This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)
Module RUSS1151: INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIAN HISTORY & CULTURE
Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Russian)
RUSS1151: INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIAN HISTORY & CULTURE
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 1 | 20 | Available in 2016/2017 | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- Grade A or above at A-level or equivalent in a foreign European language, or an equivalent qualification.
Corequisites
- Russian Language 1A (RUSS1161) or Russian Language 1B (RUSS1042).
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- This module provides an interdisciplinary introduction to Russian culture which aims to give students an understanding of the historical development of Russia, while at the same time focusing on the major cultural themes of individual periods.
Content
- The course is delivered in four parts: 1. From Kievan Rus to Catherine the Great; 2. The 'Long' Nineteenth Century; 3. The Revolutions of 1917 to the Death of Stalin; and 4. The Death of Stalin to the Present Day.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- 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.
Subject-specific Skills
Key Skills
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.
- Seminars 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
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 21 | Weekly | 1 Hour | 21 | Yes |
| Seminars | 10 | Fortnightly | 1 hour | 10 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 169 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summative Essay | 50% | Summative Essay | 2,000 words | 100% | Yes |
| Examination | 50% | Written Examination | 2 hours | 100% | Yes |
Formative Assessment
At the end of the first term students are expected to write a formative essay of 1500 words as practice for the summative to be submitted at the end of the second term.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.