Bachelor
2026/2027
Research Seminar “India, Australia and South Africa: Cultural Influences and Historic Challenges
Type:
Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
Where:
Faculty of Humanities
When:
1 year, 3, 4 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
32
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course is tailored to 1st-year undergraduates majoring in foreign languages and intercultural communication, though it may be of interest to students of other majors. The aim of the course is to equip students with knowledge and skills connected to the history and heritage of Australia, India, and South Africa. Thus, the course encourages students to step outside the usual perspective of English-speaking countries. The course is comprised of scientific research seminars and is an elective. "History and Culture of Australia, India, South Africa" combines various activities designed to establish the context for students’ understanding of the subject. Those include discussions, quizzes, projects, etc..Throughout the course, three sections will be covered.– Section 1: India – The given section includes the following topics: Introduction to the course. India’s portrait. History - Prehistory and the Beginnings / The Classical and Medieval Period / The Early Modern Period History - The Freedom Struggle / India after Independence Culture, religion, society - Mythology and Epics / Hinduism, Celebration, Cultural Appropriation / Literary image (might be realised with the “Language Diversity” sections) Culture, religion, society - Bollywood and Representation in Film / Fashion and Music / Cuisine and Its Influence Language Diversity - Language Diversity and Writing Systems in India / Hinglish and Indian English / Sanskrit Revision and discussion India projects– Section 2: Australia – The given section includes the following topics: Introduction to Australia. Australia’s portrait. History - From the first exploration to the National Reconstruction History - Making modern Australia Culture, religion, society - Aboriginal Australians and Culture: The First People Culture, religion, society - Food Culture / The Arts / Wicca in Australia Culture, religion, society - Literature, cultural institutions and sports / Famous Australians Language Diversity - Australian English and national identity, British influence: from Origin to Originality Australia projects– Section 3: South Africa – The given section includes the following topics: Introduction to South Africa. South Africa’s portrait. History - From Pastoralism to Capitalism Expansion History - From Diamonds to Apartheid Unravel Culture, religion, society - Daily Life and Social Customs, Art and Music Culture, religion, society - Literature, Cultural Institutions and Sports Culture, religion, society - Russian and South African communication: 300 Years of Cultural Exchange Language Diversity - Languages’ Melting Pot: Introduction to Language Policy Final projects
Learning Objectives
- to hone skills of sociocultural and linguocultural analysis of above mentioned English-speaking countries in a form of an essay / group project / presentation;
- to familiarize students with Indian, Australian and South African traditions, cultures, and language peculiarities;
- to develop competence in forming the basis of intercultural knowledge about India, South Africa, Australia;
- to enhance critical thinking and research skills by working through assignments or problem-solving tasks connected to culture and language studies
- to promote the further professional development and academic collaboration in the field of Indian, Australian and South African Studies;
- to address and ignite the academic debates in relation to the history and heritage of Australia, India, and South Africa.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- analyses how the culture and traditions influence the historic development of the country
- is aware of the cultural and linguistic features of the country in focus
- suggest ways to establish a cultural contact with a country in focus
- students describe and explain key stages of Indian history and identify their impact on contemporary Indian society and culture
- students analyse selected aspects of Indian culture, including religion, mythology, cinema, cuisine, fashion, and music, and discuss their representation in contemporary society
- students compare major languages and writing systems of India and explain how linguistic diversity contributes to Indian cultural identity
- students explain how historical events contributed to the formation of modern Australia
- students analyse key aspects of Australian culture and society, including Aboriginal heritage, food, arts, literature, sports, and cultural institutions
- students explain the development of Australian English and analyse its role in the formation and expression of Australian national identity.
- students explain the historical factors that contributed to the development and eventual dismantling of apartheid
- students analyse selected aspects of South African cultural and social life, including traditions, art, music, literature, sports, and cultural institutions
- students analyze South Africa’s linguistic diversity and explain the role of language policy in a multilingual society, including its implications for intercultural communication
Assessment Elements
- In-class participation and attendanceModules 3 and 4 are taken into consideration. Assessed in the following way. Attendance + active participation = 1. Attendance + lack of / no participation = 0,4. N/A = 0. For instance, if modules 3 and 4 have 24 classes in total, there are 24 points max. If a student attends and actively participates in 14 classes, just attends 7 classes with no participation and skips 3 classes: 1) 14 * 1 + 7 * 0,4 + 3 * 0 = 16,8 points out of 24 points max; 2) 16,8 * 10 / 24 = 7 out of 10 is the "In-class participation and attendance" grade.
- Course testThe final test will contain questions of various formats: multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-gap, open-end, visualisation. It will cover the course materials only. AI usage is not allowed.
- ProjectsStudents will be provided with a list of topics to choose from (e.g. "An Important Person in Indian History", "The Representation of Australia in Western Cinema", "Gandhi in South Africa"). A slide presentation is required. There will be at least two group projects, either presented in person or submitted online in a video format. They cover linguistically, culturally or socially relevant topics related to our sections.
- ProductiveModules 3 and 4 are taken into consideration, and this part includes all home assignments. Late submissions can be allowed provided that an official medical certificate or any other certificate of absence was presented to the study office. The mark in then capped at 7 points max and an additional deadline not later than a week before the end of the corresponding study module is set, meaning that a Module-3 hometask cannot be submitted in Module-4. Regarding the certificate of absence, it is student's responsibility to notify the tutor themselves of one provided the student wants to re-submit the task. Example tasks (details are to be provided with the actual tasks): – Fill in an outline map based on the list provided. – Create a poster illustrating one of the traditional crafts of the region.
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 4th module0.25 * In-class participation and attendance + 0.25 * Projects + 0.25 * Course test + 0.25 * Productive
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- A concise history of Australia, Macintyre, S., 2009
- A history of Australia, Peel, M., 2011
- Australia : a cultural history, Rickard, J., 2017
- Culture, power and difference : discourse analysis in South Africa, , 1997
- Metcalf, Barbara Daly; Metcalf, Thomas R. A Concise History of Modern India. Cambridge University Press, 2012. Pp. 364. ISBN: 978-1-107-02649-0, 978-1-107-67218-5, 978-1-139-20780-5, 978-1-139-52649-4, 978-1-139-52769-9, 978-1-139-52888-7, 978-1-139-53116-0, 978-1-139-54047-6, 978-1-283-57506-5. URL: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=977222.
- South Africa after apartheid : policies and challenges of the democratic transition, , 2016
- Россия и Южная Африка. Три века связей, Давидсон А., Филатова И., 2010
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Brics,. (2012). The BRICS Report: A Study of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa with Special Focus on Synergies and Complementarities. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.b.oxp.obooks.9780198085386