HS 290 - History of Russia and East Europe

2. Analyze scholarly primary and secondary sources in order to understand and articulate the commonalities and differences among diverse cultures and worldviews within Russia and East  Europe with regard to economic, social, cultural and political problems. (GELO3)

3. Comprehend how the changing historic context and social, political, economic and cultural conditions from 1750 CE impacted the behavior of individuals, the development and operation of societal institutions and governments and the perception of social and cultural institutions and phenomena. (GELO3)

4. Through a historical perspective, understand how past generations have labored to explain the world, explore the causation for diverse cultural traditions, and appreciate the diversity and complexities of the global community. (GELO3)

5. Through historical methods of analysis, conduct primary and secondary research, analyze data, craft academic arguments about historical causation and social significance, and effectively present their findings. (GELO2)

6. Comprehend how the changing historic context and social, political, economic and cultural conditions from 1750 CE impacted the behavior of individuals, the development and operation of societal institutions and governments and the perception of social and cultural institutions and phenomena in Russia and East European countries. (GELO3)

7. Explore questions and hypotheses related to political power and agency, racial, ethnic, religious, social and gender inequality through the use of primary and secondary sources and detailed analysis. (GELO3)

8. Analyze the complex relationship between the social construction of race and ethnicity while evaluating their impacts on politics, societies and cultures. (GELO3)

9. Translate or explain what written information means and/or how it can be used. (GELO2)

10. Create and/or organize data and information into meaningful patterns in order to interpret and draw inferences from it. (GELO3)
Course Outline:
I.  What is East Europe and Russia? Orientalism, Balkanism and the Traveler

II. Background: East Europe and Russia to 1750

III. The Politics of Backwardness

IV. The Ottoman Empire: Goals and Problems

V. The Habsburg Empire: Goals and Problems

VI. The Russian Empire: Goals and Problems

VII. Nationalism and Pan-slavism

VIII. Revolts and Revolutions in the Balkans and Central Europe

IX. Russian Reform and Modernization 1855-1904

X. Reform in the Ottoman and Austrian Empires

XI. Fin de Siecle Culture & Society

XII. The Road to the Great War

XIII. The Russian Revolution & NEP

XIV. The Treaty of Versailles & a New Europe

XV. The Great Experiment

XVI. Interwar East Europe: Promise

XVII. The Interwar Failure of Democracy: The Age of Anxiety

XVIII. Fascism

XIX. Stalinism through 1939

XX. World War II

XXI. The Holocaust: Genocide, Collaboration & Dissent

XXII. The Communist Takeovers & the Cold War

XXIII. Life Under Communism

XXIV. 1954 and the Prague Spring

XXV. Velvet and Violent Revolution

XXVI. Perestroika, Glasnost and 1991

XXVII. Post Communism

Discussion based on the secondary resources and primary sources: 20-50%
Mandatory Course Components:
Course components can be modified as long as student learning outcomes are being met for Humanities and Social Sciences and as long as they fall within the ranges listed under the Mandatory CLO/ILO Competency Assessment Measures.

Any major deviations from the suggested material must be vetted through the department.

Papers: 30-40%

Essay-based exams: 40-50%

Presentation and participation: 10-20%

Quizzes and Written Assessments: 10-20%
Equivalent Courses:
None