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070527 SE Seminar (2011S)

The Great Terror in the USSR, 1936-1938

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 7 - Geschichte

Continuous assessment of course work

Die LV beginnt PÜNKTLICH

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).

Registration is open from Fr 18.02.2011 06:00 to Mo 28.02.2011 23:59
Registration is open from Mo 14.03.2011 06:00 to We 16.03.2011 23:59
Deregistration possible until Fr 01.04.2011 23:59

Details

max. 25 participants

Language: English

Lecturers

Finbarr McLoughlin

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Wednesday 09.03. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 16.03. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 23.03. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 30.03. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 06.04. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 13.04. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 04.05. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 11.05. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 18.05. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 25.05. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 01.06. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 08.06. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 15.06. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 22.06. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10
Wednesday 29.06. 18:00 - 19:30 Seminarraum Geschichte 1 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 10

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

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

Assessment and permitted materials

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, excluding title page and bibliography. Footnotes are compulsory. The essay should be typed in one and a half spacing, and 12 point.The last date for accepting written work is 30.11.2011.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

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.

Examination topics

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

Reading list

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

Association in the course directory

Lehramt Vertiefung 2 (6 ECTS); MA Osteuropäische Geschichte: Vertiefung 1+2 ( 6 ECTS); MA Zeitgeschichte Vertiefung 1+2 ( 6 ECTS) BA Modul 2 ( 10 ECTS); Diplomstudium: P2 Seminar; MA Geschichte: Vertiefung 2 - Späte Neuzeit (6 ECTS);

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:31