Module Information

Module Identifier
HY12020
Module Title
Russia since 1900
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 20 x 1 Hour Lectures
Seminar 5 x 1 Hour Seminars
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 1 x 2,500 word essay  30%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   (1 x 2 hour exam)  70%
Supplementary Assessment 1 x 2,500 word supplementary (resit) essay  30%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   1 x 2 hour supplementary (resit) examination  70%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Describe and assess the domestic History of Russia since 1900.

Comprehend the continuity and change in Russian politics, society and economics since 1900, and the historiography of these phenomena.

Demonstrate an ability to use and reflect critically upon a range of relevant primary and secondary material.

Express understanding, in written form, within an academic context.

Demonstrate an ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Brief description

The twentieth century was, for Russia, one of the most challenging in its history and the state existed in more than one form ? as Empire, Soviet Union, and the Russian Federation. During the twentieth century Russia experienced war, revolution and systemic collapse, all of which brought serious challenges and which have left their mark on contemporary Russia. Only by examining the whole century can Modern Russia be properly understood and key questions as to the impact of war, revolution, collapse, and Russia's post-Soviet development be addressed. This module will provide an overview of the history of Russia from 1900 to the present day. By examining the whole twentieth century, the continuities and changes in Russian politics, society and economics from the Russian Empire, through the Soviet era and into the post-Soviet period can be understood and an appreciation of Modern Russia gained.


Content

Lectures
1. Introduction: Russia in 1900
2. The 1905 Revolution
3. Reaction, Reform and the Duma
4. Russia and the First World War
5. The February Revolution and the Provisional Government
6. The October Revolution and the Rise of the Bolsheviks
7. The NEP Era
8. The Great Break
9. The Soviet Union under Stalin
10. The Soviet Union at War, 1941-1945
11. High Stalinism
12. Destalinization
13. Restalinization and Stagnation
14. Glasnost and Perestroika
15. The Collapse of the Soviet Union
16. Post-Soviet Russia, 1991-1999
17. Russia under Putin, 2000-
18. Concluding Session: Understanding Russia

Seminars
1. Introduction: Historiography of the Russian Revolution
2. The Consolidation of Bolshevik Power and the NEP Era
3. The Soviet Union under Stalin
4. The Khrushchev and Brezhnev Eras
5. The Collapse of the Soviet Union

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number
Communication This module will help students develop their listening and note taking skills during the lectures; they will demonstrate and develop the ability to communicate ideas in the essay. Skills in oral presentation will be developed in seminars but are not formally assessed.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students are encouraged to make use of advice given in the individual tutorial for essay feedback on how to improve research and communication skills
Information Technology Students will be encouraged to locate suitable material on the web and to apply it appropriately to their own work. Students will also be encouraged to word-process their work and make use of Blackboard. These skills will not be formally assessed.
Personal Development and Career planning Students will develop a range of transferable skills, including time management and communication skills, which may help them identify their personal strengths as they begin to consider potential career paths.
Problem solving Students are expected to note and respond to historical problems and to undertake appropriate research for seminars and the essay
Research skills Students will be required to read a wide range of texts and evaluate their usefulness to set research questions. Research for coursework and the written examination will help them improve their research skills.
Subject Specific Skills Students will develop an awareness of appropriate sources and historical literature associated with study of modern Russia.
Team work Students will be expected to play an active part in group activities (e.g. short group presentations in seminars) and to learn to evaluate their own contribution to such activities

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4