Unit information: Pushkin and Russian Romanticism in 2011/12

Unit name	Pushkin and Russian Romanticism
Unit code	RUSS20037
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Basker
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	RUSS10001 or RUSS10012
Co-requisites	RUSS20008
School/department	Department of Russian
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

An examination of literary works in a variety of genres (lyric and narrative poetry, short story, novel in verse, 'little tragedies') by Pushkin and such of his contemporaries as Lermontov, Odoevskii, Tiutchev and/or Zhukovskii. Works are considered both intrinsically in relation to theme and form, and more broadly in relation to the nature and aspirations of Russian Romanticism and the development of Russian Literature during the earlier part of the 'Classical' period: the second quarter of the nineteenth century, preceding the emergence of the great novelists covered in other Level I (year 2) units. Attention will be paid to the reading in Russian of selected texts, knowledge of which in the original will be tested as part of the unit's assessment.

Aims:

• To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to second year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.

• To facilitate students’ engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.

• To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level C.

• Some options may prepare students for the experience of the Year Abroad.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will:

• be knowledgeable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;

• be skilled in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;

• be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at a high level;

• be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an high level of complexity;

• be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including study at a foreign university and on work placements during the year abroad.

Teaching Information

Normally one lecture hour and one seminar hour per week across one teaching block (22 contact hours), often with student presentations. In units with a smaller number of students the lecture hour may be replaced by a second seminar or a workshop. Units involving film may require students to view films outside the timetabled contact hours.

Assessment Information

One of the following:

a) A written assignment of 2000 words and a two hour exam (50% each)

b) A written assignment of 2000 words (25%) and a three hour exam (75%)

c) Two written assignments of 2000 words (50% each)

d) One written assignment of 4000 words

e) One oral presentation (25%) and one written assignment of 2500 words (75%)