History of Russia from the 9Th to the 19Th Century

University of North Texas History of Russia from the 9th to the 19th century

Instructor Dr. Olga Velikanova HIST 4050 2013 E-mail: [email protected] Office hours: Wed 4.50 - 5.40 pm or by appointment, WH # 237

Welcome to Russian history class! This course presents the events, actors, culture and legends of old Russia, discusses the major themes that have structured the country’s past and are shaping its present. Studying the development of Russia from the ancient Kievan Rus’, to medieval Muscovy and to the empire, we’ll discuss the interrelations of government, individual personality and social forces in defining the historical process. The course is multi-media based: we will draw not only on text and documents, but on photos, paintings, literature, films and audio clips. Lectures are based on Power Point presentations available on Blackboard. https://ecampus.unt.edu/webct/entryPage.dowebct Learning Objectives of the course are: to develop students’ ability to think historically, i.e. to understand the meaning of the events, their causes and effects, in variety of contexts. Students will be able to convey their ideas in written and oral form and articulate coherent argumentation well-supported with historical evidence. By studying a civilization different from their own, students will learn the language of global mutual understanding crucial in our modern world. Thus, in addition to learning Russian history, this course will significantly improve students’ analytical skills that will benefit all of their endeavors throughout their life, especially critical thinking.

Required Texts: A History of Russia. Peoples, Legends, Events, Forces. by C. Evtuhov, D. Goldfrank, L. Hughes, R. Stites.(bookstore) O. Figes, Natasha’s Dance. Russian Cultural History (bookstore)(check index of the book for specific topics) [F] N. Gogol, The Overcoat (Bookstore, or library, or online) http://www.geocities.com/short_stories_page/gogolovercoat.html

Additional readings: Storey, Writing history. Guide for student (on reserve) Online resources, handouts, films Assignments:

1 Students are expected to: a) attend regularly; b) complete the assigned readings including online resources BEFORE class; c) contribute to the discussion by asking questions and expressing their thoughts and informed opinion on the readings and topics. Midterm test 30 % - 6th week September 30; Map quiz - 10%- 11th week November 4; Essay- 30 % - November 27. Final exam - 30% -TBA. Essay: Five double space pages including bibliography. Essay should consist of an introduction,thesis, body and conclusion, present an argument and supporting evidence. Topics will be provided. Bibliography for essay (4-5 sources) should be submitted October 28; Read Storey’s Guide on Reserve! Students will be given further information in advance. You can get bonus points participating in class discussions. Course Policies: Attendance: Regular attendance is required. If you must miss a class, try to inform me in advance. Try to avoid arriving late or leaving early because it disturbs both me and your fellow students. No food in class. Cell phones should be switched off. Assignments: All assignments must be completed and submitted in order to pass the course. You must keep a copy of all submitted work (should a submitted paper become lost) and also keep all your notes and drafts (should issues of plagiarism or cheating arise). Correct use of language is one of the criteria included in the evaluation of all written work. Due dates: If an assignment is submitted after the due date, the penalty will be three marks per day for up to ten days. After ten days the grade will be 0 (but note that you must still complete and submit the assignment in order to pass the course). Extensions may only be granted in advance by the instructor in case of documented serious illness, personal or family problems. Plagiarism and cheating: university regulations on plagiarism and cheating will be strictly enforced (see the University Calendar). The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at www.unt.edu/oda. , phone 940.565.4323.

Course Outline (Tentative).

1 Week. Introduction of the course. Historical Geography & Culture. Russian ”Geo-schizophrenia”- indeterminacy between East and West. The establishment of the Kievan state. The Primary Chronicles. Influences of Scandinavia and Byzantium

2 Week. Kievan Rus’, Law code. Feudalism. Religion: Paganism and Christianity. Orthodoxy. Icons. A. Rublev.  Readings: Ch.2,3, Figes [F]: 297-301

2  Document: Chronicles. "The Beginning of the Russian State and the Arrival of Rurik"  http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/HIS101/Documents/Chronicle.html

St. George & the dragon Novgorod Kremlin 3 Week. The Mongol conquest and its consequences. Democracy and Autocracy: Novgorod “republic” and Muscovy.Ch. 4, p.80-92. Video clips: Andrei Rublev by Tarkovski.

4 Week. Russian Architecture. VIDEO: Alexander Nevsky by Eisenstein. p. 187-197, F. 358-78. Ivan the Terrible. The Time of Troubles (1598-1613). Ch.7, p.182-186.

 http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/architecture.html

5 Week. Church Reform. Avvakum. Ch. 8.

6 Week. Russian folk culture. Folklore. Russian Fairy Tales. Customs: Bathhouse. Vodka. Cuisine. Dwelling. Marriage. Lubok. Ch. 19. Video. Midterm September 30.  Readings: Figes, pp.394-97…, 13…246-55…46…162-171.  Tales http://www.tradestonegallery.com/index.php?content=fairytales  Ethnology http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/ethnic.html

7 Week. Peter the Great and Westernization. The New World of St. Petersburg. Public perception of reforms. Ch. 11, 12, F: 4-28,157-59 and Maps  Additional Readings: Pushkin, The Bronze Horseman(the beginning) http://www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/pushkin/bronze_horseman.html

8 Week. The Eighteenth Century – the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment. Catherine the Great. The Hermitage Museum. Virtual tour. pp. 254-275, 285-289, Ch. 15. F. pp. 29-51; 61-68  Movie Russian Ark. Discussion  http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/05/hm5_0.html

3 St. Petersburg Palace Square Tolstoy

9 Week. Russia in the age of Napoleon. Paul I. Alexander I. War of 1812. Ch. 16. The December Uprising (1825); p. 341-344. F.72-101. Read Gogol.  Timeline and Map http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/civil_n2/hist_6.html  Video clips “War and Peace” by S. Bondarchuk.

10 Week. Russian Society and Culture in the First Half of the Nineteen Century. Intelligentsia. Literature: Ch. 17, F:101-146; 158-162.Bibliography due Oct 28  Video clips – “Overcoat” (Gogol)  Gogol, The Overcoat (discussion)  http://www.geocities.com/short_stories_page/gogolovercoat.html  MAP QUIZ November 4 !Study maps in the textbook.p.60,127,171,209,277, 281,312

11 Week. Nationalism and Empire. Nicolas I. Music.Ch. 18. F 150-7, 175-190.

12 week. Emancipation of Peasants. Realism in Literature: Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy. Realism in Art: Wanderers. Video: Oblomov, Ch. 21, Figes 195- 204, 220-46, 325-354…410… pp.422-423, 434-442  Dostoevsky, The Grand Inquisitor. Read online(optional): htt p://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/pol116/grand.htm  Reaction on Emancipation Manifesto http://artsci.shu.edu/reesp/documents/nikitenko.htm

13 week. Search for Russian Identity. Slavophiles versus Westernizers. Liberalism and Radicalism. Populists. Emergence of Terrorism. Marxism. Social-Democrats. pp. 360- 365. 422-423,427-436., 445-449, 481-483; F. 130-39.

14 Week. Russian Capitalism. Modernization. Industrialization.Empire. Ch. 24, F. 204- 16, 265-87. Essay due Nov 27. See photos of Late Imperial Russia http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/

15 week.

FINAL EXAM TBA