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2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLAV3112 Gender Identity in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia

20 creditsClass Size: 16

Module manager: Sarah Hudspith
Email: s.hudspith@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2014/15

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of Level 2

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Sex and gender are key human notions taken for granted. This module attempts to unpack the political and often contested nature of these concepts in relation to Soviet and post-Soviet culture. - How did gender politics operate in the communist state? How were gender identities encoded in a society that celebrated equality of various kinds? - How was gender used as an alternative platform for self-expression?- What is the effect of the social revolution of the 1990s on the gender politics of post-Soviet Russia? - How is the 'Russian bride' perceived at home and abroad?- What is the role of Russian literature, film and media in the construction of gender identities? These are some of the big questions this module attempts to tackle. These issues will be approached from a historical perspective with a large amount of time spent on contextualizing gender politics. The specific focus of the module will be on representation of gender in literature and film, such as the award-winning production Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears (Oscar in 1979). No knowledge of Russian is required. Necessary Russian terms will be properly introduced in the course of the module.

Objectives

The module introduces key concepts pertaining to the theory of gender and explores them in the context of Soviet and post-Soviet culture, focusing on the transformation of gender caused by the social turmoil of the 1990s. While providing a general theoretical framework, the module focuses on the function of gender models in a totalitarian and post-totalitarian cultural context.

The main objective of the module is to enable students to analyse and discuss the issues of gender identity in a specific cultural context and in relation to literary, cinematic and media texts. The use of recent and current literature in the field will enable students to appreciate the link between research in the field and their own learning.

Learning outcomes
At the end of the module the students will have knowledge of:
- the main theoretical concepts of gender
- the evolution of concept of gender in the USSR and Russia in the 20th and 21st centuries
- the role of state and alternative cultural institutions, primarily literature and film, in construction of gender identities in the USSR and Russian Federation
- key figures responsible for (de)construction of Soviet gender; and
- the cultural discourse surrounding the issue of gender in contemporary Russia.

Skills outcomes
At the end of the module, the students will be able to:

a) discuss the concepts of gender in application to specific cultural contexts;
b) analyse cultural texts (primarily literature and film) from the point of view of their representation of gender issues;
c) apply a range of gender theories to specific cultural texts;
d) enhance their specific knowledge of Russia and Russian society and extend their ability to analyse that society in its Soviet and post-Soviet forms.

Syllabus

The module will commence with a series of introductory lectures focusing on the cultural traditions of misogyny, rise of feminism and gender studies. Key theoretical concepts will be introduced and cultural phenomena defined (binarism, essentialism, hierarchies, etc) .

A historical perspective of the USSR will be provided (post-Revolutionary vs Stalinist eras, consequences of WWII). Special attention will be given to the construction of new gender identities in the stagnation period, including the divide between the official regulations and claims (as presented in the Soviet Constitution) and the lived reality (reflected in literature and film).

The course begins by providing theoretical underpinnings and drawing parallels between gender and the militarization of national discourse. Thereafter literary texts will be analysed; the second semester investigates the issue of gender in relation to film.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Preparation for classes 3 x 20 = 60 hours
- Preparation for essays - 120 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be monitored in the following ways:
- Feedback on January essay
- participation in class room discussions.

Preparation for weekly classes is mandatory and requires a study of theoretical issues as well as literary and cinematic texts.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 words	40.00
Essay	4,000 words	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Essay due in during January exam period

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/03/2015

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