Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Russian Culture through Film. Enhances understanding of Russian culture and contemporary society through analysis of cultural and social issues presented in five Russian films. May explore issues including but not limited to Russian men, male gender roles, marriage and divorce, friendship, Russian youth, organized crime, poverty and wealth. Course conducted in English and all films with English subtitles.

Students will gain cultural awareness and appreciation for the following aspects of Russian culture and society:

Economic conditions in post-Soviet Russia.
Organized crime in Russia
Russian youth
Russian music
Marriage and divorce
Russian male gender roles
Food, hospitality and drinking traditions
Poverty and wealth
Friendship in Russia
Russian national pride and self-identity.

•  Active participation in small group discussion
• Active participation in class discussions
• Conceptual written tasks to assess understanding of cultural and social themes in background readings and films
• Individual and group presentations

The following themes will be explored in the course:

Economonic conditions in post-Soviet Russia.
Organized crime in Russia
Russian youth
Russian music
Marriage and divorce
Jobs in Russia
Poverty and wealth
Friendship in Russia
WWII in Russia
Russian national pride and self identity.

Competencies and Skills:

•   Recognizes basic cultural differences
•   Demonstrates understanding of relevant cultural and social issues in contemporary Russian society
• Increased critical thinking skills
•   Small group collaboration
• Speaking and listening reflectively
• Critical analysis of cultural issues in films