Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - HIST 335 D100

The Soviet Project (4)

Class Number: 4799

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • 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:

Russia in the Twentieth Century

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.

Grading

  • Tutorial participation 15%
  • Weekly writing assignments 15%
  • Midterm essay test 35%
  • Final essay test 35%

NOTES:

Requirements and Grading: There will be two essay tests (midterm and final). The remaining portion of the course grade will be based on tutorial participation and weekly (or almost weekly) written exercises, aka short response papers (of 2-3 pages each, double-spaced). 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Peter Kenez, A History of the Soviet Union from the Beginning to Its Legacy.

Mikhail Bulgakov, Heart of a Dog.

Milovan Djilas, Conversations with Stalin.

Shaun Walker, The Long Hangover: Putin’s New Russia and the Ghosts of the Past.

Kenez, Bulgakov and Djilas are available in e-format on VitalSource:

https://www.vitalsource.com/

Sean Walker’s book is available in e-format on RedShelf:  https://www.redshelf.com/

All these books are also available in physical form.  


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/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