History 337A: Russia to 1865

T. Weeks (tadeusz@siu.edu)

Fall 2001

Class meets TTh 2-3:15 pm in Faner 1224

Texts: Moss. A History of Russia. VOLUME I.

Kaiser/Marker. Reinterpreting Russian History. Readings 860-1860.

N. Durova. The Cavalry Maiden.

I. Turgenev. A Huntsman's Sketches.

Week 1 (August 21, 23) Readings: Moss, Chapter 1.

1. Introductions, Requirements, Why we are here...

2. Definitions: "Russia" , "Russian History", Sumner's Seven Elements

Week 2 (Aug 28, 30) Readings: Moss, Chapters 2-4; Kaiser, pp. 3-78.

1. Riurik and Kievan Rus'

2. The Mongols and Russia

Week 3 (Sept 6) Readings: Moss, Chapters 5, 7; Kaiser, pp. 79-146.

2. Appanage Russia *** Map Quiz! ***

Week 4 (Sept 11, 13) Readings: Moss, Chapter 6; Kaiser, pp. 147-163.

1. Anti-Muscovy: Novgorod and "Russian Democracy"

2. Rise of Muscovy before Ivan IV; Church and State in Muscovy

Week 5 (Sept 18, 20) Readings: Moss, Chapter 8; Kaiser, pp. 164-222.

1. Film: Eisenstein's "Ivan the Terrible" (I)

2. Film: Eisenstein's "Ivan the Terrible" (II)

Week 6 (Sept 25, 27) Readings: Moss, Chapters 9, 10.

1. Midterm Examination

2. The Time of Troubles

Week 7 (October 2, 4) Readings: Moss, Chapters 11-12.

1. Religion and Dissent: Orthodoxy, Uniates, and Old Believers

2. Russia and the West before Peter

Week 8 (October 9, 11) Readings: Moss, Chapter 13; Kaiser, pp. 226-267.

1. Peter the Great: the Man and his Reforms

2. Between the "Greats": Russia 1725-1762

** Book Review Due! **

Week 9 (October 16, 18) Readings: Moss, Chapters 14-17; Kaiser, pp. 268-289.

1. Catherine the Great: Wonder Woman from the West?

2. The Partitions of Poland and the Jewish Question.

Week 10 (October 23, 25) Readings: Moss, Chapter 18; Kaiser, pp. 290-350; Durova.

1. Reign of Alexander I to 1812

2. "Great Fatherland War" -- Discussion of Durova. ** Paper # 1 Due **

Week of October 29 to November 2 - Break!! - Happy Halloween!!

Week 11 (Nov 6, 8) Readings: Moss, Chapters 19-21; Kaiser, pp. 351-427.

1. Alexander I, part II and the Decembrist Revolt

2. Nicholas I: "Policeman of Europe:

Week 12 (November 13, 15). Readings: Turgenev, Huntsman's Sketches.

1. Russian Culture under Nicholas I

2. Serfdom and Russian Society: Discussion of Turgenev. ** Paper # 2 DUE **

Week 13 (November 20)

1. Russia and her Nationalities to ca. 1850

Week 14 (Nov. 27, 29) Readings: Moss, Chapter 22; Kaiser, pp. 428-445.

1. The 1840s: Birth of the Russia Intelligentsia

2. Crimean War and Causes of Great Reforms

Week 15 (Dec 4, 6).

1. The Great Reforms

2: Review

FINAL EXAM: Thursday, 13 December, 3:10 to 5:10 pm (in Faner 1224).

Grading:

Book Review 10% Map Quiz 5%

Midterm 20% Two short papers 20%

Final 25% Attendance and participation 20%

Office Hours: (Faner Hall 3270. Telephone: 453-7874. e-mail: tadeusz@siu.ed

TTh 12:15 to 2:00; Wed 9-12 and any time by appointment. I work in my office, so feel free to drop by or call even without an appointment.

For more information: http://colanmc.siu.edu/history/Ted_Weeks/index.htm