Details
Code 22070
Level of study Second Year
Credit value 20
Semester 1 and 2
Pre-requisite modules Where students take this course as a 10 credit unit they will be expected to undertake self directed study of the material not covered from the readin
Module description
The first semester examines the political and intellectual history of the tsarist era from 1840 to 1917. It examines the official ideology of the regime and the challenge posed by various political and intellectual - Nihilism, Populism, Anarchism and Marxism. It examines the roots of these different movements both domestically and internationally. It looks at the debates between these various currents regarding the future development of Russia.
The second semester examines the political and intellectual history of the Soviet era from 1917 to 1989, and the elaboration of the official state ideology. It analyses the role of ideas in shaping the development of the regime and the way ideas were adapted to changing circumstances. Attention will be paid to the reception of official ideas, from their internalisation to their rejection.
In both semesters students will study political programmes and declarations, as well as selected novels and short stories and their reception.
Teaching and learning methods
These courses are taught by a combination of lectures, classes and directed reading.
This module is available as:
Autumn term only 10 credit unit – 3,000 word assessed essay
Spring term only 10 credit unit – 3,000 word assessed essay
Whole Year 20 credit unit – 2,000 word summative essay (35%), 3,000 word summative essay (55%) plus class presentation (10%)