This course covers the medieval and early modern period in the history of Northern Eurasia that witnessed political self-organization of the region along several competing scenarios. Their relative success depended on how well they accommodated people’s interaction with the natural environment and their neighbors; the coexistence of nomads with the sedentary population; and the efficiency of different models of statehood. Eventually, several competing regional powers (Muscovy, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Crimean Khanate) became incorporated into the modern Russian Empire that reconfigured and reinvented the old historical lands and regions. Their distinctive cultures and political traditions became the source of both dynamism and instability of the Russian Empire as a heterogeneous society struggling with the problem of managing human diversity.

Textbook: David Goldfrank, A History of Russia: Peoples, Legends, Events, Force, 1st ed. (Cengage Learning, 2013) On reserve in Daley Library; UIC bookstore.

Requirements: Students will be evaluated on the basis of two (3-page) position papers, each worth 15% of the grade; a midterm and a final exam (papers) worth 20% each; participation in discussion sessions on Fridays is worth 10%; and attendance of regular classes—the remaining 5%.

Extensions on papers will be granted only by prior arrangement and only with a legitimate excuse.

Other required readings have been posted on Blackboard and are marked in the syllabus.

Important Course Policies:

• Plagiarism and cheating are completely unacceptable. Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking someone else’s written work without proper citation. You must not use someone else’s words without putting them in quotation marks and providing a proper reference. If you borrow an idea from another author, please reference it as well. I am more interested in your original thoughts and in your ability to engage with other people’s ideas than in “correct” and “sophisticated” papers that are stolen and thus tell me nothing about your progress in the course. (Keep in mind that I do not define knowledge as regurgitated information.) Plagiarism may result in an “F” for this class. I will treat it as a very serious offense.

• Safe Assign. All papers must be submitted electronically through Safe Assign on Blackboard before the beginning of the class on the due date AND turned in as hard copy in class.

• Late papers. Late papers will be given a lower grade.

• Electronic equipment in class. Please avoid using mobile phones, texting, or looking at text messages during class – I want you to participate in the discussions, to be able to ask questions, and get as much as possible from our meetings. You may use computers to take notes, but only if you are a highly self-disciplined person who cannot be distracted by the Internet.

• Attendance. I expect students to be present in class and ready to contribute to our common work. Many of the visual materials will be presented only in class. Your final grade depends partially on attendance at lectures. Your participation in Friday discussion sessions is very important. We will take attendance via a sign-in sheet at the front of the classroom. Please do not sign in for your friends, this can be easily established. If you have a valid reason to miss the class, please contact me and provide an explanation and proof.

Schedule of Topics and Assignments:

This course outline is subject to change during the semester. Students are responsible for all adjustments announced in class.

Enjoy your winter break!