Unit information: Russian Drama in 2010/11

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Unit name Russian Drama
Unit code RUSS20042
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Beumers
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of Russian
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit explores the chief Russian plays of the 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Griboedov's Woe from Wit; Ostrovsky's comedies; Gogol's Satires (The Government Inspector, The Marriage), Turgenev's A Month in the Country; Chekhov's major dramas (The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters) and the plays of Mikhail Bulgakov and Nikolai Erdman. These works are studies in the context of 19th century thought, culture, history and social developments. Their impact on Russian theatre and their performances histories are considered where relevant.

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%)

Reading and References

Nikolai Gogol’: The Government Inspector 1836 (OR The Marriage 1842)

Ivan Turgenev: A Month in the Country; 1855

Alexander Ostrovsky: The Storm 1860

Anton Chekhov: The Seagull, 1895 AND The Cherry Orchard 1904

Maxim Gorky: Lower Depths 1902 (OR Summer Folks 1903 OR Vassa Zheleznova 1905)

Mikhail Bulgakov: Zoya’s Apartment (1926-35)

Nikolai Erdman: Suicide 1928 OR Mayakovsky: Bedbug (1929)

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