Fall 2017 - HIST 420 D100
Themes in Russian Imperial History (4)
Class Number: 2992
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Ilya Vinkovetsky
ivink@sfu.ca
1 778 782-4306
Office: AQ 6244
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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. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 420 may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught.
COURSE DETAILS:
Russia’s Eastward Expansion: The Building of a Multicontinental Empire
This is a seminar on Native-European contact, with a twist. In this class, we will explore the interaction between the Natives and the Europeans – but mainly, though not exclusively, in northern Asia (aka Siberia) rather than America. Straddling a dominant chunk of the northern Eurasian landmass, the Russian empire encompassed sizable territories and populations in Europe and Asia – and, for well over a century, in North America as well. Through looking at Russia’s eastward expansion, this seminar will examine how the Russian empire emerged and grew, how it was maintained and managed in the centre and the peripheries, and how – and whether – it came to an end.The main focus will be on the history of Siberia and Russian America (aka Alaska under Russian rule). Other foci will be on colonial policies and local responses in the empire’s multiple regions, where the Russians encountered diverse populations – animists, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians among them. Much of our attention will be on the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when the extent of the Russian empire was arguably at its peak. This was the time of so-called high imperialism around the globe, and a time when the Russian empire was engaged in a frenzied struggle for colonial advantage and resources with other European and Eurasian powers.
Students will be expected to produce a 15- to 25-page research paper, participate actively in discussion, and make oral presentations about class readings and reports on the progress of their research.
Grading
- Seminar participation 30%
- Short response assignments 10%
- Research paper proposal with annotated bibliography 10%
- Peer review 10%
- Research paper 40%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
W. Bruce Lincoln, The Conquest of a Continent: Siberia and the Russians. Cornell University Press, 2007.
John Vaillant, The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival. Vintage, 2011.
Ilya Vinkovetsky, Russian America. Oxford University Press, 2014.
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