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2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST2307 Civilisation of the Tsars: Imperial Russia, 1801-1917

20 creditsClass Size: 42

Module manager: Dr Lara Cook
Email: L.Cook@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2014/15

Module replaces

HIST2306: Civilization of the Tsars: Imperial Russia, 1825-1917

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The collapse of Tsarist power in February 1917 and the eventual onset of communist rule in Russia changed the course of world history. But why did imperial Russia fail? This module addresses that crucial question, but it does not assume that the Russian Revolution was inevitable. By surveying the development of imperial Russia between the accession of Alexander I in 1801 and the fall of Nicholas II in 1917, this module charts the change from a society that was characterised by explicit devotion to the tsar to one that was defined by profound division and uncertainty. But it treats the civilisation of the Tsars on its own terms, exploring how its society was structured and how political, socio-economic and cultural factors sustained it for so long.

Objectives

- Development of skills of historical inquiry, interpretation, analysis and synthesis
- Development of skills of locating, selecting and evaluating primary and secondary sources

Learning outcomes
- A knowledge and understanding of the course of Russian history in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
- A knowledge of the structure of Russian society and civilisation before 1917
- A knowledge of, and ability to engage with debates about, the origins of the Russian Revolution

Syllabus

Likely topic areas will include: the reign of Alexander I; the emergence of the intelligentsia and reformist officialdom; the great reforms of Alexander II; radical opposition and terrorism; the revolution of 1905; the Russia of the Dumas; the revolution of 1917. Broad thematic analysis, of such areas as nation and empire, great power politics, serfdom, Orthodoxy, urban life, and art and culture, will also be built into the course.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	9	1.00	9.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Preparation for each seminar, including reading for every seminar and completion of short piece of work on five occasions; preparation for and writing of coursework essay; exam revision.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminar discussion, ongoing formal work (short papers and mini-presentations) and meetings in office hours. Students will also be offered meetings to discuss essays and for essay feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Five short pieces of work (short papers and mini-presentations)	10.00
Essay	2,000 words to be submitted by 12.00pm on Monday of teaching week 8	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 27/03/2015

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