Course Catalogue

Russian 20th Century Visual Culture RUSSIAN4002

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Modern Languages and Cultures
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course will provide students with knowledge of the Russian visual arts and contemporary visual

environment with its semiotics and encoded social values. Visual culture makes up a significant part of a particular national culture or civilisation and encodes the main values and attitudes of the people and state, which for understanding Russia with her dramatic history is particularly significant.

Timetable

20 1-hour seminars at days and times to be arranged.

Requirements of Entry

Confirmed acceptance on to one of the SMLC Honours programmes.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Essay (2000 words) (50%)

■ Essay (2000 words) (50%)

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the Essay, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

The course aims to:
1) provide students with a wide knowledge of the 20th century Russian visual environment and an understanding of its complex semiotics and encoded social values
2) give students a background knowledge of the history of visual culture in Russia using examples such as the icon.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of the course students will be able to:
1) explain the contribution of key figures to the Russian avant-garde of 1910s-1920s and the doctrine of socialist realism of 1930s-1950s
2) illustrate the development of the Russian poster (with reference to specific cultural artefacts)
3) identify key trends in art-photography in Russia
4) relate visual material to the every-day visual environment in the USSR and modern Russia
5) analyse visual material against a wider Russian political and cultural background.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions