The Russian Revolution of 1917 and the establishment of the Soviet Union are among the most important and influential events of the twentieth century. Not surprisingly, almost every aspect of the Revolution and the emergence of the Soviet system has aroused intense controversy, from the origins of these events and processes, to their character and the forces driving them, to the nature and meaning of their outcome. The purpose of this seminar is to enable students to explore the sources and process of revolution in early twentieth-century Russia and the controversies the Revolution continues to provoke through both common readings and a substantial independent research project. Class meetings, therefore, will be devoted initially to the discussion of common readings intended to familiarize students with the main aspects and interpretations of the Revolution (defined broadly as the period from roughly 1900 to 1939), and then to helping students with their research. Topics for general discussion will include the prospects for non-revolutionary change prior to 1914; the substance and significance of Marxist-Leninist ideology and Bolshevik political culture; the interplay of social, political, ideological, and cultural forces in shaping the revolution and the new Soviet order; the process of cultural revolution; and the origins and nature of Stalin's "revolution from above" and the "Great Terror" of 1937-1939. Research topics will be chosen by each student in consultation with the instructor and can concern any aspect of Russian history during the revolutionary era. Evaluation will be based on the final research paper, oral presentations in class, and class participation. Although the common readings in the seminar will be in English, the research project will provide an opportunity for students with reading knowledge of Russian to use their language skills if they wish to do so. Enrollment limited to 15. Group B

W. WAGNER