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HSY2540/3540

Modern Russia: the rise and fall of Soviet power

Ian Cummins

8 points
* Two lectures and one tutorial per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives Students successfully completing this subject should have acquired a knowledge and understanding of the genesis, evolution and demise of the Soviet order, entailing in turn some acquaintance with ideological issues involved. They should also have developed an awareness of scholarly debate on the nature of Stalinism and its links with Leninism, as well as on the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In the process, students should continue to develop their critical and analytical skills appropriate to this discipline.

Synopsis This subject will examine the origins, course and impact of the Russian revolutions of 1917. It will then focus on the rise and evolution of the Soviet regime, principally in the eras of Lenin and Stalin, and consider the causes of the end of the Soviet order in 1991.

Assessment second year Class paper (1500 words) and long essay (2500 words): 60%
* Examination (2 hours): 30%
* Class participation/attendance: 10%

Assessment third year Seminar paper (1500 words) and research essay (2500 words): 60%
* Examination (2 hours): 30%
* Class participation and attendance: 10%

Prescribed texts

Carr E H The Russian Revolution from Lenin to Stalin, 1917-1929 Macmillan, 1980

Christian D Power and privilege: The Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and the challenge of modernity Longman, 1994

Fitzpatrick S The Russian Revolution OUP, 1983

Hosking G A history of the Soviet Union Fontana, 1985

Kochan L and Abraham R The making of modern Russia Pelican, 1990

Nove A Stalinism and after Allen and Unwin, 1975

Schapiro L The Communist Party of the Soviet Union Methuen, 1970

Siegelbaum L Soviet state and society between revolutions, 1918-1929 CUP, 1992

Tucker R C The Lenin anthology Norton, 1980

Von Laue T H Why Lenin? Why Stalin? Why Gorbachev? Harper Collins, 1993

White S After Gorbachev 4th edn, CUP, 1993

Wilson E To the Finland station Fontana, 1988


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Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996