Soviet
Russia (42.456.01)
Fall
2001
Final
Exam
Consider
the following statement carefully:
In
his book Steeltown USSR: Soviet
Society in the Gorbachev Era, Stephen
Kotkin
argues that the legitimacy of the Soviet government rested largely on its
claim
that it provided social (meaning class) justice.
In our readings this semester
we
have seen that, despite the creation of a “privileged” strata of party and
state
functionaries,
ideals of social (class) justice had been fundamental to the Soviet
regime’s
legitimacy from its creation in 1917 until its collapse in 1991.
Do you
agree or disagree with this statement? Take
a position, and write an essay that supports your position with evidence from
all of your readings this semester (the books by Suny, Wade, Siegelbaum, Temkin,
and Kotkin; whatever assigned web-based documents you find relevant; whatever
relevant material you have encountered in writing your research
paper/historiography and your in class/written report).
Your
essay must be typed, double-spaced, with standard-sized margins and in 12-point
font. Indent to begin new
paragraphs (do not—I repeat, do not—skip four lines between paragraphs!!).
You must use endnote form to cite all quoted, paraphrased, or summarized
passages. The text of your paper
must be at least ten pages long, not counting the endnotes.
I will
grade your exam on the basis of its logic, clarity, accuracy, and use of
relevant evidence.
This exam is due by 5:30 on 11 December.