SPRING 2009 - NMSU
I. COURSE NUMBER AND NAME:
HISTORY 382G-M01/578-M01 MODERN RUSSIA
This course, which is designed to provide an introductory survey of the history of Russia/Soviet Union, from its antecedents in the tsarist period until the present day. The lectures and discussions will focus on some of the major historical issues concerning this time period, such as why the 1917 revolution took place, Stalin’s rise to power, the collectivization of agriculture, the Great Purges, Gorbachev’s reforms, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the new Commonwealth.
II. INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Name: Dr. D. Schneider
Office: NMSU Main Campus History Department
Room 254A Breland Hall
Office phone: 575-646-4291
Office hours: 8:00-9:15 AM – Mon and Wed; and by appointment
Class hours: MWF – 1:30-2:20 PM
Location: HA-216
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
After successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Assume the persona of a professional historian.
2. Direct research toward a particular topic.
3. Critique Soviet/Russian history.
4. Trace the complex evolution of Russian history domestically and globally.
5. Compare and contrast other cultures and viewpoints.
IV. TEXT:
The course and readings are based upon:
McCauley, Martin, The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union, Pearson Education Limited, 2008.
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL TEXT:
Suny, Ronald Grigor, The Structure of Soviet History, Oxford University Press, 2003.
V. FORMAT:
This is a lecture and discussion course; therefore, note taking is a must. Tape recording is not allowed. BE ON TIME FOR ALL LECTURES AND EXAMS. CLASS PARTICIPATION IS MANDATORY, IT IS NOT AN OPTION.
VI. EXAMINATIONS:
There will be three exams. They will consist of fill in the blank, matching, brief identification questions, and essay questions. The final exam is not comprehensive. The final course grade rests upon a cumulative point system. You are permitted to make-up only one exam during the semester. All make-up exams consist entirely of essay or brief identification questions from assigned readings in the textbook. Instructor approval and arrangement is required for a make-up exam. NOTE: A student who is tardy for a test will not be allowed to take an exam once a student has handed-in his/her paper. NO EXCEPTIONS!! The reason is the test has been compromised. All make-up exams must be scheduled with the instructor.
Essay Critique: In addition to the examinations, students will be required to write four essay critiques based upon Suny’s text. Each critique should be between 2-3 pages in length, typed double space. Graduate students must provide two essay critiques plus one research paper 8-10 pages in length, typed double space. EACH STUDENT MUST OBTAIN THE APPROVAL OF THE INSTRUCTOR FOR THE CHOICE OF ESSAY AND RESEARCH TOPICS. SEE CALENDAR FOR DUE DATES. LATE critiques AND research papers WILL BE LOWERED 10 POINTS FOR EACH DAY THAT IT IS LATE. THESE CRITIQUES AND RESEARCH PAPERS ARE DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS HOUR.
Oral Report directions for this assignment will be provided on the first day of class.
COURSE GRADES:
A = 400-360 EXAMINATION VALUE: 100 pts each
B = 359-320 Undergraduate ESSAY CRITIQUES: 20 pts each
C = 319-280 Undergraduate ORAL REPORT: 20 pts
D = 279-240 Graduate ESSAY CRITIQUES: 20 pts each
F = 239-000 Graduate RESEARCH PAPER: 60 pts
TENTATIVE TEST SCHEDULE:
a. February 18 Chapters 2-3
b. March 16 Chapters 4-11
c. May 1 Chapters 1 and 12-22
ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is expected; therefore, no points are awarded. The instructor may refuse admittance to any or all students who come late to class. Because this is a lecture driven class it is
important for students to attend all class meetings. Your final grade will be lowered one letter grade if you have more than four unexcused absences. However, if you have five or more unexcused absences your final grade is an “F” regardless of your test scores. Excused absences must be documented.
LECTURES
Each Friday is a discussion day reserved for individual discussions. (Except 1 May 2009, TEST 3.) Please make arrangements, make an appointment with the professor. These individualized discussions will be conducted in Breland Hall, Room 254A.
Jan 14 INTRODUCTION
Jan 16 DISCUSSIONS
Jan 19 HOLIDAY (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Jan 21 GEOGRAPHY
Jan 23 DISCUSSIONS
Jan 26 RUSSIA IN THE 19th CENTURY
Jan 28 1905 REVOLUTION AND AFTER
Jan 30 DISCUSSIONS
Feb 2 THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONARY TRADITION
Feb 4 WORLD WAR I
Feb 6 DISCUSSIONS
Feb 9 THE 1917 REVOLUTIONS
Feb 11 CIVIL WAR
Feb 13 DISCUSSIONS
Feb 16 THE FIRST STEPS OF THE NEW REGIME
Feb 18 EXAMINATION #1 – 1st essay critique due Chapters 1
& 2, Suny (all students)
Feb 20 DISCUSSIONS
Feb 23 NEP
Feb 25 THE STRUGGLE FOR POWER
LECTURES (continued)
Feb 27 DISCUSSIONS
Mar 2 THE STALIN REVOLUTION
Mar 4 THE STALIN REVOLUTION (continued)
Mar 6 DISCUSSIONS
Mar 9 THE 1930’s
Mar 11 THE PURGES
Mar 13 DISCUSSIONS
Mar 16 EXAMINATION #2 – 2d essay critique due Chapters 3
& 4, Suny (all students)
Mar 18 FOREIGN POLICY UP TO WORLD WAR II
Mar 20 DISCUSSIONS
Mar 23-27 SPRING BREAK
Mar 30 WORLD WAR II
Apr 1 LATE STALINISM
Apr 3 DISCUSSIONS
Apr 6 Soviet Post-War Expansion – 3d essay critique due
Chapters 4 & 5, Suny (undergraduates only)
Apr 8 KHRUSHCHEV
Apr 10 DISCUSSISONS
Apr 13 BREZHNEV
Apr 15 GORBACHEV AND PERESTROIKA
Apr 17 ORAL REPORT
Apr 20 ORAL REPORT
Apr 22 ORAL REPORT
Apr 24 ORAL REPORT
Apr 27 ORAL REPORT - 4th essay critique due Chapters 6-10,
Suny (undergraduates only) – Research paper due
(graduates only)
LECTURES (continued)
Apr 29 MAKE-UP EXAM
May 1 EXAMINATION #3
May 4 FINAL EXAM 1:00-3:00 PM
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
If you have or believe you have a disability, you may wish to self-identify. You can do so by providing documentation to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SDD) located in Garcia Annex Room 102 (phone: voice 646-2592 or TTY 646-1918). Appropriate accommodations may then be provided for you.
SLEEPING IS NOT AN OPTIONAL ACTIVITY DURING LECTURES AND MOVIES.
Please do not ask the professor for copies of lecture notes or test reviews if you miss a class.
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES PRIOR TO CLASS LECTURE.
Tape recording is not permitted.
It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the class.
Please do not bring guests to the class without the professor’s approval.
ALL ITEMS ON THIS SYLLABUS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.