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PL20781: Russian culture and society from Chekhov to the death of Stalin

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 33%, ES 67%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 33%)
  • Essay (ES 67%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The aim of this unit is to introduce Year 2 students to some key literary texts and films produced from the 1880s to 1953, and to provide an overview of cultural developments in this period in their historical and socio-political context. Further aims are to help students improve their skills in literary criticism and cultural analysis, their essay and seminar techniques, and their ability to read and understand complex modern texts in Russian.

Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete the unit successfully will:
* have a clear understanding of the historical development of Russian culture and society from the late Tsarist period to the death of Stalin;
* be familiar with the major academic debates about the nature of Russian and Soviet culture and critical views of individual writers and film directors;
* have studied in depth some major literary texts and films;
* have improved their Russian vocabulary, grammar and translation skills;
* have improved their skills in the analysis and criticism of Russian literature and film;
* have shown they can present an effective analysis of a particular author, work or general theme to a seminar and in essay form.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken English, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning and language skills are developed in this unit.

Content:
Significant figures (studied in key texts): Chekhov, Blok, Zoshchenko, Olesha, Akhmatova; films by Eisenstein.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL20781 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB09 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB07 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB22 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA(Hons) Russian ab inito and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 2)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.