LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objective of the course is to equip students with a basic knowledge of both the history of Russia from the Ninth century to the present day and of the history of Eastern Europe, especially in the modern and contemporary age.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Enrolling on the course will give students the opportunity to gain a general knowledge of the history and the culture of Russia and Eastern Europe from the Ninth century to the present day. Particular attention will be paid to the processes of cultural, economic, institutional, political and social transformation of the Russian Empire, of the Soviet Union and of today's Russia.

The goal is to provide students with a detailed picture of the historical, political, economic, social and cultural situation of Eastern Europe (up to the present day). Particular regard will be paid to the role which Russia played in this area over the centuries . On the one hand, the course will examine the progressive emergence of Russian power in Eastern Europe, a process which started from Peter the Great; on the other hand, it will analyse the problems which arose from this rapid ascension: a fact that influences, perhaps even today, many aspects of European policy.

At the end of the course students will be able to orient themselves in the specific realities and the culture of Eastern Europe and Russia and in the context of the historical period examined during the lectures; they will acquire the specific technical language of the discipline and be able to demonstrate the knowledge of the political, social, economic and cultural events and dynamics of the history of Tsarist Russia, of the Soviet Union and of present day  Russia. More specifically, students will have gained an adequate understanding of the methods adopted in the analysis and in the interpretation of the great processes of Russian and Soviet history and culture, seen both from an internal and an  international perspective, from the beginning up to the present time;  they will, finally, acquire a basic knowledge of the main historiographical debates dealing with  the main topics of the course.

PREREQUISITES

A basic knowledge of European history and culture is desirable to effectively address the teaching content

TEACHING METHODS

University lectures given by the professor, in-class presentations.

The lessons will be held in person.

Students will be supported in their learning by teaching materials and resources related to the lectures and made available on  a website (Aulaweb).

For students with learning disabilities/dsa it is recommended to contact the teacher, copying the sector dsa@segreterie.unige.it o disabili@segreterie.unige.it

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will be divided into two parts:

- The first part will address the general long-term historical themes, which are essential for understanding the specific realities of Eastern Europe in the period examined during the lectures.

- The second part will be focused on the role played by the Russian Empire, then by the Soviet Union and finally by Russia in European and Eastern European history. More specifically, this part will deal with political, social, institutional and cultural issues. Namely:  the formation of the Russian state, the migration of populations, social and economic reforms, the revolts, the balance of international politics and diplomacy.

- a part of the course will be dedicated to imperial period and to the social and cultural history (literature, painting, cinema, architecture) of the Russian Empire

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reading list for students for whom this course is worth 6 ECTS

Attending students:

A book chosen from the following:

P. Bushkovitch, Breve storia della Russia. Dalle origini a Putin, Einaudi, Torino, 2013

Giulia Lami, Storia dell'Europa orientale. Da Napoleone alla fine della prima guerra mondiale, Le Monnier, Milano, 2019.

In addition, the student is required to show a good understanding of the problems of Russian history and culture dealt with in:

Marco Natalizi, Caterina di Russia, Salerno Editrice, Roma, 2021

Non-attending students:

Non-attending students are asked to contact the teacher to agree on the inclusion of an additional text in addition to those provided for in the program.

For students with learning disabilities/dsa it is recommended to contact the teacher, copying the sector dsa@segreterie.unige.it o disabili@segreterie.unige.it

Reading list for students for whom this course is worth 9 ECTS

Attending students:

A book chosen from the following:

P. Bushkovitch, Breve storia della Russia. Dalle origini a Putin, Einaudi, Torino, 2013

Giulia Lami, Storia dell'Europa orientale. Da Napoleone alla fine della prima guerra mondiale, Le Monnier, Milano, 2019.

With

Marco Natalizi, Caterina di Russia, Salerno Editrice, Roma, 2021

In addition, the student is required to show a good understanding of the problems of Russian history dealt with in:

Marco Natalizi, Il burattinaio dell'ultimo Zar. Grigorij Rasputin, Salerno editrice, Roma, 2016

Non-attending students:

Non-attending students are asked to contact the teacher to agree on the inclusion of an additional text in addition to those provided for in the program.

For students with learning disabilities/dsa it is recommended to contact the teacher, copying the sector dsa@segreterie.unige.it o disabili@segreterie.unige.it