Course Details in 2023/24 Session

Module Title	LC Russia Unwrapped: Cultures, Contexts, Identities A
School	Lan, Cult, Art Hist & Music
Department	Modern Languages
Module Code	09 35109
Module Lead	Isobel Palmer
Level	Certificate Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites	LC Russia Unwrapped: Cultures, Contexts, Identities B - (09 35110)
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-5 hours Seminar-10 hours Guided independent study-85 hours Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description	Russia is the biggest country in the world and one of the most talked about. Yet although Western news outlets pay close attention to Russia’s international activities, they tell us less about the country and the people behind the headlines. This broad, introductory module goes beyond the stereotypes to offer a closer look at what Russia is like and why. From key figures like Peter the Great to pivotal events such as the 1917 Revolution and perestroika, from Russian Orthodoxy to punk performance, from historical documents to architecture, music, painting, and literary texts, the module examines the central moments and cultural monuments that have shaped Russian identity and society over the course of its history. This module (A) will focus on historical and cultural issues from medieval period to the end of the nineteenth century and their relevance for understanding contemporary Russia. This module is aimed at 1st-year students with no prior knowledge of Russian culture or language.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Identify key moments in cultural history from early Russia to the end of the nineteenth century and explain why they are significant; interpret key cultural texts and explain their significance to Russian history; analyse the way in which Russian culture intersects with history, politics and society; demonstrate a broad understanding of how cultural texts dramatise or explicitly interpret the Russian experience as particular to the development of Russian identity.
Assessment	35109-01 : 2,000 word essay in English : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 2,000 word Essay in English (100%). Reassessment: Resubmission of failed element(s) in the Supplementary session.
Other
Reading List