Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - HIST 335 D100

The Soviet Project (4)

Class Number: 8300

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 11, 2017
    Tue, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Ilya Vinkovetsky
    ivink@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4306
    Office: AQ 6244

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units, including six units of lower division history.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the history of the Soviet Union from its creation to its collapse, emphasizing its ideology, culture, role in global politics, and social and economic transformations.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course covers the history of the Soviet Union from its creation to its collapse.  Particular emphases will be on the context out of which that state emerged, how it was constructed and maintained, and how it fell apart.  

The Soviet Union was not merely a state; it also represented an attempt to forge an alternative civilization – a dream to some and a nightmare to others.  The drama of the Soviet project dominated much of the twentieth century.  In this course, we will trace this drama and its legacy.  We will consider the history of the Soviet Union from start to finish, and look into the USSR’s ideology, culture, social and economic transformations, and role in global politics. We will also examine post-Soviet Russia.

Grading

  • There will be three written examinations with essay questions: two of them during the semester and one as the final exam. Each of these will be worth one fourth of your grade. The remaining fourth of the course grade will be based on in-class and tutorial participation and a limited number of short written exercises, including the map quiz during the second week of the semester.
  • participation & short written exercises 25%
  • first test 25%
  • second test 25%
  • final exam 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Ronald Grigor Suny, The Soviet Experiment: Russia, the USSR, and the Successor States.

Mikhail Bulgakov, Heart of a Dog.

Peter Pomerantsev, Nothing is True and Everything is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia.

Courseware reader.

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