University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: TBC

This module is designed to build on the knowledge of Russian literature acquired at sub-honours and honours level and, more specifically, to explore utopian and dystopian ideas in Russian culture as they have developed from the 19th to the 21st Century. Literary works by canonical Russian writers will be studied, including works by Fyodor Dostoevskii, Evgeny Zamiatin, Andrei Platonov and Vladimir Makanin. Students will also be encouraged to critically reassess the canon and to examine utopian thinking though a range of cultural mediums, including art, theatre, architecture and cinema, in which a greater plurality of voices, genders and ethnicities are represented. The module asks students to engage critically with utopian/dystopian concepts and to question their role in shaping societies and identities. There will be an opportunity for students to produce their own utopian or dystopian-inspired piece of creative work (i.e. prose, poetry, film etc.), assessed by a reflective commentary.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Entry to Honours Russian

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1-hour lectures (6 weeks), 1 hour seminars (11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 32

Guided independent study hours: 116

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: 3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr J D S Gardiner
Module teaching staff: Dr Jesse Gardiner
Module coordinator email jdsg@st-andrews.ac.uk