In 2015-16 Russian government and media have been accused of ‘hacking the Western democracy’ and ‘propagating the Kremlin ideas in the West’. Russian broadcasters such as RT have been increasingly influential on global arena, causing ‘a crisis of journalism’ and ‘the arrival of the post-truth era’. The course provides an in-depth analysis of the structure of Russian media, paying special attention to transgressive media strategies such as trolling, hacking, and pirating, as well as considering other forms of subversion such as ‘queer’ media. Students will acquire knowledge about Russian media, society and government and their relationship with the world. Students will conduct their own media projects closely examining Russian media. No knowledge of the Russian language is required to take the course.     

The course will take place as an intensive course. Teaching will take place in the evenings, except on Fridays. 

The course will be taught in English; the course will be taught following the British academic tradition with a lot of focus on discussion, critical thinking and individual work.

No knowledge of the Russian language is required to take this course. Some Russian terms will be introduced and explained by the course leader. Social, political and cultural setting for Russian media will be introduced by the lecturer. Guidance on how to write academic essays in English will be provided.

The course will be beneficial for students with background in Russian Studies, Politics, Communication, Media, Journalism, Intercultural Communication, Visual Studies, and Eastern European Studies; however, students with background in other disciplines are also welcome. 

Vlad Strukov is Associate Professor in Digital Culture in  University of Leeds, UK.

The course is organized in cooperation with Aleksanteri Institute's Russian and East European Master's School.