Content of Learning Activity

Q1 = 2 hours/week = 2 ECTS credits.
Open to M1 and M2 students.Discover some of the major literary, philosophical, cinematographic, pictorial and musical works of the post-Soviet space and the Slavic worlds, put into perspective in their historical, political, religious and social contexts. In doing so, this five-module option will give you some keys to understanding the war that has been tearing Europe apart since 24 February 2022.Module 1 ‘God and Caesar: Orthodoxy and temporal power’ 6 hours
The Kremlin aims to defend traditional values, which it believes have been lost by the ‘decadent’ West in general and “GayEvropa” in particular. Attachment to ‘traditional family values’ and spirituality is at the heart of this project. We will take an in-depth look at the history of Orthodox Christianity, its porosity with temporal power, and the key events that have marked Russia's evolution from this angle of analysis. The country's other minority religions will also be presented. The aim is to provide tools for understanding some of the current differences between Russia, Ukraine and the ‘collective West’, as well as to identify certain channels of propaganda. With Anne Godart.Module 2 ‘Major cinematographic works from the (post)Soviet space’ 6 hours
Discover and analyse some essential works of Russian and Soviet cinema, reflecting their socio-political contexts. With Daria Balandina.Module 3 ‘The Caucasus, a strategic crossroads between East and West’ 6 hours
The Caucasus has always held a deep fascination for humans. Legend has it that it was on one of its mountains that Prometheus was chained, condemned by the gods to have his liver continually devoured by the Eagle of the Caucasus for stealing fire from Olympus and giving it to humans. It was also in the opulent Colchis, on the shores of the Black Sea, that Jason and the Argonauts went to seize the Golden Fleece - a symbol of fortune. Through myths, pagan legends, epics and pictorial works, we will retrace the fiery and bloody past of this region to better understand its current geostrategic issues. With Anne Delizée.Module 4 ‘Panorama of contemporary Russian literature: the end of a bright future?’ 6 hours
After a brief review of the characteristics of Russian and Soviet literature, we will read and enjoy some contemporary writers to get an overview of this literature and analyse its evolution in light of the events that are shaking this part of Europe. With Nicolas Stuyckens.Module 5 ‘Russia today VS the West: the tensions of the past and the haunting ghosts of the present’ 6 hours
In 1880, the Russians inaugurated their first monument to Alexander Pushkin, an event that brought together Russia's intellectual elite of the time. Speeches by Ivan Turgenev, leader of the ‘Westernisers’, and Fyodor Dostoevsky, voice of the ‘Slavophiles’, were eagerly awaited. Speculation was rife. Which movement of ideas would prevail? Would Russia recognise its proximity to European nations, or would it prefer to refocus on its newly discovered national identity? More than 140 years later, this debate continues to stir minds, fuel discussions, feed propaganda and sow doubt among Russian intellectuals. In this module, find answers to the major geostrategic questions of the present day by learning from the lessons of the past. With Olga Gortchanina.

Required Learning Resources/Tools

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Recommended Learning Resources/Tools

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Other Recommended Reading

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Mode of delivery

• Face-to-face

Type of Teaching Activity/Activities

• Cours magistraux
• Conférences

Evaluations

The assessment methods of the Learning Activity (AA) are specified in the course description of the corresponding Educational Component (UE)