MO3321 Russia - Real and Imagined: Ideas, Identity, and Culture (1800 - 2000)

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tuesday, 1500-1700

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof F M Nethercott

Prof F M Nethercott
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Professor Frances Nethercott

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Situated on the borders of Europe and Asia, Russia has always been an enigma for Western observers and scholars, by turns inspiring admiration as the exotic 'other', and discomfort as the untamed brutish bear. Yet, this conflicting 'sacred/profane' image has been as much a part of intellectual rhetoric in Russia itself, as it has been the cause for divided opinion abroad. As Russian intellectuals thought about their country's cultural (and spiritual) development, past and present, they often did so 'under Western eyes'. Whether critical or indulgent, their views testify to complex inter-relations with European neighbours. With this in mind, we shall explore a number of leitmotifs in Russian intellectual culture, together with the contexts in which these were first elaborated. In addition, we shall identify instances of their recurrence as a 'resource' in late and post-Soviet endeavours to re-articulate the 'authentic' nature of Russian culture.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS AT LEAST 60 CREDITS FROM {MO1007, MO1008, MO2008, HI2001, MH2002}

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 40%, Coursework = 60%

Re-assessment

4,000-word essay = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

278

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.