Soviet History from the Revolution to the Death of Stalin
| Module title | Soviet History from the Revolution to the Death of Stalin |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLR2022 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Ben Phillips (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will explore a period in Russia's history framed by two defining moments: the revolutions of 1917 and the death of Stalin (1953). The ‘Soviet experiment' was marked by conflict between socioeconomic, cultural, and political backwardness, and advanced notions of progress and modernity. Questions include: what were the results of the Revolution? How did these results match the initial intentions and shape future goals of those instigating change? Was the development of Stalinism inevitable? Who were the winners and the losers in revolutionary Russia?
Course materials available in English; students not learning Russian may take this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to:
- Examine key stages in the development of Revolutionary Russia: The Civil War, the NEP, Industrialisation and Collectivisation, the Great Patriotic War, and Post-war Stalinism
- Introduce major issues in Soviet history from the Revolutions of 1917 to the death of Stalin in 1953
- Develop an understanding of the key issues of this period in Soviet history
- Explore the complex interaction of the concepts of 'backwardness' and 'forwardness' in Russian/Soviet history
- Help students develop analytical and communication skills, both written and oral
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Identify key issues and events of Soviet history 1917-1953, and demonstrate a sound general understanding of the ways in which these are interconnected
- 2. Approach the topics and themes studied with enhanced critical and analytical awareness
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. With some guidance from the course tutor, discuss and evaluate different interpretations of historical events
- 4. Formulate a detailed argument in the appropriate register of English, putting forward a range of evidence in its support
- 5. Use available library and electronic resources in order to investigate topics in an independent fashion
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Undertake independent learning activities with a measure of autonomy, asking for guidance from the course lecturer where necessary
- 7. Adopt a critical approach to selecting and organising material
- 8. Present competent and sustained argument
- 9. Organise personal and work commitments in order to meet specified deadlines
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- The Russian Revolutions of 1917
- The Civil War
- The NEP
- The end of NEP and the Rise of Stalin
- Collectivisation and Industrialisation
- Terror and the Purges
- The Gulag
- The Great Patriotic War
- Post-War Stalinism
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 134 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 10 | Lectures on topics of Soviet history 1917-53 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 5 | Seminars to discuss selected readings set by course tutor |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 1 | End-of-term conclusion session |
| Guided independent study | 134 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Plan | 750 words | 1-9 | Written and oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 100 | 2 hours | 1-9 | Written and oral |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination | 1-9 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Suny, R.G., The Soviet Experiment: Russia, the USSR, and the Successor States.
- Figes, O., A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution 1891-1924
- Fitzpatrick, S., The Russian Revolution (2nd edition)
- Hosking, G., Russia: People and Empire (final edition)
- McAuley, M., Soviet Politics
A full reading list is supplied in the module information.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/02/2016 |
| Last revision date | 04/02/2019 |
