Stalinism (HIST30076)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Availability
Semester 1
FeesLook up fees

The years of Joseph Stalin’s rule (1928-1953) were the most violent in Soviet history. They have inspired one of the most controversial, varied and interesting discussions in the history of the twentieth century. Did 'Stalinism' form a system in its own right or was it a mere stage in the overall development of Soviet society? Was it an aberration from Leninism or the logical conclusion of Marxism? Was its violence the revenge of the Russian past or the result of a revolutionary mindset? Was Stalinism the work of a madman or the product of social forces beyond his control? Could it have been avoided? Could the Soviets have won the Second World War without Stalin’s ‘Revolution from Above’? What was it like to live under Stalin? What did we learn from the opening of the archives after the breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991?

This seminar-based subject explores the answers historians and other social scientists have given to these questions. It analyses the political, moral, and emotional undercurrents of these debates. It introduces students not only to the state of historical research on the Stalin years, but also to the history of contemporary debates on Stalinism. This subject is part of the suggested pathway ‘political and international history’ which majors may follow, if they have a special interest in political and international history. It is also open to all other interested students.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to: 

  • Apply deep and nuanced knowledge of the current state of historical research on the Stalin years of Soviet history (1928-1953)
  • Analyse the complex contributions of a developing source base, the changing political context, and evolving historical methodologies to our understanding of the Stalinist past
  • Identify the complex factors driving changes in historical research
  • Engage with historical debate and write about it in clear and precise language.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to: 

  • Develop critical and analytical skills, including argument identification and source analysis
  • Communicate effectively in written and oral forms
  • Engage with real world of ideas and problems
  • Conduct an independent research effort and construct an evidence-based argument.

Last updated: 12 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 12 April 2025

Assessment

Semester 1

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Online multiple choice quiz (12 quizzes overall)

  • 600 words
From Week 2 to Week 1315%

Review of a scholarly journal article, putting it into its historical context

  • 1500 words
Week 635%

Historiographical essay on readings and discussions of the entire subject

  • 1900 words
During the examination period50%
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. N/A

Last updated: 12 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    CoordinatorOleg Beyda
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours24 hours: 1 x 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025
    Last self-enrol date14 March 2025
    Census date31 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025
    Assessment period ends27 June 2025

    Semester 1 contact information

    Dr Oleg Beyda: oleg.beyda@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 12 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 12 April 2025