SLS 2380
Introduction to Slavic and East European
Studies
An introductory study of the social and political
history and culture of the peoples of the former Soviet Union, the
nations of Eastern Europe, and the Balkans. Special emphasis will be
given to the following: the development of national consciousness
through literature and the arts; the influence of religion, e.g.
Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Islam; the impact of war; and the
collapse of the Soviet Empire.
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- (Tentative syllabus, subject to
change)
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- SLS 2380
- Fall 1997
- T-R: 12:30-1:50
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- Dr. Michael Long
- OM 200A
- OFF. HRS.: TBA
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- Required Text: Ash, Timothy Garton. The Magic Lantern: The Revolutions
of '89 as witnessed in Berlin, Warsaw, Budapest, and
Prague.
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- Custom Text of required readings (available in
the BU bookstore)
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- Week One
- Survey of Geographical Area (27
countries)
- Slavs and Non-Slavs: Linguistic and Ethnic
Groupings and Boundaries:
- (Quiz: Nations and Capitals)
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- Week Two
- Pre-history and Early Middle Ages: The
Formation of National Identities
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- Christianity and the Development of Slavic
Culture
- The Great Mission: Constantine and Methodius
(9-10c)
- Slide Presentation
- (Reading: St. Cyril's "Prologue" to the
Gospel)
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- Week Three
- Politics and Religion: Roman Catholicism and
Orthodoxy
- The Rise of Kievan Rus
- Prince Vladimir and the Baptism of
Russia
- (Reading: Primary Chronicle)
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- Week Four
- Eastern Orthodoxy for Beginners
- Theology and Art of Orthodox
Iconography
- Church and State in Russia
- Christianity and Culture in Georgia and
Armenia
- (Reading: Selections from The Orthodox Church,
Timothy Ware)
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Week Five
- The Mongol Invasion
- The Rise of the Russian Monarchy (14-17th
cent.)
- Ivan IV, The Terrible
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- Week Six
- Medieval Eastern Europe:
- The Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania
- Karl IV of Bohemia and the Holy Roman
Empire (14th c.)
- Ottoman Occupation of the Balkans
- Jan Hus, Reformation, and the Thirty Years
War
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- Week Seven
- The Rise of Islam: Central Asia
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- Week Eight
- Peter I, the Great, and Russian
Culture:
- Russia in Modern Europe/ Reform
- The Great Northern War
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- Week Nine
- The Reign of Catherine II, The Great
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- Week Ten
- The Hapsburg Empire/ Austria-Hungary
- Jewish Culture in Central Europe and
Russia
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- Week Eleven
- The Road to Revolution: Russia
1905-1917
- Rasputin
- Russia in World War I: Defeat, Famine, and
Economic Collapse
- The Collapse of the Russian Monarchy
- Lenin and Russian Bolshevism
- (Film: The Russian Revolution)
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- Week Twelve
- Stalin and the Founding of the Soviet
State
- Collectivization
- The Great Terror (1930's)
- World War II and the Realignment of
Europe
- Divided Germany: The Beginning of the Cold
War
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- Week Thirteen
- Modern Socialist Culture
- State Control of Culture: Socialist
Realism
- The Prague Spring and Its End/ Warsaw Pact
Invasion
- Gorbachev and the Revolutions of 1989
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- Grade based on the following
categories and percentages:
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Participation/ Preparedness for
discussion
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20%
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Two Book Reviews:
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a) Non-fiction
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10%
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b) Fiction
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10%
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(from list, or by
instructor approval)
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One Film Review
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10%
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Mid-term Exam
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20%
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Quizzes
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10%
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Final Exam
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20%
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