This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
From its Christianization in 988 through the early Bolshevik years, we will journey in this course through the colorful history of Imperial Russia and discover the intrigue of its tsars, the strengths of its religion and history, and the astonishing beauty of its culture (via music, art, dance, theater, and architecture).
Total classes: 12
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th
Suggested credit: One full semester History, Russian History, or Fine Arts
Description
From its Christianization in 988 through the early Bolshevik years, we will journey in this course through the colorful history of Imperial Russia and discover the intrigue of its tsars, the strengths of its religion and history, and the astonishing beauty of its culture (via music, art, dance, theater, and architecture).
Outline
Russia and the West
Orthodox Music and Art
The Rurik Dynasty
The Early Romanovs
The Tsarina’s of the 18th Century
The Accomplishments of Catherine the Great
Napoleonic Russia / Romanticization of Folk Art
Pushkin
The Golden Age
Russian Realism
Final Flowering of Imperial Russia and the Avant-Garde
End of Tsarist Russia
Materials and Homework
Course Materials:
1. The study materials for this course are found within Dr. Reynolds’ website. Students of “Imperial Russia” must register there to access the pre-recorded lectures (one hour each) for each unit of this 12-unit course, as well as the assignments, lists of terms, quizzes, and exams. http://www.professorcarol.com/homeschool-connections-courses/. A code will be provided that allows HSC students a significant discount for these materials. The code (hsc2019ir) is currently active and will assist your purchase of the Circle of Scholars subscription (1/2 price = $30 for 4 months).
2.Useful for the course also is a supplementary text Susanne Massie. Land of the Firebird. Heart tree Press, 1980 that covers Russian cultural history from the 9th century through the Bolshevik Revolution. Copies are available widely, including in libraries and as used copies in paperback and hard copy. Click on the title for more information about ordering.
Homework:
In addition to the required pre-recorded class lectures, to be watched in advance of each HSC class, each unit contains review materials and a homework assignment that reinforces and expands the class lectures and sessions. These assignments are rich in visual images, music, and clips from historical documentaries. Approximate time needed for this course:1 hour per each unit’s class lecture; assignments and individual review, 1 to 2 hours per unit; 1 hour for the HSC group session (pre-recorded on the HSC site). Students may also allow between 1 and 2 hours weekly for the recommended readings in Land of the Firebird.
