HIS 241
Primary Chronicle Paragraph Assignment

 

 

 

Baptism of Prince Vladimir (1890) by Viktor Vasnetsov (1848-1926).  Sketch for a fresco that is in the Cathedral of St. Vladimir in Kiev.  (Vasnetsov did most of the interior painting/frescoes in this late nineteenth-century cathedral.)

Source: http://www.unn.runnet.ru/pic/museum/kresch.jpg
 
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Read the Russian Primary Chronicle excerpts.  Be sure to review the remarks by Professor Evans on Kievan Rus' and to check the document notes.  Read also what Melissa Lauderdale has written about Perun, and what Lara Brandes has written about St. Andrew.  Both Lara and Melissa were students in my history courses. Answer the following question in a paragraph:

Citing specific evidence from the Primary Chronicle excerpts (not from the textbook), what were some of the main features of the political system (or lack thereof) of Kievan Rus'? 

Your paragraph should be about one-half page in length, double-spaced with one-inch margins, font size 10 or 12; it should contain a concise topic sentence that directly responds to the assigned question (no need to define terms or cite a dictionary) and use direct, quoted material to support your points.  You may consider submitting a draft of your assignment to your instructor for feedback before submitting the assignment for a grade. Please send some specific questions that you would like answered about your draft. The questions can be general or specific.

This assignment calls for analysis of this important historical document. Do not just write a paragraph in which you repeat what is stated in the Chronicle; you should write your paragraph explaining how the information in the Chronicle can be interpreted to support your thesis (your answer to the assignment question). You my also wish to look at the Sample Historical Document Analysis, if you have not yet done so.

 
Your assignment should be sent to your course instructor following the directions for submitting assignments.
 
Please take a moment to review Charlie's History Writing Center for specific information on the writing requirements for the assignments in the course.

 

 

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