Russian in Motion: Migration, Borders and Identity - AVES01205

• Title: Russian in Motion: Migration, Borders and Identity
• Form of teaching: seminar
• Guaranteed by: Institute of East European Studies (21-UVES)
• Faculty: Faculty of Arts
• Actual: from 2026
• Duration in semesters: 1
• Semester: winter
• Points: 0
• E-Credits: 3
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:0/2, C [HT]
• Capacity: unknown / unlimited (8)
• Maximum number of enrolled students: 8
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: Russian
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Repeated enrollment: 2 / 2 / 2 / 2
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: Mgr. Ekaterina Rycheva, Ph.D.; Mgr. Veronika Stranz-Nikitina, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): PhDr. Mgr. et Mgr. Natalie Rajnochová, Ph.D.; Mgr. Ekaterina Rycheva, Ph.D.; Mgr. Veronika Stranz-Nikitina, Ph.D.

Annotation

The course focuses on contemporary migration processes, Russian-speaking diasporas, and the transformation of language and identity in conditions of mobility and transnational experience. Students will become familiar with current approaches to the study of multilingualism, diaspora communities, and intercultural communication in the European context. Special attention will be devoted to the functioning of the Russian language in migration settings, media discourse produced by emigrant communities, cultural memory, and the formation of new identities.
Enrollment is limited. This course is open only to students participating in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Russian in Motion: Migration, Borders, and Identity during the Winter Semester 2026/2027. Students who are not enrolled in the project are not eligible to register for this course.

Last update: Rycheva Ekaterina, Mgr., Ph.D. (09.09.2026)

Aim of the course

The aim of the course is to introduce students to contemporary approaches in multilingualism with a particular focus on Russian-speaking communities in Europe. The course aims to develop students’ analytical, intercultural, and research skills through collaborative international work and comparative analysis of linguistic, cultural, and media practices connected with migration and transnational mobility.

Last update: Rycheva Ekaterina, Mgr., Ph.D. (13.07.2026)

Literature

Recommended literature

Blommaert, J. M. E. (2010). The sociolinguistics of globalization. Cambridge University Press.

Castles, S., de Haas, H., & Miller, M. J. (2020). The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World (6th ed.). Guilford Press.

Cenoz J. Defining Multilingualism. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics. 2013;33:3-18. https://doi.org/10.1017/S026719051300007X

Cummins, J. (2007). Rethinking monolingual instructional strategies in multilingual classrooms. The Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 10(2), 221–240.

Garcia, O., & Wei, L. (2014). Translanguaging: Language, Bilingualism, and Education. New York, NY: Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137385765

Jacobson, R. (1990). Allocating two languages as a key feature of a bilingual methodology. In R. Jacobson & C. Faltis (Eds.), Language distribution issues in bilingual schooling (pp. 3–17). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

META, o.p.s. https://meta-ops.eu/

Pavlenko, A. (2006). Bilingual Minds: Emotional Experience, Expression and Representation. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

Last update: Rycheva Ekaterina, Mgr., Ph.D. (13.07.2026)

Course assessment methods and requirements for successful completion, grading scheme

Požadavky ke zápočtu:

- vytvoření a předvedení vlastních prezentací a výukových materiálů (min. 3),

- prezentace aktuálního výzkumu k vybranému tématu,

- vedení učitelského portfolia (Mahara).

Last update: Rycheva Ekaterina, Mgr., Ph.D. (13.07.2026)

Syllabus

Topics:

1. Introduction to multilingualism

2. Russian-speaking diasporas in contemporary Europe

3. Language and identity

4. Media discourse and representation of migration

5. Digital communication and online migrant communities

6. Multilingualism and language practices in migration contexts

7. Cultural memory and identity construction

8. Comparative perspectives on multilingualism in Central and Eastern Europe

9. Collaborative international student projects

10. Workshops and group discussions

11. Final project presentations and reflection

Last update: Rycheva Ekaterina, Mgr., Ph.D. (13.07.2026)

Registration requirements

Enrollment is limited. This course is open only to students participating in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Russian in Motion: Migration, Borders, and Identity during the Winter Semester 2026/2027. Students who are not enrolled in the project are not eligible to register for this course.

Last update: Rycheva Ekaterina, Mgr., Ph.D. (13.07.2026)