Fall 2005

REE 335 • Stalinist Russia - W

Course Description

This seminar will examine the Soviet Union during Stalin's rule. Attention will be focused on the origins and nature of Stalinism, on the social impact of the state's attempt to transform the Soviet Union into an industrial power, the debate over the sources used to study the Great Terror, and the fight to the death in the Great Patriotic War. The everyday lives, hopes, and beliefs of ordinary people will be of particular concern. In all of this we will be, of course, evaluating the role played by Stalin.

Grading Policy

written assignments 75% classroom participation 25%

Written Assignments: This course contains a substantial writing component. During the course of the semester students will write four critical reviews of assigned reading, four-five pages in length each.

Texts

We will read memoirs and novels as well as the writings of historians. We will also view a documentary and two feature films. Hoffmann, David, ed. Stalinism. Leder, Mary. My Life in Stalinist Russia. Scott, John. Behind the Urals. Chukovskaya, Lydia. Sofia Petrovna. Koestler, Arthur. Darkness at Noon. Solzhenitsyn, Alexander. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Overy, Richard. Russia's War.

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