Revised 5/25

HIS 241 - History of Russia I (3 CR.)

Course Description

Surveys the history of Russia from earliest times to the present. Includes political, economic, multi-national, social, and cultural aspects of Russian and Soviet history. Part I of II. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course reviews the history of Russia from earliest times to about 1900 and introduces students to the developments of medieval and imperial Russia. Students will examine the major themes and issues that have defined Russia's past and also study some Russian cultural achievements in areas such as art, architecture, music, theater, dance, literature and philosophy.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Reading and writing competency at the college-level.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Establish a chronology of historical events in Russia before 1900.
  • Obtain a knowledge of the historical geography of Russia up to 1900
  • Define the importance of key individuals and developments in Russian history before 1900.
  • Identify the social, economic and political forces at work in the historical development of medieval and imperial Russia.
  • Recognize and describe the significance of some of the cultural achievements in medieval and imperial Russia
  • Analyze complex Russian historical sources and materials and reach conclusions based on interpretations of those materials.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Kievan Rus’
  • The Mongol invasions of Russia
  • Muscovite Russia and the Time of Troubles
  • Peter the Great
  • Catherine the Great
  • Alexander I
  • Nicholas I
  • Alexander II and Alexander III
  • Nicholas II
  • Medieval and imperial Russian cultural achievements
  • The Russian revolutionary tradition