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This course uses film to explore changes in Soviet society and politics between the NEP era and the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Cultural politics was a fraught and often dangerous arena in the USSR, and filmmakers had to adapt frequently in order to survive or thrive. Furthermore, as many soviet-era films are available in the public domain, their works provide a fascinating basis from which to explore long-term change and continuity in the USSR.
What will we cover?
The course will analyse long-term cultural change in the Soviet Union, analysing the shifting boundaries of artistic acceptability and respectability as they are evidenced in Soviet films. We will also use film to search for how the regime represented or ignored perennial problems in Soviet society: the position of the family, trauma, “being Soviet”, and nationalism.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify the key shifts in Soviet cultural politics between the 1920s and 1990s, and speculate as to why they occurred.
• Display a good comparative knowledge of Soviet film over time.
• Identify the ways in which film producers in the USSR represented Soviet society, in addition to how or why this changed.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is intended to build upon some existing understanding of Soviet history. You will benefit most from this course if you have some basic knowledge of the key eras in Soviet history: the NEP period (1922-29), the early Stalin years (1928-1941), the war and late Stalinism (1941-1953), the ‘thaw’ era under Khrushchev (1953-1964), the era of “stagnation” (1964-1985) and the era of perestroika, glasnost’, and collapse (1985-1991).
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be assigned up to two films to watch between classes: these will be on YouTube and with English subtitles –due to age restrictions on some of the films, you may need to create a YouTube account in order to watch them. You may also be assigned some reading to provide some background and additional understanding for the films you are watching. We will explore the films you have watched in class through a mix of discussion and lectur
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You are advised to bring a pen and some paper. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other courses in Russian/Soviet history starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-soviet-union-a-history-in-film-1922-1991237011The Soviet Union: a history in film, 1922-1991https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/europe-1848-HEH115-1024.jpg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history/Courses/Online courses228511771178118217311228511771178<p>This is an advanced course intended to use film as a primary source in exploring the history and culture of the Soviet Union in greater detail.</p>352816418The Soviet Union: a history in film, 1922-1991259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/europe-1848-HEH115-1024.jpgInStockEveningThuOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-07T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH89259259The Soviet Union: a history in film, 1922-1991207168259Nick Morganthe-soviet-union-a-history-in-film-1922-1991/heh89-2526<p>This is an advanced course intended to use film as a primary source in exploring the history and culture of the Soviet Union in greater detail.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-07 00:00:00<p>This course uses film to explore changes in Soviet society and politics between the NEP era and the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Cultural politics was a fraught and often dangerous arena in the USSR, and filmmakers had to adapt frequently in order to survive or thrive. Furthermore, as many soviet-era films are available in the public <br/> domain, their works provide a fascinating basis from which to explore long-term change and continuity in the USSR.<br/> </p><p>This is an advanced course intended to use film as a primary source in exploring the history and culture of the Soviet Union in greater detail.</p><p>The course will analyse long-term cultural change in the Soviet Union, analysing the shifting boundaries of artistic acceptability and respectability as they are evidenced in Soviet films. We will also use film to search for how the regime represented or ignored perennial problems in Soviet society: the position of the family, trauma, “being Soviet”, and nationalism.</p><p>• Identify the key shifts in Soviet cultural politics between the 1920s and 1990s, and speculate as to why they occurred. </p><p> • Display a good comparative knowledge of Soviet film over time. </p><p> • Identify the ways in which film producers in the USSR represented Soviet society, in addition to how or why this changed.</p><p>This course is intended to build upon some existing understanding of Soviet history. You will benefit most from this course if you have some basic knowledge of the key eras in Soviet history: the NEP period (1922-29), the early Stalin years (1928-1941), the war and late Stalinism (1941-1953), the ‘thaw’ era under Khrushchev (1953-1964), the era of “stagnation” (1964-1985) and the era of perestroika, glasnost’, and collapse (1985-1991).</p><p>You will be assigned up to two films to watch between classes: these will be on YouTube and with English subtitles –due to age restrictions on some of the films, you may need to create a YouTube account in order to watch them. You may also be assigned some reading to provide some background and additional understanding for the films you are watching. We will explore the films you have watched in class through a mix of discussion and lectur</p><p>You are advised to bring a pen and some paper. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. </p><p>Other courses in Russian/Soviet history starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual207259168HEH89NONEThu07/05/26 - 09/07/2619:30 - 21:3019:3021:3010 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineNick MorganBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-07T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities259259The Soviet Union: a history in film, 1922-1991the-soviet-union-a-history-in-film-1922-1991/heh89-2526<p>This is an advanced course intended to use film as a primary source in exploring the history and culture of the Soviet Union in greater detail.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-07 00:00:00<p>This course uses film to explore changes in Soviet society and politics between the NEP era and the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Cultural politics was a fraught and often dangerous arena in the USSR, and filmmakers had to adapt frequently in order to survive or thrive. Furthermore, as many soviet-era films are available in the public <br/> domain, their works provide a fascinating basis from which to explore long-term change and continuity in the USSR.<br/> </p><p>This is an advanced course intended to use film as a primary source in exploring the history and culture of the Soviet Union in greater detail.</p><p>The course will analyse long-term cultural change in the Soviet Union, analysing the shifting boundaries of artistic acceptability and respectability as they are evidenced in Soviet films. We will also use film to search for how the regime represented or ignored perennial problems in Soviet society: the position of the family, trauma, “being Soviet”, and nationalism.</p><p>• Identify the key shifts in Soviet cultural politics between the 1920s and 1990s, and speculate as to why they occurred. </p><p> • Display a good comparative knowledge of Soviet film over time. </p><p> • Identify the ways in which film producers in the USSR represented Soviet society, in addition to how or why this changed.</p><p>This course is intended to build upon some existing understanding of Soviet history. You will benefit most from this course if you have some basic knowledge of the key eras in Soviet history: the NEP period (1922-29), the early Stalin years (1928-1941), the war and late Stalinism (1941-1953), the ‘thaw’ era under Khrushchev (1953-1964), the era of “stagnation” (1964-1985) and the era of perestroika, glasnost’, and collapse (1985-1991).</p><p>You will be assigned up to two films to watch between classes: these will be on YouTube and with English subtitles –due to age restrictions on some of the films, you may need to create a YouTube account in order to watch them. You may also be assigned some reading to provide some background and additional understanding for the films you are watching. We will explore the films you have watched in class through a mix of discussion and lectur</p><p>You are advised to bring a pen and some paper. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. </p><p>Other courses in Russian/Soviet history starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
