1. Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
  2. School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
  3. Undergraduate
  4. Modern Languages and History (Russian)

Modern Languages and History (Russian)

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied on your chosen language pathway.

For information on typical modules for History, please check the course page.

These modules may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • World Histories (20 credits) - This module sets out to introduce students to the complexity and diversity of human perspectives on and attitudes to history. Drawing on theories and case studies from around the world, it aims to raise critical awareness of the culturally-inflected assumptions we all bring to our study of the past, and that shape the ways history is written and interpreted in different contexts. The precise syllabus will vary from year to year, but will include opportunities to compare the writing of history in “Western” and “non-Western” cultures, and to look at a series of historical questions from diverse cultural, national and/or regional perspectives. Typical themes might include Diasporas, Time, Conflict, and Nationalism. Students will develop collaborative research skills by applying the concepts and themes introduced in lectures to contexts in which they are particularly interested.

Students with prior knowledge of Russian (B1 CEFR) will be required to study the following modules:

  • Core Russian Language 1 (20 credits) - This module is intended for students with Russian A Level or equivalent. The module is designed to train participants in all aspects of practical language skills, and aims to prepare students for their period of study in Russia by focusing on authentic written and audio-visual material in a variety of registers and styles. Students will develop their written and spoken Russian, as well as their general linguistic skills, through reading and translating authentic texts, creative writing, consolidating and learning new grammar points, and regularly speaking with native speakers on a range of structured topics.

  • What is Russia? An Introduction to Russian Studies (20 credits) - What is Russia? How do Russia's geography, history, language, culture and governance shape its identity? How can we move beyond the Western stereotypes of Churchill's 'riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' or Cold War aggressor to a more sophisticated understanding of this important player in today's globalised world? Covering a wide range of topics relating to contemporary Russian society as well as the historical development of Russia and Russian, this cross-disciplinary module aims to address these questions and is appropriate for students with a general interest in Russia. You will approach the topic through diverse sources and media, including historical documents, literature, visual arts and current affairs, developing skills for a variety of disciplines. No knowledge of Russian language is required, as this module is taught in English.

Students with no prior knowledge of Russian will be required to study the following modules:

  • Beginning Russian 1 ( credits) - Important: places on this course are limited, and will be granted on a first- come, first-serve basis, but only after students for whom Russian is a named part of their degree have been enrolled. Giving students an insight into one of the richest, most interesting and inadequately explored cultures of the world, Beginning Russian 1 is demanding yet rewarding. This module gives you a basic knowledge of the Russian alphabet, vocabulary and grammar, which will be improved upon throughout the semester. Emphasis will be placed on those areas of the language and grammar that are particularly difficult for native speakers of English. Students will also be exposed to authentic Russian through the medium of reading texts and recorded material. Knowledge of Russian affords you a better understanding of the country once described by Churchill as "a riddle enshrined in a mystery and wrapped in an enigma".

  • Beginning Russian 2 ( credits) - Important: places on this course are limited, and will be granted on a first- come, first-serve basis, but only after Russian students for whom Russian is a named part of their degree have been enrolled. Expanding upon the knowledge acquired in Semester 1, this module focuses on the acquisition of a range of essential grammatical constructions and develops students’ speaking and writing skills in preparation for the Year Abroad. All aspects of the language will be developed further, enabling students to progress along the path to the bright future that knowledge of the language offers.

  • What is Russia? An Introduction to Russian Studies (20 credits) - What is Russia? How do Russia's geography, history, language, culture and governance shape its identity? How can we move beyond the Western stereotypes of Churchill's 'riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' or Cold War aggressor to a more sophisticated understanding of this important player in today's globalised world? Covering a wide range of topics relating to contemporary Russian society as well as the historical development of Russia and Russian, this cross-disciplinary module aims to address these questions and is appropriate for students with a general interest in Russia. You will approach the topic through diverse sources and media, including historical documents, literature, visual arts and current affairs, developing skills for a variety of disciplines. No knowledge of Russian language is required, as this module is taught in English.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Russian Year Abroad (120 credits)

Year 3

Compulsory modules

  • Core Russian Language 2 (20 credits) - This module is the core language component of Level 2 of degree programmes in Russian and is for students who have successfully completed residence abroad in Russia. It is taught through three weekly practical language classes. These comprise a grammar workshop and two seminars in which students will develop their oral proficiency and writing skills. Students will practise discussion and presentation skills to encourage active verbal communication as well as guided essay writing for successful written communication.

Optional modules

  • Applied Russian Language 2 (20 credits)

  • The Structures of Russian (20 credits)

  • Gender and Sexuality in Russia (20 credits)

Year 4

Compulsory modules

  • Core Russian Language 3 (20 credits) - The module will involve 3 contact hours of Russian per week. The module will use an integrated approach to teaching language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in a variety of communicative situations, types of texts and registers. The module will be structured around complex grammar phenomena and topic related issues. We will cover on average 5-6 topics per year.The use of material organised around a range of diverse topics will broaden students' vocabulary and cultural awareness. On completion of this module, students should be able to:- demonstrate sophisticated receptive and productive language skills;- show a consolidated and extended knowledge and understanding of complex structures and registers in Russian;- communicate fluently and appropriately with a high degree of grammatical accuracy in Russian;- demonstrate a broad vocabulary and cultural awareness.

  • Final Year Project - Dissertation, Extended Translation, or Digital Documentary (e.g. Podcast) (40 credits) - This may be produced in either English or, subject to the approval of the Module Leader and project supervisor, the Target Language. Lectures and workshops provide the skills training necessary, whereas more specific guidance is provided through one to one supervision with a member of staff.

Optional modules

  • Russian Advanced Translation (20 credits)

  • The Structures of Russian (20 credits)

  • Gender and Sexuality in Russia (20 credits)

  • Urban Realities and Representations in the Portuguese Speaking World (20 credits)

  • Representing the Holocaust: Transgression and the Taboo (20 credits)

  • Contemporary World Literature (20 credits)

  • Material Cultures and Cultures of Consumption (20 credits)

  • Adventures of the Imagination: Crime and the Fantastic Across Continents (20 credits)

  • Decolonial Approaches (20 credits)

  • Social Movements across Cultures (20 credits)

  • Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present (20 credits)

  • Linguists into Schools (20 credits)