Universität Wien

070033 SE BA-Seminar (2015S)

The "Great Terror" in the USSR, 1936-38

10.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 7 - Geschichte
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 25 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

  • Montag 09.03. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 16.03. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 23.03. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 13.04. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 20.04. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 27.04. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 04.05. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 11.05. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 18.05. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 01.06. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 08.06. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 15.06. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 22.06. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Montag 29.06. 15:15 - 16:45 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

The seminar deals with that period in Soviet history when mass-repression was at its highest, in the years 1936-38. Various theories and arguments have been offered to “explain” why Stalin and his Politburo unleashed several campaigns of arrest against different groups in the population in what unique in modern history: the state terror was conducted in peacetime and thus targeted native citizens and not those on conquered territory. In presenting the latest insights into the Terror, it will be shown that the waves of repression were part of a complex phenomenon. Firstly, Stalin eliminated leading cadres in ministries, local government, the Party, the Red Army and the secret police NKVD. Secondly, “traditional enemies” were, once again, victims: clergy, religious believers, members of the old upper and middle classes and ex-officials of the Tsarist regime. Thirdly, groups down the social scale held to be notoriously hostile to “Soviet power” were arrested: peasants, criminals and other social outcasts. Fourthly, ethnic groups often subject to periodic repression in the past were decimated, notably Poles, Germans and Latvians.
The seminar will also address the reasons for the mass-arrests: Was the international situation in 1937 decisive? Was the Terror an attempt to rid Soviet society of persons seen as not being “part of the State of workers and peasants”? To what degree can Stalin’s personality and that of his closest colleagues contribute to our understanding of the reasons for the mass violence on the part of the State? And finally, how and why did Stalin’s Politburo scale down the repression in November 1938

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

Students will be graded as follows: attendance 10%; participation in discussion 10%; oral presentation 20%; written work 60%. The written paper, in the English language, is to be 15-25 pages in length, excluding title page and bibliography. Footnotes are compulsory. The essay should be typed in one and a half spacing, and 12 point.

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

The students will learn about one of the key events in the 20th century and how its full magnitude has become clear only since the collapse of Communism in 1989-91. They are expected to take part in the discussions and learn techniques of debate and written arguments in the English language.

Prüfungsstoff

After 4-5 introductory talks, the students will begin with their oral presentations. The last sitting will centre on an evaluation of the course.

Literatur

See www.univie.ac.at/igl.geschichte/mcloughlin

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

BA12: Seminar BA-Modul 2 (9 ECTS) | BA11: Seminar BA-Modul 2(10 ECTS) | BA UF: Bachelorseminar (8 ECTS);

Letzte Änderung: Mo 07.09.2020 15:30