Universität Wien

070262 SE Seminar (PM4) (2016W)

Great Terror in the Soviet Union 1936-1939

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 7 - Geschichte
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 12.10. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 19.10. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 09.11. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 16.11. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 23.11. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 30.11. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 07.12. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 14.12. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 11.01. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 18.01. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1
  • Wednesday 25.01. 16:30 - 18:00 Seminarraum 1, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, 1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Inhalt:
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

Ziele

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.

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

Assessment and permitted materials

Leistungskontrolle
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 pages in length (25 for BA), excluding title page and bibliography. Footnotes are compulsory. The essay should be typed in one and a half spacing, and 12 point.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Two unexcused absences lead to self-expulsion from the seminar

Examination topics

Reading list

To be sent by e-mail

Association in the course directory

MA Geschichte 14: SE aus Geschichte im Pflichtmodul 4 (6 ECTS) | Diplom UF Geschichte: Seminar zu Wirtschafts- und Sozialgeschichte, Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Europaforschung, Osteuropäische Geschichte (6 ECTS) | MA Globalgeschichte: Seminar Vertiefung 1 (6 ECTS)

Last modified: Th 29.10.2020 00:18