Unit name | Foreigners in Russian Society |
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Unit code | RUSS20011 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Chitnis |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Russian |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This course will survey the role of foreigners in Russian society over a considerable period of time (from the seventeenth to the first half of the twentieth century). During this period, in some fields, foreigners were in a majority in Russia (for example, during the age of Enlightenment, in academic research, higher education and private teaching, engineering, etc.). It will be shown how Russian specialists appeared in different fields very often with the help of foreign specialists. The unit will focus on the process of cultural transfer in Europe, changing Russian policy towards the presence and the control of foreigners in Russia and the connection of this policy with the evolution of Russian national consciousness, the international situation and official ideology. We will explore both the breaks and continuity in Russian history regarding the invitation and the reception of foreigners in Russia. We will also study the role of foreigners as witnesses to the evolution of Russian society and the reaction that their views caused in Russia.
This unit will give the students a good insight into Russian history from the seventeenth to the twentieth century and provide an important link between the histories of Russian thought and Russian literature. The students will reach a better understanding of how the circulation of specialists and information influences the evolution of culture and society. They will learn to analyze primary and secondary sources, to develop their argumentation and their communicating skills.
a) 2000-word essay plus 2-hour exam (equally weighted) Each assessment will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of modern literature and history. They will be required to analyse closely a selection of the primary material studied and through detailed study enhance their familiarity with the language of the texts.
a) 2000-word essay plus 2-hour exam (equally weighted) Each assessment will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of modern literature and history. They will be required to analyse closely a selection of the primary material studied and through detailed study enhance their familiarity with the language of the texts.