Bachelor
2024/2025
The Caucasus: History between East and West
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Elective course (History)
Area of studies:
History
Delivered by:
Department of History
When:
5 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Instructors:
Pietro Annanias Shakarian
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
5
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Situated between the Black and Caspian Seas, the Caucasus is a place where East meets West, a juncture where multiple faiths, languages, and nationalities collide. Its peoples have endowed the world with rich contributions to culture and art, while its strategic location has often placed it at the heart of Great Power intrigues, from the Persians and the Byzantines to the Russians and the Turks. This course examines this land of storied histories, mountainous landscapes, ethnic conflicts, and geopolitical entanglements. Its scope is largely focused on the 18th century to the present day but will also provide background on the rise of the region’s distinctive ethnic and national identities from earlier centuries. Students will critically explore the consequential historical events and processes that shaped the Caucasus, with special attention placed on the entrance of Russia into the region. They will also learn about the actors behind these pivotal events – from saints and shahs to tsars and revolutionaries to commanders and commissars.
Learning Objectives
- The primary objective of the course will be to develop the ability to independently and critically analyze the history of the Caucasus region, with a focus on the evolution of national identities and the importance of geography in imperial and geopolitical competition. The course materials and lectures will provide the basis for developing these skills.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Explain the motives and causes for major events in the history of the region.
- Analyze and describe the most important episodes in the history of the Caucasus.
- Critically evaluate source materials and historical literature.
- Investigate and synthesize primary and secondary sources.
- Conceptualize problems and questions from different perspectives.
- Develop and deliver oral presentations and enhance communication skills.
Course Contents
- Course Introduction
- From Urartu to Rome
- Christianization, Alphabets, Identity Formation
- Between Persia and Byzantium
- Mongols, Seljuks, Ottomans, Safavids
- The Russian Expansion into the Caucasus
- The Caucasus Under the Tsars
- Late Imperial Caucasus
- Between World War and Civil War
- Sovietization and NEP
- Stalinism and the Second World War
- Late Stalinism and the Khrushchev Thaw
- The Caucasus from Brezhnev to Gorbachev
- The Post-Soviet Caucasus: National Conflicts and New Challenges
Assessment Elements
- Class ParticipationClass participation is an integral part of the learning process and attendance is essential. All absences must be excused, though students are permitted one free unexcused “cut.” Additional unexcused absences will result in the lowering of a student’s final score. Students are expected to attend class on time, and to demonstrate their understanding of the topics by participating in class discussions and class activities. Late attendance disrupts the learning. If the student arrives more than 10 minutes late, he or she will be marked absent. Excessive and loud talking during the class is very disruptive and will result in a significant reduction of participation points. Your classmates are taking this class to learn. Please show them (and the professor!) common courtesy and do not talk during the class!
- QuizzesTwo intermittent quizzes will be administered to assess students’ knowledge. These two quizzes will be comprised of multiple-choice and short answer questions derived from the readings, lecturers, and class discussions. Study guides for these quizzes will be provided by the professor.
- Primary Source AnalysisStudents will work in groups to develop a presentation on a primary source document of their choice related to a historical figure from the course, as derived from a list provided by the professor. The presentation will include an in-depth analytical discussion about the document and its historical contexts. The purpose of the primary source analysis is to develop the ability of the students to analyze and interpret sources and to think critically. This project will also enhance the ability of the students to work cooperatively with one another. Student performance within these groups will be evaluated individually.
- FinalThe final exam is a research paper (approximately 2000-2500 words, excluding footnotes) covering a topic suggested by the student and approved by the professor. The paper should be in MS Word (.docx) format and must be uploaded to the “Projects” section of LMS and sent to the professor’s university email address. The final counts for 35% of your grade . The paper should follow a standard format (typed, black ink, 12 font such as Times Roman (or Sylfaen), double-spaced, 1” margins), and should have a title, an abstract/introduction, a thesis, supporting paragraphs (body text), a conclusion and bibliography. All citations must be formatted in Chicago/Turabian style. The rubric will be issued in the coming weeks.
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 2nd module0.15 * Class Participation + 0.35 * Final + 0.2 * Primary Source Analysis + 0.3 * Quizzes
