Module: Authority and society in the 20th century

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Authority and society in the 20th century
Module Code	HY228
School	68
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Beatrice Scutaru Semester 2: Beatrice Scutaru Autumn: Beatrice Scutaru
Module Teachers	Beatrice Scutaru Grania Shanahan
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

None

Description

This module offers a unique look at the Cold War by moving away from the superpower confrontation. Instead, we will explore the impact of the Cold War on Europe and the rest of the world, as well as focus on the numerous contacts that could be established between peoples across borders. This module will also consider the links between the Cold War and parallel histories of decolonisation, international development, globalisation, and European integration, and the way the conflict shaped understandings of society, science and culture.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and understand main problems and periods of the Russian 20th c. history
2. Critically assess main historiographical approaches to the Russian 20th c. history
3. Demonstrate skills of primary and secondary source analysis
4. Develop and improve academic writing skills
5. Place works of cultural production in their historical context and appreciate the links between culture and political/social changes

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	40	Lectures or equivalent in video/audio recordings
Assignment Completion	190	Independent and group work on assignments
Total Workload: 230

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Late imperial Russia
1905 revolution, nationalities issue, economic development

Russian Revolution and Civil War
Two revolutions, impact of war Political violence and its tradition, breaking up of social order

1920s, NEP and building new state structures
Social and economic changes, Experiments in art, culture and education. Establishing state and party systems.

Revolution from above
Stalin, ‘Great leap forward’, collectivisation and industrialization

Stalinism and great terror
Mass repressions; gulag; fear and power

WWII
Course, experience and outcomes for Soviet society

Thaw and destalinization
1953 and destalinization, 1960s liberalization and USSR in Central Europe

Science in USSR
Science, technology and space race. Nuclear power

Dissent
Dissent and counter cultures in USSR. Human rights movement

Perestroika
Ideological crisis, quest for freedom, reforms and the end of communism

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Reading Journal. Short comments on assigned readings following specific instructions on the format. Readings are assigned weekly. Students must comment on five readings (minimum).	50%	As required
Group project	Group project: Analysis of a work of art in its historical context.	30%	Week 11
Reflective journal	Short reflection (ca. 500 words) on student learning experience in this module.	5%	Week 12
Assignment	Short written assignment (ca. 500-700 words). A thematic overview of three key themes identified by the student based on the course material.	15%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Ronald Suny (ed.): 2006, The Cambridge History of Russia. Volume 3, The Twentieth Century,

Other Resources

54026, Overviews, Ronald Suny, 0, The Soviet experiment: Russia, the USSR, and the successor states (New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press, c1998), 54027, Overviews, Smith, S. A, 0, Russia in revolution: an empire in crisis, 1890 to 1928 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017), 54028, Overviews, Moshe Lewin, 0, The Soviet Century (London, New York: Verso, 2005), 54029, Collections of Primary Sources, Ronald Suny (ed.), 0, The Structure of Soviet History: Essays and Documents (New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014), http://soviethistory.msu.edu/, 54030, Key periodicals, 0, Kritika: Explorations in Russian and Eurasian History, https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/108, 54031, Key periodicals, 0, Slavic Review, http://www.jstor.org.dcu.idm.oclc.org/journal/slavicreview,

Programme or List of Programmes

BAJH	Bachelor of Arts (BAJH)
BAJL	Bachelor of Arts (BAJL)
BAJP	Bachelor of Arts (BAJP)

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