Russian imperial history from Peter the Great to Bolshevik Revolution: 1700-1917. Focus on formation and governance of multiethnic and multiconfessional Russian empire. Traces expansion of land-locked city state (Muscovy) into world power ruling from Eastern Europe to Alaska. Questions implications of Russia's world-power status. Examines institutions of governance that created this empire and held its various ethnic, religious and ideological groups together for centuries. Readings of English translations of works of Russian literature and historiographic analyses aimed at developing a sound grounding in Russian imperial history and culture.
