Welcome to the Internet version of course materials for History 354: "Russian History," taught by Marvin G. Slind at Luther College, fall semester 2009.

Course Contents
For files marked with Adobe Acrobat® is Required. Get Adobe Acrobat®
Course Outline
Course Requirements
Reading Schedule for Textbook
Examinations: Study Guide for Exam #1, Thursday, October 1 Study Guide for Exam #2, Thursday, November 5 Study Guide for Final Exam, To be held on official date designated by Registrar: 3:30 - 5:30, Tuesday, December 15 Some advice for writing examinations Criteria used in evaluating essay exams
Map Quizzes> September 24 and November 19
Some points to remember when citing other works in your paper

Marvin G. Slind
Office: 204 Koren
Phone: 387-1155
e-mail: slindmar@luther.edu
(You can find my homepage at http://faculty.luther.edu/~slindmar)

Office hours: M – W – F, 9:15 – 10:15
T – Th, 11:00 – 12:00,
And by appointment

 

History 354 is a general survey of Russian-Soviet history from earliest times through and beyond the Soviet period. Major topics covered include: the foundation of the medieval Russian State, the rise of Muscovy, Peter the Great and the emergence of modern Russia, Catherine the Great and eighteenth century European culture, Alexander I and the Napoleonic era, Russian a utocracy in the nineteenth century the emergence of Russian radicalism, Lenin and the Russian Revolution of 1917, rise of Stalin, World War II, the Cold War, reconstruction and collapse of the Soviet state, and post-Soviet Russia. In addition to political events, major cultural developments will also be examined.

The course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the historical development of Russia, from the earliest historical times to the present. Although the course will examine Russia history in general, specific developments in individual areas will be covered where their historical significance warrants such detail.

Required Reading

Nicholas V. Riasanovsky and Mark D. Steinberg, A History of Russia (Seventh Edition) (Oxford University Press, ISBN: 0-19-515394-4)

"Supplemental Course Materials" (available online via this website or the Luther Katie site: http://katie.luther.edu)--includes course outline, identification items for map quizzes, etc.

Highly Recommended: an historical atlas (such as the Hammond Historical Atlas of the World, or a similar work) for reference throughout the course, and in studying for map quizzes. (A copy of the Hammond Historical Atlas of the World will be on reserve in Preus Library.)

Reading Schedule

The document "Lecture Topics and Suggested Reading Schedule" indicates reading assignments for each section of the course. Because of the amount of reading required, you cannot expect to digest all of the material at one time. You should thus try to read part of the assigned material daily, or at least several times a week. Reading the material before the subject is covered in class will make it easier for you to understand the lectures, and help you formulate questions which will help you learn the material more effectively.

Course Structure

This class consists primarily of lectures, supplemented by films, videos, or slides. The lectures are not simply a repetition of information found in the text. Examinations will cover material from the reading assignments as well as the lectures. You will be responsible for lecture material whether or not you are in class, and attendance may be considered when determining "borderline" grades.

Although this is primarily a lecture course, you are encouraged to ask questions. If you have questions that you believe are too detailed to ask in class, or which may be outside the general interest of the class, please visit me in my office.

Assignments and Examinations:

2 midterm examinations (100 points each) (October 1 and November 5)
1 final examination (partly comprehensive) (100 points) (At officially scheduled time during finals week: 3:30 - 5:30, Tuesday, December 15.)
(Click highlighted dates for Study Guides.)

2 map quizzes (25 points each--50 points total) (September 24 and November 19)

1 Research paper (100 points) (Due November 17)

Total: 450 points

(More information regarding these assignments is provided in a separate handout: "Assignments and Examinations." Dates listed are tentative, and subject to possible change.)

Violations of the Honor System will be referred to the Honor Council, which will assess the appropriate penalties.