Connecting Cultures: AI in Creative and Academic Contexts

Session 1: July 6 – 17, 2026

Session 2: July 20 – 31, 2026

Monday - Friday, 10.00 - 12.50

In-person

Language: English

Course Description

Our course offers comprehensive immersion into the world of creative writing, where you'll master storytelling art, character creation, and literary devices. You'll learn how to effectively use artificial intelligence in academic research: from literature search to ethical AI application in scientific work. Special attention is given to the classic IMRAD structure and peer review process. Simultaneously, you'll discover Russia through studying Russian as a foreign language. We'll explore historical capitals, the cultural heritage of the Golden Ring, regional diversity, and contemporary state structure. This program is ideal for those seeking to develop creative, academic, and intercultural competencies in an intensive summer format.

Why Choose This Course?

The course is focused on Russian specifics and tailored to address unique cultural, historical, and educational contexts of Russia. The course also incorporates unique teaching methods and utilizes innovative pedagogical approaches and case studies. The programme includes trending topics and covers contemporary subjects such as artificial intelligence applications in writing.

Content

AI in Creative Writing:

1. Developing Ideas for Creative Writing

2. The Art of Storytelling: Understanding the Plot & Shaping the Story, Creating Compelling Characters

3. Use of literary devices in creative writing

4. Revision and the Editing Process

AI in Academic Context:

1. Features of Academic Research in the AI era

2. The old trusted IMRAD structure

3. AI tools for literature search, literature review and editing

4. The use of AI in research and ethical norms. How to submit and revise after a review

Russian as a Foreign Language:

1. "The Capitals of Russia: A Historical Retrospective"

2. "The Golden Ring of Russia"

3. "A Journey to the East: The Many Faces of Russia"

Modern Russia: The State System of Government of the Russian Federation"

Skills and Competence

Skills:

Critical analysis - Ability to critically evaluate literary works, scientific sources, and AI tools;
Literary devices - Mastery of metaphors, similes, symbolism, allegories, and other expressive language techniques;
AI tool evaluation - Skill in assessing and selecting appropriate AI tools for creative and academic purposes;
Text editing - Proficiency in structural, stylistic, and proofreading editing of various text types;
Storytelling - Crafting compelling narratives with well-developed plots and characters;
Russian language communication skills - Effective communication in Russian across cultural and professional contexts.

Competencies:

Research process - Ability to design, implement, and present academic research following IMRAD structure;
Automation of storytelling and scientific texts - Competence in using AI to enhance and streamline creative writing and academic writing processes;
Editing of academic and literary texts - Professional editing capabilities for both scientific papers and creative works;
Understanding of Russian cultural contexts - Deep comprehension of historical, regional, and contemporary cultural nuances in Russian-speaking environments.

Teaching Methods

Group practical training.

Prerequisites

The course has no formal prerequisites.

Final Assessment

Test and a presentation.

Final Grade Background

Attendance and the completion of the final assessment.

Course is taught by

Tatyana Astaikina, Senior lecturer;

Sofia Stalskaya, Senior lecturer;

Svetllana Kucherenko, Senior lecturer.