Module RUSS1151: INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIAN CULTURE

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (Russian)

RUSS1151: INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIAN CULTURE

Prerequisites

• An A-level pass in a foreign language.

Corequisites

• Modern Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: Russian Language 1A (RUSS1161) or Russian Language 1B (RUSS1042). Others: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The module aims to give students an interdisciplinary overview of Russian culture, by examining the major factors which have shaped its development, as manifested in its extraordinary artistic achievements.

Content

• The module provides an interdisciplinary introduction to Russian culture, which aims to give students an understanding of the factors which have shaped its extraordinary development.
• The focus will be on major themes, such as the Icon and Russian Orthodoxy, Moscow and St Petersburg, the Russian intelligentsia, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and the Russian literary tradition, Tchaikovsky and the "Imperial" style, the Ballets Russes and the creation of Russian cultural identity, Malevich and the Russian Avant-Garde, Shostakovich and Russian culture under Stalin.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will:
• acquire a familiarity with the basic outline of Russian cultural history and be able to identify and define distinguishing features and key concepts,
• become familiar with some of the masterpieces of Russian art, literature and music.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will provide information relating to the themes and works under discussion and to their historical and cultural context.
• Coursework in the form of essays will enable students to acquire skills in analysis and develop their own ideas.
• Tutorials will give students the opportunity to engage in detailed discussion of topics studied.
• A final examination will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of key concepts and themes, of artistic movements, and of individual works.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University