Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2015 - HIST 420 D100

Russia as a Multiethnic Empire (4)

Class Number: 5892

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 18, 2015
    Fri, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units including nine units of lower division history.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of how the Russian Empire grew, was maintained, and came to an end, if it did end, through a study of imperial and colonial policies and practices and the responses to these by the area's diverse peoples.

COURSE DETAILS:

   This course will deal with the crucial moments and rather particular episodes in the history of the rise and fall of the Russian multi-ethnic Empire, which was in existence for more than four hundred years. We will examine the building and the evolution of the political and administrative systems of the Empire, as well as its mainstream and specific nationality policies. We will pay particular attention to the ethnically non-Russian components of the Empire, focusing on what brought them to the Russian system and kept them there for so long. To answer these questions in some detail, we will research several case-studies: Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Russian Jews, and the Russians of Siberia.          
   The format of this class will include my lectures, discussions, presentations, and two exams. Each student is expected to partake in our discussions and to give two presentations (10 min each). The topics of the presentations will be chosen in consultation with me. Choose your presentation topic at least a week prior to the day of your presentation. Our exam assignments will be explained in class.   
       
   I will be sending you discussion assignments on a daily basis. Please study them attentively.

Grading

  • Contributions to discussions 30%
  • Two presentations (10% each) 20%
  • Two exams (20%+30%) 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Andreas Kappeler. THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE: A MULTIETHNIC HISTORY. Pearson, 2001

Timothy Snyder. THE RECONSTRUCTION OF NATIONS. Yale Univ. Press, 2003

Zvi Gitelman. A CENTURY OF AMBIVALENCE: THE JEWS OF RUSSIA AND THE SOVIET UNION, 1881 TO THE PRESENT. Indiana Univ. Press, 2001

RECOMMENDED READING:

Strongly Recommended Readings (available on the Library Reserve). Good for discussions and presentations:

Ronald G. Suny. THE MAKING OF THE GEORGIAN NATION. Indiana Univ. Press, 1994

Toivo U. Raun. ESTONIA AND THE ESTONIANS. Hoover Institution Press, 2001

Geoffrey Hosking. RULERS AND VICTIMS: THE RUSSIANS IN THE SOVIET UNION. The Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press, 2006

W. Bruce Lincoln. THE CONQUEST OF A CONTINENT: SIBERIA AND THE RUSSIANS. Random House, 1994

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS