Course description:

This course surveys the history of the Russian Empire as a multiethnic, multilingual, and multicultural space. We will analyze how this space was constructed politically and culturally, and how it was experienced by various subjects of the empire in its different localities. We will trace how the understanding of Russianness evolved from the imperial to the national concept and identity. History is always about telling stories, and thus about remembering names, circumstances, and the sequence of events. However, learning facts about the Russian Empire is not the ultimate goal of the class. It is just a necessary prerequisite for the much more challenging task of imagining life in a very different society and understanding how this complex and unevenly organized imperial society functioned. How were empires perceived in the long nineteenth century? What mechanisms did they use to govern their diverse populations? How did empires create nations and at the same time nourish hybrid and situational identities? And what were the unique features of the Russian Empire as a modernizing state?

In short, this course is about the Russian Empire as an example of a complex and diverse society and polity adjusting to challenges of modernity such as the rationalization of governance, social, and cultural unification, the rise of mass societies, mass politics, and popular culture, and the rise of nationalism. Students who take this class are invited to share their own experiences of living in multicultural environments.

Requirements:

Students will be evaluated on the basis of three (4-pg.) position papers, each worth 15% of the grade; a midterm and a final exam (paper) 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.

Textbook: Catherine Evtuhov and Richard Stites, A History of Russia Since 1800. Peoples, Legends, Events, Forces. On reserve in Daley Library; UIC bookstore

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.

MAY 2 Instruction ends

Final examination

Final paper due no later than 12:00 noon, Thursday, May 8

Turn into Safe Assign

Have a great summer!!!