This module will examine the most ambitious and sustained revolutionary project in modern European history: the attempt of the Bolshevik party to introduce socialism in Russia, and to transform fundamentally the nature of social relations not just in Russia, but also throughout the world. The main themes will include: processes of socio-economic modernisation; the impact of war on society; processes of state building; ideological and cultural revolution; the role of violence in political life; the development of civil society and ‘everyday life’ under political dictatorship; and Russia, the Soviet Union and the outside world.

• Define and outline the key concepts informing historical discussion of the main themes and controversies of modern Russian and Soviet history.
• Present a warranted interpretation of selected Soviet source material.
• Demonstrate detailed empirical knowledge of some of the major topics of modern Russian/Soviet history.
• Understand and explain the key historiographical interpretations relevant to these topics.
• Assess the methods and arguments of historians in relation to their chosen topics.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the language and meaning of Marxism-Leninism, the ruling ideology of the Soviet Union.
• Construct and communicate effectively a relevant argument that demonstrates adequate use of evidence and of a selection of historical interpretations.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently and with others under the constraints imposed by the components of assessment, for example: word limit, time limit, and deadlines.

A range of teaching methods will be used in each of the sessions of the course, comprising a combination of lectures and seminar discussion of major issues. The syllabus is divided into a series of major course themes, then sub-divided into principal topics for the study of each theme.

Lectures:

The aim of the lectures is to provide a brief introduction to a particular topic, establishing the salient features of major course themes, identifying key issues and providing historiographical guidance. The lectures aim to provide a basic framework for understanding and should be thought of as useful starting points for further discussion and individual study. Where appropriate, handouts and other materials may be distributed to reinforce the material discussed.

Seminars:

The primary aim of seminars will be to generate debate and discussion amongst course participants. Seminars for each of the course topics will provide an opportunity for students to analyse and further discuss key issues and topics relating to lectures.

• communicate ideas and arguments effectively, whether in class discussion or in written form, in an accurate, succinct and lucid manner.
• formulate and justify arguments and conclusions about a range of issues, and present appropriate supporting evidence
• an ability to modify as well as to defend their own position.
• an  ability to think critically and challenge assumptions
• an ability to use a range of information technology resources to assist with information retrieval and assignment presentation.
• time management skills and an ability to independently organise their own study methods and workload.
• work effectively with others as part of a team or group in seminar or tutorial discussions. 

Students will be assessed by means of a combination of one 1000 word assessed essay [15%], one 2000 word assessed essay [35%] and one two-hour unseen written examination paper in which the student will answer two questions [50%].

Course assignments:

1. Assessed Essay 1 will contribute 15% of the final mark for the module. It is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to review evidence, draw appropriate conclusions from it and employ the formal conventions of scholarly presentation. It must be no longer than 1,000 words (excluding empirical appendices and references).
2. Assessed Essay 2 will contribute 35% of the final mark for the module. It is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to review evidence, draw appropriate conclusions from it and employ the formal conventions of scholarly presentation. It must be no longer than 2,000 words (excluding empirical appendices and references).
3. The Examination will take place during the second assessment period [May/June] and will consist of an unseen two hour paper that will contribute the remaining 50% of the final mark for this module. Students must write 2 answers in total.

Lecture plan:

• Background to 1917: Late imperial Russian politics and society; the ‘revolution’ of 1905-7; the First World War; the Provisional Government; the rise of the Bolsheviks.
• The first year of Soviet power in Russia.
• The establishment of Soviet power, 1918-21.
• New Economic Policy – alternative to Stalinism?
• Stalinism: politics, economics, and society.
• De-Stalinization: the Thaw.
• Brezhnev and ‘developed socialism.’
• The Gorbachëv revolution.

Seminar themes:

Seminars will consist each week of assigned short readings or visual materials, whether primary documents, chapter/article-length readings, posters, or film extracts, with two students assigned to present brief reports on the materials that then lead to group discussion around the theme of each seminar. Some themes will be covered over two seminar sessions.

• The crisis of autocracy, 1905–1917: Why did the Bolsheviks come to power?
• The nature of the Leninist system: theory of state power and dictatorship.
• Soviet state violence: theory, practice, justifications.
• Cultural Revolution.
• The nature and demise of NEP.
• Soviet society under Stalinism.
• The Soviet Cold War: The Cuban Missile Crisis and détente.
• The ideological revolution during perestroika.
• The last Soviet generation: growing up before and after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• The intellectual relationship between Russia and the West

Please see Background Reading List for an indicative list.

Gill, Graeme, Symbols and Legitimacy in Soviet Politics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011 (Note: this is too expensive to purchase).

Read, Christopher, War and Revolution in Russia, 1914-1922: The Collapse of Tsarism and the Establishment of Soviet Power, Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2012.

Suny, Ronald Grigor, The Soviet Experiment: Russia, the USSR, and the Successor States, New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.