History 356.01: Imperial Russia
Fall 2012 Weds. 6-9 PM
Professor Michael C. Hickey
Office: OSH 125 Email: mhickey@bloomu.edu
Office phone: 570-389-4161
Office Hours: T-Th, 2:00-3:30; Weds, 3:00-5:30
Course Description: This course introduces students to major themes and problems in the study of modern Russian history by focusing on the political, social and cultural history from the “Time of Troubles” at the end of the 1500s to the revolution that overthrew the Imperial Russian state in 1917.
Course Goals: This course will familiarize students with major themes and problems in the study of Imperial Russian history. We also will use Russian history to elucidate larger questions regarding the interrelationship of cultures and the study of history itself. Students will engage in the historian’s craft by reading, analyzing, discussing and writing about major works by historians (secondary sources) and contemporary documents (primary sources).
Student Learning Objectives:
· Analyze significant issues in Imperial Russian history, based upon assigned readings.
· Identify, explain, compare and contrast historians’ interpretations of significant issues in Imperial Russian history, based upon assigned readings.
· Analyze and contextualize assigned primary source documents regarding Imperial Russian history.
· Formulate logical, clearly-worded, accurate responses to questions concerning significant issues in Imperial Russian history, both in writing (formal papers) and in speaking (class
discussion).
Methods: This course is a reading seminar, in which students read and discuss works by historians as well as primary source materials (historical documents). When necessary, the instructor will present brief lectures to provide students with context for their readings.
Topics covered: The course is organized chronologically and thematically. Not all periods in Imperial Russian history will receive equal attention.
We will give special attention to the following periods and issues:
state and social structure in the 17th century;
the impact of reforms under Peter the Great;
social structure, economic change, and cultural westernization in the eighteenth century;
the impact of reforms under Catherine the Great;
the elaboration of autocratic rule in the early nineteenth century;
social structure, economic change, and cultural developments in the early nineteenth
century;
the impact of the Great Reforms of the 1860s-1870s;
economic, social and cultural “modernization” in the late nineteenth century;
revolutionary opposition to the late Imperial autocracy;
the impact of war, revolution, and stunted constitutional reform on Russian society and
politics in 1900-1914;
the impact of World War One on Russia.
Graded Assignments:
The instructions and grading criteria for each assignment are explained later in this syllabus.
Class participation (20 percent of grade): Seminar discussions depend upon the active and informed contribution of all participants. Students are expected to attend all class sessions, having already completed reading assignments and prepared for discussion.
Two in-class presentations on individualized reading assignments (5 percent each; total of 10 percent of the grade): Each student will be assigned specific documents (from the book edited by Daniel Kaiser and Gary Marker) related to our common readings, and must report on these in class. Failure to attend class for a scheduled presentation (an unexcused absence) will result in failure on the assignment.
Two document analysis papers (10 percent each; total of 20 percent of the grade): In conjunction with the in-class presentations of students’ individualized reading assignments (above), each student will write two document analysis papers. Each individual document analysis paper will be due on the Friday following the relevant in-class presentation. Papers will be accepted only from students who present the material in class as scheduled. I will not accept late papers.
Two précis papers (15 percent each; total of 30 percent): Students will summarize arguments presented in the two monographs that we are reading this semester (by Paul Bushkovich, and by Isabel de Madariaga), then compare and contrast those arguments to the arguments made in the course text (by Walter Moss). Papers are due on the dates indicated in the syllabus. I will not accept late papers.
Course final paper, on a designated historiographic theme (20 percent of course grade): Before the end of the semester, I will assign the class a question on a historiogaphic theme. Answering this question will require review of evidence and arguments presented in all assigned course readings (including the book by Dominic Lieven).. This paper is due on the date of our final exam. I will not accept late papers
Course grade scale:
A = >920 A- = 919-900
B+ =899-880 B = 879-820 B- = 819-800
C+ = 799-780 C =779-720 C- = 719-700
D+ = 699-680 D = 679-600 F = <600
Required Texts:
Walter Moss, A History of Russia, Vol. 1: To 1917 (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997)
Daniel H. Kaiser and Gary Marker, ed., Reinterpreting Russian History: Readings 860-1860s
(New York: Oxford University Press, 1994)
Paul Bushkovitch, Peter the Great (Critical Issues in World and International History) (New
York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2002)
Isabel de Madariaga, Catherine the Great: A Short History, Second edition (New Haven: Yale
University Press; 2002)
Dominic Lieven, Nicholas II: Twilight of the Empire (New York: St. Martin's/Griffin, 1996)
Course policies:
Verification that you have read the syllabus and course policies (mandatory):
I require that you sign a form verifying that you: a) have read this syllabus; b) are aware of course policies and procedures.
Follow this link to fill out the form: Link to the "Verification Document" Form
If you have questions about the syllabus, course policies, or assignments, it is your responsibility to ask those questions. It is my responsibility to answer those questions as clearly and directly as possible.
I will not grade any of your assignments until you have verified that you have read the syllabus and are aware of course policies and procedures.
Plagiarism Policy:
This course has a zero tolerance policy regarding plagiarism and other forms of cheating. For the definitions of plagiarism as they apply to this course, see this link on plagiarism.
If I determine that you have cheated or plagiarized on any assignment, I will strictly follow university guidelines: a) You will receive a failing grade for the assignment; b) I may file a formal report with BU’s Student Standards Board, which can lead to your academic dismissal; c) if you are found to have cheated or plagiarized more than once in this course, you will fail the course.
The University's Academic Integrity Policy and an explanation of the appeals process regarding violations of academic integrity can be found in the online version of the BU student handbook, The Pilot.
Attendance policy:
Attendance of all regularly scheduled sessions is mandatory, except in cases of excused absences (which are explained below).
Excused absences:
An excused absence refers to a case when a student misses class because of illness, a family emergency, or a University-related event, and has either informed the instructor in writing, in advance or provided the instructor with University-approved documentation excusing the absence after the fact.
Mandatory Paper Form:
The following form requirements apply for all papers (in digital or paper format).
ü Papers must be in 12 point Times Roman font, double spaced, with a one inch margins.
ü Your name must be in the top right hand corner of p. 1.
ü No cover pages!
ü If the paper is submitted digitally, your name must be in the file title.
ü Number all pages (preferred, number bottom center).
ü Staple papers in the top left hand corner for paper submissions.
ü Do not "double-skip" between paragraphs. (In Word, use the “paragraph” menu, and check “Don’t add space between paragraphs of the same style.”)
ü All quotations must be in quotation marks. (The only exception is for block quotations—for quotations that are more than four lines of text, which are double indented as a “block.”)
ü Cite the source of all quotations, paraphrases, and direct summaries using correct endnotes. (Exception = précis papers). Use the course link On Endnote Form.
ü To prevent plagiarism and to use notes properly, see the links On Plagiarism and On Endnote Form.
Specific instructions for assignments:
Class participation (10 percent of grade):
Perfect attendance alone will earn you a D for class participation.
To earn a grade above a D, you must actively participate in class discussions. Your participation must be based upon having completed read and thought about the course reading assignments.
I will assess your participation based upon your preparation for class as demonstrated during seminar discussions of reading materials (“large group” and “small group” discussions).
For each class session, I will assign you a mark of 0-4 for participation.
0 represents failure to attend class.
1 represents inadequate preparation, as demonstrated during discussions.
2 represents minimal adequate preparation, as demonstrated during discussions
3 indicates good preparation, as demonstrated during discussions
4 indicates excellent preparation, as demonstrated during discussions
Preparation for each class session is essential to your participation in class:
Complete all common reading assignments before coming to class. I expect you to come to class with written notes on your readings.
If, in advance of the class session, I have provided you with discussion questions on readings, you must complete answering those questions (and have written notes on your answers) before coming to class.
If, in advance of the class session, I have asked you to prepare to present or discuss specific reading material (either alone or as part of a group), you must complete that material before coming to class and be prepared to present or discuss it on the basis of written notes.
I may ask you to turn in your written notes, or I may give you a “pop quiz” on the
readings. If I do so, my assessment of your notes and/or your score on the quiz will
be factored into that week’s participation mark.
Your semester participation grade will be based upon the average of your accumulated discussion points. (The average is determined by dividing your accumulated discussion points by the number of course sessions, and then rendering it as a percentage.)
Two in-class presentations on individualized reading assignments (5 percent each; total of 10 percent of the grade):
I will assign each student specific documents from Kaiser and Marker.
Kaiser and Marker introduce documents with brief “headers.” You must first read the header, and then carefully read and take notes on the actual document.
In your report, you must answer all of the following questions (to the extent that available information allows):
Your grade on in-class reports will be based upon your ability to answer these questions, and on the accuracy, quality, and thoroughness of your answers.
Failure to present a report on the assigned date, or failure to accurately respond to any of
the questions, will result in a grade of F (<30 points)
A report that accurately responds to:
questions 1-3 alone will result in a grade of D (30-34.5 points)
questions 1-6 alone will result in a grade of C (35-39.5 points)
questions 1-6, and presents an accurate response to questions 7 and 8, will result in a
grade of B (40-44.5 points)
questions 1-6 and presents a detailed, accurate, and insightful response to
questions 7 and 8, will result in a grade of A (45-50 points)
Two document analysis papers (10 percent each; total of 20 percent of the grade):
Students must write a document analysis paper in conjunction with each of their in-class presentations on assigned documents. Each document analysis paper will be due on the Friday following the relevant in-class presentation. Papers will be accepted only from students who present the material in class as scheduled. I will not accept late papers.
The document analysis papers must follow all form instructions for papers (above).
In particular, these papers require correct endnote citations!
The document analysis papers must be written as essays, composed of logically and
organizationally-coherent paragraphs.
I will consider serious and recurrent errors in grammar, syntax, punctuation, or
word usage as failure to provide clear and coherent explanations.
Part One of each paper (one or two paragraphs) must explain who wrote the
document, when and where it was written, and who the intended audience
was. The first part of the paper must also explain the historical context in
which the document was written.
Part Two of each paper (one to three paragraphs) must explain the document’s
most obvious meanings—what it says at the "surface level." You also must
explain the specific evidence that supports your interpretation of the
document’s "surface" meaning.
Part Three of each paper (one to four paragraphs) must analyze the document in its
historical contexts and explain what the document can tell us as historians
about particular issues in the study of medieval Russia. You also must explain the specific evidence that supports your interpretation of the document’s "deeper" historical meanings.
Your grade on the document analysis papers will be based on the accuracy, logic, and clarity of your explanations regarding the document and its historical contexts.
Failure to submit the paper on the assigned date, failure to follow the required paper form
(including citation form), or failure to accurately address the issues outlined in the
assignment will result in a grade of F (<60 points)
A paper that presents clear, logical, and accurate explanations for:
Part One alone will result in a grade of D (60-69 points)
Parts One and Two alone will result in a grade of C (70-79 points)
Parts One and Two, and also presents an accurate and detailed response to Part
Three, will result in a grade of B (80-89 points)
Parts One and Two, and also presents an accurate, detailed and insightful response
to Part Three, will result in a grade of A (90-100 points)
Two précis papers (15 percent each; total of 30 percent):
Précis Paper 1: In 2-4 paragraphs, summarize the thesis (the main, central arguments) presented in Paul Bushkovitch, Peter the Great; then, in 1-3 paragraphs, compare and contrast Bushkovich’s main argument to what Moss argued about Peter in our course textbook (directions below.)
Précis Paper 2: In 2-4 paragraphs, summarize the thesis (the main, central arguments) presented in de Madariaga, Catherine the Great; then, in 1-3 paragraphs, compare and contrast de Madariaga’s main argument to what Moss argues about Catherine in our course textbook (Directions below.)
Directions for précis papers:
You must explain the main arguments (the thesis) of the book, then compare and contrast.
Remember, the topic of a book is “what the book is about.” The thesis of a book is that main argument(s) that the author is making about that topic. I am asking you to explain the thesis!!
The paper must follow the standard instructions for paper form (above), with this
exception: the entire paper must be presented in your own words! No quoting!!
The paper must be written as an essay, composed of logically and organizationally coherent
paragraphs.
I will consider serious and recurrent errors in grammar, syntax, punctuation, or
word usage as failure to provide clear and coherent explanations.
You must use clear and direct language. Anyone with a basic understanding of the
topic should be able to understand your explanation.
In 2-4 paragraphs, explain the thesis of the book accurately.
In 1-3 paragraphs, compare and contrast the thesis of this book to what Moss argued about this same topic.
Papers are due on the dates indicated in the weekly syllabus. I will not accept late papers.
Failure to submit the paper on the assigned date, failure to follow the required paper form,
or failure to accurately explain arguments as outlined in the assignment will result
in a grade of F (<90 points)
A paper that presents clear, logical, and
at least partially accurate explanations of the book’s thesis will result in a grade of D
(90-104 points)
mostly accurate explanations of the book’s thesis will result in a grade of C (105-119
points)
fully accurate explanations of the book’s thesis and a mostly accurate comparison
and contrast to Moss will result in a grade of B (120-134 points)
fully accurate explanations of the book’s thesis and a fully accurate comparison and
contrast to Moss will result in a grade of A (135-150 points)
Course final paper, on a designated historiographic theme (20 percent of course grade):
By Week 13 of the semester, I will assign the class a question on a historiographic theme related to the Leiven book on Nicholas II.
Answering this question will require review of evidence and arguments presented in all assigned course readings. I will give you the specific instructions for the assignment with the question.
The final paper is due on the date of our final exam. I will not accept late papers
The final paper must follow all form instructions for papers (above).
In particular, these papers require correct endnote citations!
The final papers must be written as essays, composed of logically and organizationally
coherent paragraphs.
I will consider serious and recurrent errors in grammar, syntax, punctuation, or word
usage as failure to provide clear and coherent explanations.
The paper must accurately and logically answer the assigned question.
The paper must accurately and logically present evidence from all books assigned for
this course.
The paper must accurately and logically fit the evidence into historical context.
The paper must accurately and logically explain any differences (contradictions or
conflicts) between evidence found in different assigned readings.
Failure to submit the final paper on the assigned date, failure to follow the required paper
form (including endnote citation form), or failure to accurately answer the question
outlined in the assignment will result in a grade of F (<120 points)
A paper that presents clear, logical, and
at least partially accurate arguments based on proper evidence will result in a grade
of D (120-139 points)
mostly accurate arguments based on proper evidence and an accurate discussion of
historical contexts will result in a grade of C (140-159 points)
fully accurate arguments based on proper evidence and an accurate discussion of
historical contexts will result in a grade of B (160-179 points)
fully accurate explanations based on proper evidence and an accurate discussion of
historical contexts, with an accurate comparison and contrast of evidence
will result in a grade of A (180-200 points)
Weekly schedule:
The reading assignments listed here are the common readings that must be completed by all students. I expect you to complete the readings, take written notes, and answer any pre-assigned study questions before coming to class.
I will provide you with a separate schedule of individualized document in-class report assignments (via BOLT). Your document analysis papers are due on the Friday after your report.
Moss refers to Walter Moss, A History of Russia.
Kaiser refers to Daniel Kaiser and Gary Marker, eds., Reinterpreting Russian History
Bushkovich refers to Paul Bushkovich, Peter the Great
De Madariaga refers to Isabel De Madariaga, Catherine the Great
Leivin refers to Dominic Leivin, Nicholas II
Week1 (Weds., 29 Aug.)
Introduction to the course, discussion of the syllabus, overview of major historical questions concerning Imperial Russia
Readings for Week 1 (in other words, BEFORE we meet for our first class on Weds. night):
Everyone must read Moss pp. xix-xx and chapter 1: if you have never had a course on Russia up to 1600, then it is a good idea to read chapters 2-8 so you have proper background. If you were in Medieval Russia last year, it would be a good idea to read these chapters to refresh your memory.
Week 2 (Weds, 5 Sept.)
The Time of Troubles and the First Romanov Tsars
Readings (again, read before we meet on Weds. night):
Moss, chapters 9-10
Kaiser, all of chapters 11 and 12
Week 3 (Weds, 12 Sept.)
Seventeenth Century Russian Society/An Introduction to Peter the Great
Readings:
Moss, chapters 11-13
Kaiser, all of chapter 13
Week 4 (Weds., 19 Sept.)
Peter the Great and late Seventeenth Century Russia
Readings:
Bushkovich, everything up to page 105.
Week 5 (Weds., 26 Sept.)
Peter the Great and early Eighteenth Century Russia
Readings:
Bushkovich, from page 107 to the end of the book (p. 173)
Kaiser, documents and essays on these pages: 226-229, 246-250, 334-336
Précis Paper 1 (on Bushkovich) due via BOLT by 6 PM on Friday.
Week 6 (Weds., 3 Oct.)
In Peter’s Wake/An Introduction to Catherine the Great
Readings:
Moss, chapters 14-15
Kaiser, documents and essays on these pages: 232-237, 269, 272, 273-280, 280-285, 312-318, 344-350, 362-365, 366-369
Week 7 (Weds., 10 Oct.)
The Era of Catherine the Great, Part I
Readings:
De Madariaga, everything up to page 131(notice that there is a glossary and other useful reference material at the end of the book—these may help you while you are reading)
Week 8 (Weds., 17 Oct.)
The Era of Catherine the Great, Part II
Readings:
De Madariaga, pages 131-218.
Kaiser, documents and essays on pages: 230-232, 237-241, 242-244, 244-246, 269-272, 292-295, 318-324, 325-328, 339-344, 354-356, 379-385, 388-391, 394-399, 406-408
Précis Paper 1 (on De Madariaga) due via BOLT by 6 PM on Friday.
Week 9 (Weds., 24 Oct.)
Russian Society in the Eighteenth Century/The Reigns of Paul and Alexander I
Readings:
Moss, chapters 16-18
Kaiser, documents and essays on pages: 256-257, 285-289, 297-303, 328-333, 352-354, 356-362, 370-376, 412-414
Week 10 (Weds., 31 Oct.)
The Reign of Nicholas II/Nineteenth Century Russian Society to the Great Reforms
Readings:
Moss, chapters 19-21
Kaiser, documents and essays on pages: 257, 257-262, 263-267, 303-311, 336-339, 391-394, 408-412, 414-417, 418-420, 421-427
Week 11 (Weds., 7 Nov.)
The Great Reforms/ Late Imperial Russia, Part I
Readings:
Moss, chapters 22-24
Kaiser, documents and essays on pages: 428-435, 436-441, 441-445
Week 12 (Weds., 14 Nov.)
Late Imperial Russia, Part II
Readings:
Moss, chapters 25-27
I will be at the annual international conference of Russian historians, so class will not meet this Weds. But you are to do the readings, as they relate to our last two class sessions.
Week 13 (Weds., 21 Nov.)
No class session (Thanksgiving Recess)
Week 14 (Weds., 28 Nov.)
Nicholas II and Late Imperial Russia
Readings:
Review last week’s readings
Leivin, first half of the book
Martin, Chapter 12
Week 15 (Weds., 5 Dec.)
Nicholas II and the End of the Russian Empire/Summing up
Readings:
finish the Leivin book
Finals Week COURSE FINAL PAPER DUE Weds. May 12