Time Schedule:
Daniel Clarke Waugh
HIST 494
Seattle Campus
Advanced seminar examining central issues in historiography. Emphasizes reading, discussion, and writing.
Class description
THE MYTH OF RUSSIAN MODERNIZATION IN THE 18TH CENTURY
The course will test the assumptions of "modernization" theory by looking at the specific case of Russia in a "long 18th century" beginning in fact in the last half of the 17th century and bringing the story down to the beginning of the 19th. There will be a substantial emphasis on learning about "modernization" in a comparative European context. The Russian material in the course will focus especially on the times of Emperor Peter I "the Great" (1682-1725) and Catherin II "the Great" (1762-1796).
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Since this the capstone course for history majors, students should come into the course with good analytical reading and writing skills and be prepared to do a lot of hard work and frequent writing assignments. No formal prerequisites.
Class assignments and grading
Seminar meeting once a week. Some general reading in the first week or two for background; then individualized (or possibly small group) assignments. Several analystical essays on assigned materials (no research paper). Grades based in the first instance on written work, but class particpation also will count.
