HS3SMR-Making Revolution: Russia, 1905-1929

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Andy Willimott

Email: a.willimott@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This Special Subject examines the process of revolutionary change in Russia between 1905 and 1929. It will chart Russia’s development from the autocracy of the Tsarist regime to the promise of Socialism. The module starts with what Lenin called the ‘dress-rehearsal’, the 1905 Revolution, an uprising that saw thousands of people take to the streets to protest against the inequalities of the age. We will chart the everyday experience of revolutionary forces, from workers carting their bosses out of the factory in wheelbarrows to the growth of underground political movements. From there, we will explore the ideologies competing for Russia’s future, and examine why the Bolsheviks were able to seize power in 1917. The module will close by considering life in the world’s first socialist state, exploring new ideas about work, sex, society, and culture. This module will be based on extensive primary sources, including recently declassified documents from the Russian archives. It will also draw on the latest historiographical debates in the field. Ultimately, this module will place the Russian Revolutions in their historical, political, cultural and geographical context and will consider the impact these events had on the history of the twentieth century.

Aims:

Specials aim to provide 'hands-on' experience of the historian's task through close examination and evaluation of primary sources and the light they shed on issues and problems.

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Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• undertake detailed textual analysis and comment on the primary materials


• achieve a detailed command of varying historical interpretations of the primary materials and subject as a whole


• organise material and articulate arguments effectively in writing under timed conditions


• recognise and interpret a wide range of different primary materials


• locate and assemble information on the subject by independent research


• deploy primary materials to shed light on the issues and problems being studied

Additional outcomes:

This module also aims to encourage the development of oral communication skills and the student’s effectiveness in group situations. Students will also develop their IT skills by use of relevant web resources.

Outline content:

This Special Subject examines the process of revolutionary change in Russia between 1905 and 1929. It will chart Russia’s development from the autocracy of the Tsarist regime to the promise of Socialism. The module starts with what Trotsky called the ‘dress-rehearsal’, the 1905 Revolution, an uprising that saw thousands of people take to the streets to protest against the inequalities of the age. We will chart the everyday experience of revolutionary forces, from workers carting their bosses out of the factory in wheelbarrows to the growth of underground political movements. From there, we will explore the ideologies competing for Russia’s future, and examine why the Bolsheviks were able to seize power in 1917. The module will close by considering life in the world’s first socialist state, exploring new ideas about work, sex, society, and culture. This module will be based on extensive primary sources, including recently declassified documents from the Russian archives. It will also draw on the latest historiographical debates in the field. Ultimately, this module will place the Russian Revolutions in their historical, political, cultural and geographical context and will consider the impact these events had on the history of the twentieth century.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The teaching for this module involves weekly two-hour discussion seminars.

Students will gain ‘hands-on’ experience of the historian’s task through the detailed evaluations of key texts, and the light they shed on the issues and problems being investigated.

Students will be required to prepare for seminars through reading from both the primary sources and the secondary literature.

Students are expected to carry out self-directed revision in the summer term. Staff will be available for consultation as necessary.

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	22	22
Tutorials	2
Guided independent study:	176	178
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term	200	200
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Written assignment including essay	60

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A two-hour paper involving detailed commentary on extracts from the sources studied.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write two essays (each constituting 30% of the overall mark for the module) to be submitted electronically, the first by 12 noon on the Monday of Week 5 in the spring term, the second by 12 noon on the Friday of Week 1 in the summer term. Each essay shall not exceed 3,000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography. Essays which exceed the word limit by more than 5% will incur a penalty of five marks. Candidates will be rewarded for making appropriate use of the prescribed texts.

Formative assessment methods:

Formative work, for instance seminar presentations, book reviews, posters, practice source commentaries, will be required for this Special Subject over the two terms.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment will be by the same method as the module’s original requirement, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2019