Feature films in practice in cultural studies at a technical university

The article substantiates the relevance of the historical and culturological analysis of feature films in practical classes of the university course «Culturology» for technical specialties. Theoretical substantiations of the use of cinematography as an audiovisual source in the study of culture, as well as methodological developments of teachers of Russian universities are given. The novelty of the methodology developed by the author is shown. The description of the organization of classes, including the criteria for the selection of films, is given. Examples of practical tasks are given to consolidate the theoretical material of the university course in cultural studies in the sections of the Thematic plan – «Morphology of culture», «Culture, society, personality», «Dynamics of culture», «Socio-cultural worlds», «Culture and peoples» and topics, including: historical and spatial typology of culture; value motivations and cultural conflict; functional sign; consumer society and conspicuous consumption, «man of the mass»; elite and mass, elite and popular culture; the level of mass art and the formula model; historical and typological features of Russian culture. Examples of expected responses and results obtained are provided. The results of the five-year experience of using feature films in practice in cultural studies at a technical university are summed up: the majority of students are most successful in analyzing films of the middle level of mass art (mid-culture). The practical tasks developed by the author enable students to get acquainted with the masterpieces of Russian cinema, to some extent penetrate into the essence of the culture they represent, and also test their understanding of cultural theory. The teacher evaluates the student's ability to apply culturological theory to solve practical problems according to the level of the assignment.