detailed Description and Content of Course
I. Geography and Pre-Kievan Background
A. Slavs and nomads
B. Early trade patterns
II. Kievan Rus
A. Origins (the Chronicles as primary source)
B. Consolidation and expansion
C. Trade patterns
D. Conversion to Christianity
E. City-states
F. Social classes
G. Succession crises and resultant decline
III. Eras of Appanage and the Tatars
A. Mongol rule over Rus
B. Structure and deterioration of principalities
C. Lithuania as an expansionistic neighbor
D. Novgorod
IV. The Rise of Moscow
A. Relations with Tatars
B. Expansion
C. Ivan I and III
D. Land and labor
E. Relations with neighbors, Europe
V. Ivan the Terrible (IV)
A. The reforms and the terror
B. The Oprichnina
C. Growing use of conditional land grants (pomestie system)
D. Ivan's concepts of czar
E. His accomplishments and limitations
VI. The Time of Troubles
A. Succession crises
B. Emergence of the Romanoffs
C. Economy
D. Power of the landlords
VII. Early Great Reformers
A. Peter II and Catherine II
B. Motives and methods
C. Russia under Peter and Catherine
D. Expansion
E. Growing contacts with the west and internal reactions against westernization
F. See-saw status of nobility
G. Economy and evolution of serfdom
H. Modernization efforts
VIII. Russia in the 19th Century
A. Alexander I and Napoleon
B. Nicholas I, the Decembrists and reaction
C. Autocracy, Orthodoxy, Nationality
D. Alexander II and the Great Reforms (serfdom, justice, the army)
E. The Crimean War
F. Alexander III and reaction
G. Growing dissident traditions
H. Economics
I. Russia's backwardness
J. Russia's foreign relations
K. Expansion
IX. Nicholas II and the Fall of the Romanoffs
A. The state of Russia circa 1900
B. The Russo-Japanese War and the 1905 Revolution
C. Constitutional monarchy
D. A brief era of relative prosperity
E. World War I and revolution
- Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course
A lecture format predominates with time set aside for discussion. As much of the material is rather unfamiliar to an American audience, every effort is made to provide visual images (art, architecture, videos) and conceptual explanations (czar, serfdom).
There is no set assignment format. Sometimes each student is assigned a 'personality' or specific event to research and report on; sometimes groups work together on topics and presentations.
Recent events necessitate taking "today" into account and making connections between the break up of the Soviet Union and Russia's Soviet and pre-Soviet history.
- Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students will be able to:
1. demonstrate a knowledge of the substantive material
2. demonstrate a knowledge of an important but seemingly 'alien' part of the world and part of history
3. demonstrate research, writing, and analytical skills
4. practice oral communications skills
5. demonstrate a tolerance for and ability to look openly at other cultures
6. demonstrate a geographic awareness of Russia and its neighbors.
- Assessment Measures
Assessments of the students' success in mastering the material and skills include: two examinations (part objective and part essay), and some form of individual or group "outside" writing assignment.
- Other Course Information
None
- Review and Approval
Date Action Reviewed by
January 2005 Reviewed and Approved by Charles McClellan