Our BA Comparative Literatures and Cultures and Russian degree offers an unmatched opportunity to study international cultural production in depth and breadth, while also studying Russian, a language of strategic importance spoken by 145 million speakers across several countries and large diasporic communities. Russian is available from beginners' level and post-A level (or equivalent).
You will study the literatures and cultures of the world in comparative frameworks that draw on methodologies from textual, cultural and visual studies, as well as from translation, philosophy, history, social science and critical theory. Texts are read in English translation.
In your final year you will complete an innovative, supervised, independent project consisting of an extended essay on a topic of your choice and a public-facing element presented to the entire cohort.
Teaching is through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays and dissertations.
This course encourages attributes highly valued by employers, including intercultural understanding, analytical and critical thinking, clarity and self confidence in communication, an aptitude for collaborative work and creativity. It will instil the habits of curiosity, openness, rigour, self reflection and evidence-based thinking, preparing you for careers in a variety of sectors.
All modern languages students have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre, with a collection of movies, cinema suite, audio recording and video editing studio, computer and language lab and study areas. You can access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes, student newspapers and talent shows.
In the first two years you will study core units, such as:
Comparative Literature: What is it and how can we practise it
Introduction to Visual Cultures
Popular Representation and Institutions of Culture
Migrations of Culture.
Additionally, you will have a wide choice of optional units based in the culture of a single language or a combination of cultures. Teaching is informed by staff research interests, and you will be taught by experts in their fields.
You will follow a structured language course in Russian, as well as explore the rich literature, cinema, history, thought, politics, religion and visual culture of Russian-speaking countries and communities. You will spend your third year abroad in a country where Russian is widely spoken, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge.
