Rollins College Spring 2009

RSN 234: IN THE MOVIES Dr. Alexander Boguslawski Dr. Boguslawski's office is located in Hauck 208 E-mail addresses: [email protected]

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION: CLASS MEETS MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS 1:00-1:50 AND FRIDAYS 2:00-2:50 IN HAUCK 112

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES: This course was designed to give students a brief overview of Russian cinematography and memorable films. The selected movies depict Russia during various historical periods, from medieval times to the present. They are creations of talented screenwriters and directors and present fascinating insights into Russian history, religion, art, politics, and everyday life. The main objectives of this course are to familiarize students with important movies about Russia and with important Russian directors; to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of Russia through the exploration of the historical, cultural, religious, social, and political background of each movie; to help students write informed essays about film and critical reviews of selected movies; to help students discuss and evaluate important themes and subjects in the movies as uniquely Russian or universal.

GOALS OF THE GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (V and C) AND ASSESSMENT OF THEIR FULFILLMENT:

Values (V) Through ethical values and moral principles, people find meaning in and justification of their actions as individuals and as participants in their communities. Personal growth is encouraged by critically reflecting on one's own values, on the values of others, and on the values shaping society. This course will improve the student's ability to articulate and evaluate the ethical principles involved in important decisions, in their own personal lives or in society (either contemporary or historical). Upon completion of this requirement, students will be able to identify the moral and ethical dimension of a personal or social issue (past or present); explain the moral and ethical principles used to resolve the ethical dilemma; and evaluate the moral or ethical decision reached. Typically, this requires students to provide a reasoned evaluation of the decision and of the adequacy of the principles involved in reaching it. In the study of historical situations and in non-Euro-American contexts, however, the adequacy of the decision may be evaluated in terms of the moral framework of the society and the time in which the decision occurred. (In this course, students will write two papers in which they will discuss issues such as honor, decency, bravery, patriotism, weakness, laziness, artistic integrity, freedom, tyranny, and faith, treated in the movies watched. Students will explain the major moral and ethical dilemmas of these issues and will evaluate the issues on the basis of their own personal value system or the value system present in the Russian society of the time and revealed by the movies).

The papers must be at least 4 pages in length, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins on each side and the font size 12. To write effective essays, students must: a) Gather all the necessary information from the assigned readings and additional sources. b) Decide what facts must be included in the paper to adequately and clearly address the topic. c) Consider such questions as "when, why, who, what, and so what?" d) Organize your material into a narrative with a clear introduction, interesting argument, smooth transitions between thoughts and paragraphs, and a strong conclusion. e) Carefully edit and proofread. Unedited papers will be returned with a failing grade.

Knowledge of Other Cultures (C) Goals: The course will provide students with necessary tools to understand the political, social, economic, and intellectual forces that shaped Russia. Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of a point of view characterizing a non-Western culture, including awareness of basic beliefs that are not typical of most Western cultures. Moreover, students will be able to explain how a given institution or symbol system in a non-Western culture enhances the viability of that culture or, alternately, serves the interests or purpose of some social group or category within that culture. Assessment: The fulfillment of the C requirement will be assessed by quizzes, presentations, discussions, written essays, and the final comprehensive examination in which students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the basic beliefs of the Russian people (those whose effects are/were widespread) and will be able to compare or contrast them with beliefs typical of a western culture.

TOPICS FOR PAPERS (DESIGNED TO ASSESS THE C REQUIREMENT) 1. Discuss the impact of the Mongol occupation of Russia. 2. Analyze the cult of personality, pointing out the necessary conditions for such a cult to develop.

3. Describe the role of the communist party in the life of the Russians after the Revolution. 4. Discuss the role of the secret police in the Soviet system. 5. Compare Stalin’s dictatorship to the reign of a selected dictator in the West.

THE ACADEMIC HONOR CODE:

2 Membership in the student body of Rollins College carries with it an obligation, and requires a commitment, to act with honor in all academic endeavors. Because academic integrity is fundamental to the pursuit of knowledge and truth and is the heart of the academic life of Rollins College, it is the responsibility of all members of the College community to practice it and to report apparent violations.

The following pledge is a binding commitment by the students of Rollins College:

The development of the virtues of Honor and Integrity is integral to a Rollins College education and to membership in the Rollins College community. Therefore, I, a student of Rollins College, pledge to show my commitment to these virtues by abstaining from any lying, cheating, or plagiarism in my academic endeavors and by behaving responsibly, respectfully, and honorably in my social life and in my relationships with others.

This pledge is reinforced every time a student submits work for academic credit as his/her own. Students shall add to all papers, quizzes, tests, lab reports, etc., the following handwritten abbreviated pledge followed by their signature:

“On my honor, I have not given, nor received, nor witnessed any unauthorized assistance on this work.”

Material submitted electronically should contain the pledge; submission implies signing the pledge.

BOOKS (movie companions): Battleship Potemkin Andrei Rublev The Cranes Are Flying Little Vera

MOVIES: Battleship Potemkin by Sergei Eisenstein (1925) Alexander Nevsky by Sergei Eisenstein (1938) The Cranes Are Flying by Dimitri Kalatozov (1957) Andrey Rublev by Andrei Tarkovsky (1966) Little Vera, by Vasilii Pichul (1988) Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears by Vladimir Menshov (1979) Burnt by the Sun by (1994) Prisoner of the Mountains (Caucasian Prisoner) by Sergei Bodrov (1996) Peculiarities of National Fishing, by Aleksandr Rogozhkin (1998) The Cuckoo, by Alexandr Rogozhkin (2001) The Russian Ark, by Alexander Sokurov (2001)

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CLASS PROCEDURES AND ASSIGNMENTS: Since there is no regular film “textbook” for this class, the assignments will be based on completing assigned readings from movie companion books, conducting research on Russian directors and movies in libraries and on the Internet, viewing the movies, and discussing the movies in class. Before each movie, students will conduct research – in libraries and on the Internet – to acquire sufficient information about the director of the movie, the historical period in which the movie was made and which the movie portrayed, and about the events and the personalities represented in the movies. During the viewing of the movies, students will pay attention to key elements, including the director’s style, camera work, actors’ performance, music, etc. Taking notes during the viewing sessions is very important because each movie will be discussed in class (participation in discussions will be graded) and students will write essays about selected movies. Students’ performance will be measured by 4 graded essays, quizzes, and class participation/ discussion. In the course of the semester, each student will write four essays / movie reviews, making sure that one of them centers on ethical/moral problems presented in the movies (this is a vital part of the V requirement) and one on the distinctive aspect of Russian culture making it different from the West (a part of the C requirement). All essays must be serious, thoughtful, well edited, and at least 4 pages (double-spaced, font size 12) long. A bibliography, showing the use of sources and independent research, has to accompany each essay. Essays are due one week after the completion of movie viewing and discussing. Using the services of the Writing Center is strongly encouraged: unedited papers will be returned with a failing grade! Quizzes will check the completion of readings and students’ general involvement and preparation for class. Class discussions are good only when the class is well prepared. Good preparation allows students to ask questions and get some answers from other students. I realize that sometimes it is intimidating to show ignorance, but without being open-minded and acknowledging our shortcomings we would never have a stimulating exchange of ideas. Students should realize that their research will make them feel more comfortable during class discussions. The more one explores, the more one can contribute to the class’ learning. Final exam will be comprehensive – an essay, in which students will describe what they learned in the course of the semester through readings, research, discussion, and study of the movies.

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING POLICIES: Students have to attend all classes. Only an official excuse from the Dean of the Students or a physician will be accepted. Absences above the three (excused and unexcused) will result in the lowering of the final grade (half of a letter grade for each absence); the sixth absence results in an automatic failing grade (F). Moreover, this course depends on participation by all students. Good preparation and note-taking are essential. Students are responsible for finding out what was covered in class, obtaining notes from their classmates, and doing all the necessary research for the classes missed. Grading will be based on the following formula: 4 essays (40%) Class participation and discussion (sharing your ideas and your research findings with the class) 4 (20%) Quizzes (20%) Final exam (20%)

TENTATIVE SYLLABUS: *AN IMPORTANT NOTE* Please do not depend on this tentative schedule for viewing dates. The movies may be shown on other days if the progress of the class demands rescheduling of the viewing times and discussion times.

Wednesday, January 14: Introduction. Course organization and requirements. Read: Leary (handout). Friday, January 16: Introduction: Historical remarks.

Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no class) Wednesday, January 21: Important early directors and movies. Research: Eisenstein; Revolution of 1905 in Russia. Read: The Battleship Potemkin movie companion Friday, January 23: Battleship Potemkin viewing Read: The Battleship Potemkin movie companion

Monday, January 26: Battleship Potemkin. Discussion Research: Medieval Russia. Novgorod the Great. Prince Alexander Nevsky. Mongol conquest of Russia. Sweden and the Teutonic Order. Wednesday, January 28: Medieval Russia. Kiev, Novgorod, and the Mongols. Friday, January 30: Alexander Nevsky viewing Research: German-Russian relations before the World War II.

Monday, February 2: Alexander Nevsky viewing. Discussion Research: Russian medieval art (icons and architecture). Andrei Rublev and Theophanes the Greek. Andrei Tarkovskii. Read: Andrei Rublev movie companion. Wednesday, February 4: Andrei Rublev viewing. Friday, February 6: Andrei Rublev viewing.

Monday, February 9: Andrei Rublev viewing. Wednesday, February 11: Andrei Rublev viewing and discussion. Friday, February 13: Andrei Rublev discussion.

Monday, February 16: Andrei Rublev discussion. Wednesday, February 18: Andrei Rublev discussion. Read: The Cranes Are Flying movie companion. Research: Hitler’s invasion of the . The war. Destruction and casualties. Propaganda. 5 *****(The first essay is due)***** Friday, February 20: The Cranes Are Flying viewing.

Monday, February 23: The Cranes Are Flying viewing and discussion. Wednesday, February 25: The Cranes Are Flying discussion. Read: Burnt By the Sun movie companion Research: Stalinism. The cult of personality. The purges. The Gulag. The Thaw. Nikita Mikhalkov Friday, February 27: Burnt by the Sun viewing . Monday, March 2: Burnt by the Sun viewing discussion Wednesday, March 4: Burnt by the Sun discussion Friday, March 6: Summary before the break. Research: Russian-Finnish relations. The “Winter War.” The Lapps. Aleksandr Rogozhkin. *****(The second essay is due)*****

March 7-15: SPRING BREAK

Monday, March 16: The Cuckoo viewing. Wednesday, March 18: The Cuckoo viewing and discussion. Friday, March 20: The Cuckoo discussion. Research: Women in the Soviet society. Career vs. personal happiness. Brezhnev’s stagnation.

Monday, March 23: Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears viewing. Wednesday, March 25: Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears viewing. Friday, March 27: Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears viewing and discussion. Research: Ethnic problems in the Soviet Union and Russia. War in Chechnya. Sergei Bodrov.

Monday, March 30: Prisoner of the Mountains viewing. *****(The third essay is due)***** Wednesday, April 1: Prisoner of the Mountains viewing and discussion. Friday, April 3: Prisoner of the Mountains discussion. Research: Russian life. Family. Housing. Soviet and post-Soviet life. Vasilii Pichul. Read: Little Vera movie companion.

Monday, April 6: Little Vera viewing. Wednesday, April 8: Little Vera viewing and discussion. Friday, April 10: Little Vera discussion. Research: Alcohol and alcoholism in Russia. Other national pastimes.

Monday, April 13: Particularities of the National Fishing viewing. Wednesday, April 15: Particularities of the National Fishing viewing and discussion. Friday, April 17: Particularities of the National Fishing discussion. Research: Review of Russian history (since Peter the Great); Marquis de Coustine.

6 Monday, April 20: Russian Ark viewing. Wednesday, April 22: Russian Ark viewing and discussion. Friday, April 24: Russian Ark discussion. Review of the course material. *****(The fourth essay is due)*****

Monday, April 27: Review of the material. Conclusion of the course.

FINAL EXAMS: April 30-May 1 and May 4-5.

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