Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

• Articulate and interpret an understanding of key historical facts and events in Russian history from the rise of Kiev to the reign of Catherine the Great.
• Identify the influence of culturally based practices, values, and beliefs to analyze how historically defined meanings of difference affect human behavior.
• Identify and investigate historical theses, evaluate information and its sources, and use appropriate reasoning to construct evidence-based arguments on historical issues.
• Construct a well organized historical argument using effective, appropriate, and accurate language.

Assess by using any combination of the following:

• Exams
• Essays
• Oral presentations
• Research projects
• Book critiques
• Service Learning
• Class participation and discussion
• Other creative assignments

Competencies and Skills:

Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources:

• Connect evidence to its relevant historical context
• Analyze and evaluate written, artistic, or other evidence
• Assess the motivation and purpose of evidence

Evaluate different interpretations of past events and construct your own interpretation:

• Identify a historian’s thesis and supporting evidence
• Evaluate the arguments used to support different interpretations of historical issues
• Develop your own thesis and historical interpretation and use evidence to support it

Think critically about the relationship between past and present events and issues:

• Recognize and identify historical roots and parallels to current issues

Compare and contrast the experience of diverse groups in society:

• Listen to and appreciate the experience of students from a variety of  backgrounds
• Assess the contributions and experiences of various groups in society

Demonstrate college-level communications skills with an emphasis on writing (and may include listening and speaking):

• Communicate effectively in writing about a historical topic
• Communicate in writing an understanding of historical process and an evaluation of how concepts or values change over time

Clearly articulate thoughts and ideas to a particular audience which may include:

• Working collaboratively with other students to evaluate and understand historical events
• Working collaboratively with others in discussions, debate, or role plays
• Presenting information in oral presentations

Themes, Concepts, Issues:

• Russia’s geography and peoples
• Social, economic, political, and cultural life of the Kievan Rus
• The decline of Kiev and the role of other political centers

• The influence and impact of the Mongol invasion
• The rise of Muscovy and its role in the development of  Russia
• Social, economic, political and cultural life of Moscovy
• Role of various leaders in the evolution of the Russian system
• The role of the orthodox Church in the development of Russian social, political, and cultural life
• The political unification of Russia and the role Ivan III and Ivan IV
• The “Time of Troubles” and its consequences on the future development of Russia
• The reforms of Peter the Great and their impact on Russia
• Social, political, and economic structures in the 1700s
• Catherine the Great and the Enlightenment Era