Russian Society and Politics: Understanding Society through the Language, 5 cr

There is a close connection between the life of a society and the lexicon of the language spoken by this society. Language often gives more objective view of people’s mentality and political perspectives, key values and challenges than sociological polls or political studies. The course focuses on the analysis of political discourse in modern Russia and US with the involvement of examples from the discourse of European political leaders. We will pay special attention to Putin’s and Trump’s speech profiles and techniques because their success and popularity stem from their ability to speak in terms that resonate with Russian/American citizens. Whether or not we like it, president’s speech manners have an influence on the discourse of the society as a whole.

Lecture 1 (2 hours)

Close connections between language, power and ideology. Political discourse and discourse analysis. Language manipulations. The techniques for indirect action of manipulate discourse
on the audience. Discussion.

Lecture 2 (2 hours)

The language of Soviet political leaders was a language of uneducated people with dialectal or regional features and speech mistakes. Putin speaks standard Russian almost with no mistakes and distinctive features. He brought in a new style of informal communication with the audience and the expansion of slang and rude jokes into political speech. “Putinomania” and “Putinophobia”. Discussion.

Lecture 3 (2 hours)

The discourse of power has changed during 20 years of Putin’s era. The third Putin’s presidential term completely changed the political situation in Russia, and the whole set of key words of power has been altered. New generation does not like Putin’s speech style with ethnic slurs and sexist expressions. Russian Internet and Offence law.

Lecture 4 (2 hours)

Donald Trump’s speech profiles, his rhetoric and manipulative techniques. Trump’s speeches and posts on Twitter. Stupid mistakes as a part of his image. Trumpgrammar (https://twitter.com/trumpgrammar) and Trump’s elements of style (https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/trumps-elements-of-style). Discussion.

Lecture 5 (2 hours)

Putin and Trump speech manners are not the same. Putin speaks as a “silovik” (military man) and Trump as a salesman and showman. But they have a lot in common. Both presidents use rather primitive rhetoric and manipulative technique to make you to believe you can trust this man, that he is not the same as other politicians, that he does not make empty promises and does not lie; that he understands the needs of ordinary people, that he is a good guy like you and me; but strong enough to make Russia/America great again. Discussion.

Lecture 6 (2 hours)

At the first glance, the Russian oppositional discourse and anti-Trump discourse of American politicians and mass-media have nothing in common. But if we compare the language of pro-government and oppositional politicians, newsmakers and celebrities, their rhetoric and manipulative techniques, we will see that they often use almost the same clichés turned upside down.

Final discussion.