HSTK 423: History of Russia and Eastern Europe
MW 2:30-3:45, Founder’s Hall, Room 212
Dr. Cadra P. McDaniel
Office Hours: M 12:00-1:00; 3:45-4:15; W 12:00-1:00; R 3:00-5:30; Or By Appointment
Course Description
Catalog Description-A history of Russia and Eastern Europe from the 18th century, through the Bolshevik Revolution, to the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Special emphasis will be placed on an analysis of those forces which led to the downfall of the Soviet system and the problems of adjustment in post-Soviet Russia and Eastern Europe. Prerequisite(s): 6 hours HIST or permission of Department Chair.
This specific section of HSTK 423 will examine Russian and Eastern European history from the Ancient period to the contemporary era.
Learning Objectives
1. Obtain an understanding of the major events in Russian and Eastern European history from the Ancient period to the modern era.
2. Analyze Russian and Eastern European perceptions of the West and Western perceptions of Russia and Eastern Europe.
3. Examine the events in Eastern Europe from not only a Russian perspective from the perceptive of non-Russians as well.
4. Develop an appreciation for Eastern Europeans’ and Russians’ cultural accomplishments. Gain an understanding of the economic challenges faced by Russians and Eastern Europeans and recognize their economic achievements.
5. Study the lives of common peasants, the middle class, and rulers and analyze their interpretations of various events and their perceptions of domestic and international affairs.
6. Analyze leading scholarly works and primary documents to improve critical thinking and research skills
7. Examine history from an interdisciplinary approach by studying not only political factors but also artistic, economic, cultural, and religious factors in Russian and Eastern European history
Required Texts
Bushkovitch, Paul. A Concise History of Russia. Cambridge, Cambridge UP, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-0521543231 Referred to as the textbook.
Figes, Orlando. Natasha’s Dance: A Cultural History of Russia. Picador; Reprint edition, October 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0312421953
Online Sources Posted on Blackboard
Most online sources are short primary documents of 1-2 pages
The Varangians (Normans) and the Origins of the Russian and UkrainianStates.
The Christianisation of Russia (988)
The Novgorod Chronicle: Selected Annals Begin reading at AD 1238 and read to the end of the selection
Kalina, Pavel. “European Diplomacy, Family Strategies, and the Origins of Renaissance Architecture in Central and Eastern Europe. Artibus et Historiae. Vol. 30. No. 60. (2009): 173-190. Available via the TAMUCT Library on JSTOR:
Catherine II. Proposals for a New Law Code
Jan Slomka. The Life of a Polish Peasant, c. 1900
Sir Edwin Pears. The Massacre of Bulgarians, 1876
Tsar Nicholas II Abdication Manifesto.
V.I. Lenin’s What is to Be Done?
Vyacheslav Molotov and the Nazi Invasion.
The Brezhnev Doctrine, 1968.
Putin deplores collapse of USSR.
Course Assignments and Policies
There will be 3 examinations during the semester. The first 2 examinations will be worth 100 points and consist of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and an essay question. Also, there will be 5 bonus questions, which will either be in multiple choice or short answer format. The final examination will consists of multiple choice, short answer questions, a non-cumulative essay question, and a cumulative essay question, and 5 bonus questions. For all examinations, possible essay topics will be given to students at least one week prior to the examination so that they may prepare a well-developed answer. The third examination, the final examination, will be worth 150 points. Review material for each examination will be posted on Blackboard 1 week prior to the examination date, and there will be time in class for a review as well as to answer questions about upcoming examinations.
In addition to examination grades, class attendance and discussion will be a factor in each student’s grade. Each day’s attendance, class discussion, and being prepared for class is worth 3 points toward a student’s final grade. Each day in class may not lend itself to discussion; therefore, students will earn that day’s points by being in attendance, paying attention in class, and being prepared for class. Attendance will be taken daily, and during the class discussions, the professor will make a note in the grade book when students contribute. Please review the course schedule at the end of the syllabus and have all readings completed for class. Also, there will be material not covered in the textbook that will be on examinations. PowerPoints and other lecture material are not posted on Blackboard. Therefore, it is highly important that students do not miss class. Students should take notes during lectures or class discussions and ask questions if they have concerns about the material. There is NO recording of lectures or class discussions.
Throughout the semester, students will read several short primary sources and 1 journal article. All readings are listed on the course schedule at the end of the syllabus. Students should read the material and compose a short summary, 1 paragraph (5-7 sentences) to turn in at the beginning of class.Students should NOT use any quotations in these short summaries, but instead paraphrase, or put in their own words, the material that they have read. These summaries do not need to be typed. Due dates for the articles are the dates by which the primary source or article title and author are listed on the Course Schedule at the end of the syllabus.
Summary Rubric. Each summary will be graded on a 7 point scale.
Identify and explain the author’s or authors’ argument: 5
Clarity of writing, correct use of grammar, and follow guidelines: 2
A component of each student’s grade will be a book analysis of Orlando Figes’ Natasha’s Dance: A Cultural History of Russia. The analysis will be 3-5 pages, with 1 inch margins, double spaced, and using 12 point Times New Roman Font. Students need to have a title page, which does not count toward the required 3-5 pages. The title page and paper should conform to the guidelines outlined in the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition. A handout will be distributed in class on the first day of class and posted online, which provides examples from the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition.A handout on Chicago Style will be distributed during the first class meeting, and links to this material will be posted on Blackboard. The material will provide examples from the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition. The student will need a title page, an Endnote Page (if using quoted material), and a Bibliography (if using quoted material), which do not count toward the required pages for each assignment. This assignment MUST be typed.
Throughout the analysis, students may ONLY use 2 quotations of 10 words or less in the analysis. The use of more than 2 quotations or quotations of more than 10 words will reduce significantly students’ grades by 5 points or more. The emphasis is that students paraphrase the material. When students paraphrase the material, they have to engage critically with the material, which leads to a more thorough understanding of the text.For this assignment, ONLY quoted material will need to be cited. Students should only use the book when composing their analysis and not add material from other sources. Students shouldproofreadtheir papers before the due date, and papers should be free generally of typographical errors and misspellings.
Analysis Rubric. Each analysis will be graded on a 100 point scale.
Identify and explain the author’s thesis: 25 points
Identify any supporting themes that compliment the thesis: 20 points
Analyze examples that support the author’s thesis and themes: 20 points
Include original analyses of the work’s major strengths and weaknesses: 20 points
Present clear writing, use correct grammar, and have proper citations,
and follow all paper guidelines: 15 points
The professor will work with students on an individual basis should they have any questions about the assignment. Since this may be the first time that students have composed a history book analysis, students should feel free to ask any questions about the assignment and to discuss specific aspects of their analysis with the professor. All papers are due at the beginning of the class period on Wednesday, April 27. Students must also turn in the paper via Turn-It-In.Com on Blackboard. Papers will be returned to students before Semester Examinations so that all students will know their grade going into Semester Examination week.
For all questions about upcoming examinations or other assignments, please send all questions via email before 4:00 PM the day before the examination date or assignment due date. By having a “cut-off” time for questions, this allows all students an equal chance to have their questions answered before due date.
Class Grading Scale
This class follows TAMUCT’s traditional grading scale of 100-90=A; 89-80=B; 79-70=C; 69-60D; and 59 and below=F.
Exam 1100 points
Exam 2100 points
Exam 3 Final Exam150 points
Book Analysis100 points
Summaries84 points
Attendance/Class Participation 87 points
Total Points621 points
Students may determine their grade by taking the total number of points earned and dividing by the total number of points possible. For example, if a student has585 points and divides by 621the grade would be a 94A.
Course Policies
Absences and Make Up work: Since there will be material covered in class that is not in the textbook and attendance and class discussion are factors in the final grade, it is important that students come to each class. Unexcused absences will affect negatively students’ grades. Only excused absences are allowed. Should studentsmiss a class, make-up assignments will be allowed only for excused absences. Students, when they return, must give the professor written documentation, such as a note from their doctor, which covers the days that they missed. ONLY with this form of note will students be granted an excused absence and be able to make-up work. Students cannot make up work or turn in late work with unexcused absences. ALL make-up work must be turned in no later than 1 week after students return to class. No work will be accepted after the 1 week period.If students miss a class, then they must first check with a classmate about notes for that day, and then contact the professor with any specific questions about that day’s class notes.
It is strongly recommended that students do not miss examinations. However, should absences occur, then students must be prepared to take a make-up examinationwithin 1 week of returning to class. Students will be able to take the make-up examination either during the professor’s office hours or during a class period. However, students who take any make-up examinations during a class period are still responsible for material covered in class that day. Make-up examinations may differ in questions from regular exams and may differ in format as well. Please note that a make-up examination for the Final Examination is very difficult to schedule. The same guidelines regarding excused absences apply for a make-up for the Final Examination.
Incompletes: A grade of an Incomplete is granted rarely. Incompletes will be granted only after the last day to drop a course and will be granted only to students who have experienced a major catastrophic event. Students must provide some form of written documentation that provides evidence of the catastrophic event.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is copying or imitating the language, ideas, and thoughts of another individual(s) and submitting that work as one’s own original work. This action will not be tolerated. All material taken from any source, including books, articles, journals, the Internet, or other sources, must be paraphrased (put in your own words), if quoted, set off in quotation marks, and cited correctly. Plagiarism will be discussed in detail on the first day of class. Should students have any questions about paraphrasing, using quotations, citing material, or documenting sources, please ask questions before, during, or after class, or come by the professor’s office and discuss these concerns.
Work that is deemed plagiarized will result in the grade of a zero for the assignment. Students will be using Turn-It-In.com for major assignments, which checks for plagiarism.The book analysis for Orlando Figes’ Natasha’s Dance: A Cultural History of Russia is a major assignment.Students who receive a mark of 50% or more for plagiarism from Turn-It-In.com will earn a failing grade for the class. This 50% from Turn-It-In.com will not count the Bibliography, other source materials, or quoted materials as being plagiarized. Also, students will earn a failing grade for the class when there is evidence that the plagiarism is from a “purchased” paper or blatant copying of sources, without citations.
Cheating: Cheating isassisting other students with taking examinations or with completing other class projects. The penalty for cheating will be a zero for the assignment.
The UniversityWritingCenter: Students should feel free to visit the University Writing Center (UWC) throughout the semester. The UniversityWritingCenter at Texas A&M University-Central Texas is a free workspace open to all TAMUCT students. The UWC is located in 416 Warrior Hall. The center is open 11am-6pm Monday-Thursday during the spring semester. Students may work independently in the UWC by checking out a laptop that runs Microsoft Office suite and connects to WIFI, or by consulting our resources on writing, including all of the relevant style guides. Students may arrange a one-on-one session with a trained and experienced writing tutor. Tutorials can be arranged by visiting the UWC. Tutors are prepared to help writers of all levels and abilities at any stage of the writing process. Sessions typically last between 20-30 minutes. While tutors will not write, edit, or grade papers, they will help students develop more effective invention and revision strategies.
UNILERT: UNILERT is the Emergency Warning System for TexasA&MUniversity – Central Texas (TAMUCT). UNILERT is an emergency notification service that gives TAMUCT the ability to communicate health and safety emergency information via email and text message. By enrolling in UNILERT, university officials can pass quickly on safety-related information, regardless of your location. To enroll or to find out more about UNILERT, please visit the website
Students with disabilities: In accordance with university policy, the professor will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. It is the student’s responsibility, however, to inform the professor of the nature of the disability and to obtain appropriate documentation from the Division of Student Support Services. The documentation should note clearly the needed accommodations.
Withdrawal, Drop Dates, and Assignment Due Dates: Students who feel that they need to drop the class must go to the Registrar’s Office and complete the withdrawal forms. It is each student’s responsibility to withdraw from a class. Also, it is each student’s responsibility to be aware of all add and drop dates for classes and to be aware of all guidelines in the syllabus and due dates for class assignments including examination dates.
Contacting the Professor:Students should contact the professor if they have any questions about the class or assignments. Please contact the professor as soon as possible so that any concerns may be resolved before it becomes midpoint or later in the semester. Students may contact the professor via e-mail. The professor will respond to all e-mail in a timely manner, usually within 1 business day. Also, students may come by the professor’s office during office hours, or students may make an appointment. Announcements for the class will be posted on Blackboard under the Announcements section. Please check this section regularly.
Course Schedule
The professor reserves the right to make modifications to the course schedule as needed based on time and other factors. Should this need occur, then an updated schedule will be distributed to students and will be posted on Blackboard.
January 20: Introduction to Course, Bushkovitch, Prologue and Ch. 1
January 25: Ancient Russia and Eastern Europe,
Bushkovitch, Ch. 1
January 27: Formation of Kievan Rus’,
Bushkovitch, Ch. 1 Summary Due for Online Source: The Varangians (Normans) and the
Origins of the Russian and UkrainianStates.
February 1: Decline of Kievan Rus’ and the Mongol Invasion,
Bushkovitch, Ch. 2
Summary Due for Online Source The Christianisation of Russia (988)
February 3: Mongol Rule and the Development of Russia and Eastern European Civilizations,
Bushkovitch, Ch. 2;
Summary Due for The Novgorod Chronicle: Selected Annals
Begin reading at AD 1238 and read to the end of the selection
February 8: Development of Russian Civilization and Culture and the RussianState,
Bushkovitch, Ch. 3