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History 322: Revolutionary and Soviet Russia History 322: Revolutionary and Soviet Russia History 322: Revolutionary and Soviet Russia Professor: Dr. Jonathon Dreeze Email: [email protected] Office: College Hall 206 Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3pm to 5pm (via Zoom) and by appointment – Zoom Office Hours Meeting Room ID: 930 235 3850 Zoom Office Hours Meeting Room Link: https://cornellcollege.zoom.us/j/9302353850 1 History 322: Revolutionary and Soviet Russia Classroom: West Hall 005 (Basement) Class time: Monday – Thursday, 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM In Person Fridays, 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM Via Zoom (All times are on Central Time) Class Meeting Information Zoom Class Link: https://cornellcollege.zoom.us/j/99344283565 Zoom Class ID: 993 4428 3565 General Information Welcome to History 322! In this course we will be examining the history and complexities of the Soviet Union, which existed from 1917 to 1991. During its existence the Soviet Union was the largest country in the world, one of two world- wide superpowers, and played an enormous role in the shaping politics and society in the 20th century. The Soviet Union was the world’s first Marxist and socialist state. It actively, and proudly, rejected capitalism and sought (in theory) to build a workers and peasants paradise on earth. The Soviet Union was one of the main combatant powers in World War II, and was the decisive force in the ultimate defeat and destruction of Nazi Germany. The rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States, known as the Cold War, was the defining world-wide political feature of the latter half of the 20th Century. The Soviet Union’s ultimate collapse and disappearance nearly 30 years ago was unforeseen and had a profound impact in world affairs, the effects of which we are still dealing with on a daily. This course will focus on a variety of themes such as ideology, economics, nationality, war (and peace) within the larger Soviet experiment of building a workers’ and peasants’ paradise on earth. Three central themes of this course will be on the supposed inevitability of the victory of communism over capitalism, the unfulfilled promise of the Revolution, and the genesis of the Stalinist dictatorship. Stalinism in particular came to define the entire Soviet experience and was arguably the cause of the ultimate decline of the Soviet Union. There will also be a focus on the plight of the individual and their relationship with the Communist Party and the Soviet state. The main content of this course will be lecture, discussion, and writing work. The main written assignments will be two 5-page book reviews and short research paper on the inevitability of the collapse of the Soviet Union. I reserve the right to make modifications to the course and lectures as I see fit. Students are expected to attend classes (both in-person and online) faithfully, participate actively, and complete the reading assignments before attending lecture 2 History 322: Revolutionary and Soviet Russia (more on this below). Come to class on time so that you do not cause unnecessary disruption of your fellow classmates and do not leave class before it has come to an end. Please feel free to ask questions during class. Students will be responsible for materials covered in lecture and in all the readings. Throughout the course, students will learn skills that will be necessary for them both as history students and in most of life’s endeavors: critical and analytical thinking, writing, reading, listening, note taking, and public speaking. Cornell Course Objectives Taking this course should help you do the following: • Identify and describe people, ideas, and events and their impact on European and military history (Knowledge) • Understand, analyze, and contextualize historical sources (Inquiry) • Locate and analyze primary and secondary sources suitable for research (Inquiry) • Discuss and analyze historians’ methods and approaches to their topics (Inquiry, Communication) • Express your ideas and interpretations both verbally and in writing (Communication) General Course Objectives By completing the requirements for this class, students will: 1. Acquire a perspective on history and an understanding of the factors that shape human activity. This knowledge will furnish students insights into the origins and nature of contemporary issues and a foundation for future comparative understanding of societies, cultures, and ideologies. 2. Develop critical thinking skills through the study of diverse interpretations of historical events. 3. Apply critical thinking through historical analysis of primary and secondary sources. 5. Develop an understanding of the patterns of European, military, and Soviet history and how they inform present day society, politics, and foreign relations. Course Format This course is a synchronous hybrid course. It meets five (5) days a week. On Monday through Thursday the course will meet in person in West Hall 005 (in the basement) from 12:30 PM to 3:00PM. On Fridays the course will be held in its entirety on Zoom during the regular class time. All classes are on Central Time. 3 History 322: Revolutionary and Soviet Russia Due to the work load for this course there will be several writing days during which there will be no class held. Writing days, as well as any deviations from the regular schedule are highlighted in green in the course schedule below. Those students who have registered with the Residence Life Office are permitted to the course online. Approved online-only students are expected to virtually attend every class session in their entirety. I have designed this course in a hybrid format for two specific reasons. The first is to maintain a semblance of the normalcy and rich interactivity that comes with traditional in-person classes. The second reason for the hybrid design is so that the course can quickly and seamlessly transition to an entirely online format if the need arises. If the need arises for campus to close and students to be sent home, the class will go to an entirely online format carried out via Zoom, much like the regular Friday session. If such a transition occurs, disruptions can be expected and the class schedule will be modified accordingly. If there are any questions or concerns about the format of the course please do not hesitate to contact me. Class Meeting Information Zoom Class Link: https://cornellcollege.zoom.us/j/99344283565 Zoom Class ID: 993 4428 3565 Zoom Office Hours Meeting Room ID: 930 235 3850 Zoom Office Hours Meeting Room Link: https://cornellcollege.zoom.us/j/9302353850 Course Technology For help with your password, college email, Moodle, or any other technology issues, questions, or requests contact the Cornell IT offices. In an attempt to make this course as simple as possible, there is no specialized technology nor software required. Students will need a personal computer with a webcam, a stable internet connection, as well as access to Zoom and a google account. Students may wish to use headphones and a separate microphone during the course’s online sessions. 4 History 322: Revolutionary and Soviet Russia Covid-19 Expectations Given the brave new world that we find ourselves in, all students are expected to adhere to the college’s rules and regulations regarding social distancing and face coverings. Cornell’s rules and regulations for social distancing are all outlined in the Cornellian Commitment, which can be found online here. For convenience I have included the entirety of the Cornellian Commitment in the syllabus: Cornellian Commitment As a Cornell student, faculty member, or staff member, I must take actions to protect myself and others in the campus and local community. I affirm that I care for the Cornell community and respect the dignity of other community members, as defined in the declaration of community expectations. I must remain aware of and practice health and safety precautions initiated by the college to reduce exposure and the spread of COVID-19 and other infections. I understand that my health, the health of others, and the opportunity to have in-person classes is, in large part, influenced by my commitment to the actions outlined below. I am committed to protecting myself and others by • using the Symptom Checker daily prior to leaving my residence hall room or home • washing my hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer • wearing a face covering inside any campus building and outdoors when within 6 feet of others both on campus and in the greater community • maintaining physical distancing in shared spaces and abiding by distancing instructions in specific areas • remaining in my room/home and immediately reporting if I develop a COVID-19 symptom or symptoms or if I am exposed to someone who has tested positive or has symptoms of COVID-19: fever of 100.4 or higher, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, chills, muscle pain, headache, sudden loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea. (If any of these symptoms are a known chronic symptom, they should not be reported.) o Students: call Student Health Center (319-895-4292) o Faculty/Staff: contact your health care provider and HR (319-895-4243) • quarantining per public health guidelines if I test positive for COVID-19 • self-isolate for the required length of time if I am a positive contact • keeping my clothing, belongings, personal spaces, and shared common spaces clean • contacting faculty and staff members via email to schedule an appointment prior to visiting their offices 5 History 322: Revolutionary and Soviet Russia • encouraging others to take these health-conscious actions to limit exposure • participating in testing and contract tracing (as requested by the college) • limiting travel off campus as much as possible All students, as well as myself, will be required to have face coverings, either a face mask or a face shield, while in class.
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