Course Offerings
Russian Studies Program
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Ostankino Palace, Moscow |
101. 102. Elementary Russian I and II (I and II; 5)
Intensive training in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending Russian. Fundamentals of grammar and popular culture. Prerequisite: RUSS 101 or equivalent is prerequisite for RUSS 102.
101A. Intensive Elementary Russian (I or II; 3, 2)
Intensive training in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending Russian. Fundamentals of grammar and popular culture.
103. 104. Intermediate Russian I and II (I and II; 3, 1)
Advanced points of grammar and review of grammar. Training in all language skills combined with the study of cultural texts. Prerequisite: RUSS 102 or equivalent for RUSS 103; RUSS 103 is the prerequisite for RUSS 104.
125. Topics in Russian Culture (I; R; 3, 0)
An examination of everyday life in Russia as a mirror of historical, ideological, sociological, and economic forces. In English.
201. Advanced Russian I (I; 3, 0)
Advanced notions of Russian grammar; review of intermediate grammar. Advanced reading, composition, and conversation. In Russian. Prerequisite: RUSS 104 or equivalent.
204. Russian Conversation (I and II; R; 2) Half course.
Concentrated development of speaking skill. Conducted entirely in Russian by a native speaker. Intended for students enrolled in 200- and 300-level courses. This course cannot be taken more than twice.
205. Russian for Business (AII; 3, 0)
Designed for proficiency in business communication skills. Studies the grammar and lexicology of commercial offers, orders, contracts, complaints, shipping, and delivery. In Russian.
209. Russian Complementary Reading (I or II; R; 1, 0) Half course.
Russian sources read in conjunction with English language courses. Independent course of study established by instructor and student. Prerequisite: the equivalent of four semesters of Russian. This course cannot be taken more than twice.
222. Russian Through Theater (I or II; 3, 0)
Advanced study of Russian language, particularly phonetics and intonation patterns through reading, discussion, and performing plays. In Russian.
225. Russian Cinema: From Revolution to Repentance (I; 3, 0)
Traces through viewing and detailed analysis of films the development of Russian cinematography; from the innovations of directors like Eisenstein and Pudovkin, to the poetic-metaphorical aesthetics of Tarkovsky and Abuladze. In English.
230. Russian Song: Poetry, Politics, Pop (II; 3, 0)
The role of song in Russian culture. Genres studied include art song, guitar poetry, contemporary pop and folk rock. In Russian.
250. Crimes and Punishments: 19th-century Russian Literature (I; 3, 0)
Survey of major works of 19th-century Russian literature by Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov and their influence on Western European literary canon. In English.
252. Russian Through Literature (I or II; 3, 0)
A study of Russian through literary works by contemporary Russian writers. In Russian.
255. Politics of Writing: 20th-century Russian Literature (II; 3, 0)
Discussion of major trends and key literary figures in Russian literature from the 1917 Revolution to the post-Soviet Russia. Examines the questions of political dissent and literature vs. state. In English.
280. Topics in the Slavic Languages (I and II; R) Half to full course.
Study of a Slavic language other than Russian. Languages may include Ukrainian, Polish, Czech, and Serbo-Croatian. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
295. Topics in Russian Studies (AII; R; 3, 0)
Readings and discussion of special interest relevant to Russian studies. Topics selected by students in consultation with the instructor. In Russian.
301. Nineteenth-century Russian Culture and Civilization (AI; 3, 0)
Cultural and ideological developments from Kievan Russia to 19th-century Russia: art and artistic trends in the context of historical events and everyday life. Extensive use of slides and video materials. For advanced students of Russian. In Russian.
302. Twentieth-century Russian Culture and Civilization (AII; 3, 0)
Cultural developments from Chekhov to the present — the arts of the Silver Age, Socialist, realism, and post-Stalinism in the context of socio-political changes in 20th-century Russia. Extensive use of slides and video materials. For advanced students. In Russian.
311. Readings in Russian Literature (I or II; 3, 0)
An advanced study of the Russian language through close reading and discussion of short works by major Russian writers. In Russian.
325. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy: Literary Philosophy (II; 3, 0)
The course is intended to introduce students to major philosophical ideas of F. Dostoevsky and L. Tolstoy who have been considered not only the greatest Russian writers but also the most profound thinkers. In English.
330. Nabokov and His Worlds (AI or II; 3, 0)
Major works of one of the greatest authors of the 20th century. Nabokov's Russian and American periods examined in the context of both literary traditions. In English.
340. Russian Through Film and Theater (I or II; 3, 0)
An advanced study of Russian through watching and analyzing films and taped theatrical productions. In Russian.
350. Advanced Topics in Russian (I or II; R; 3, 0)
Readings and discussion of special topics at an advanced level. Topics selected by instructor in consultation with students. Prerequisite: successful completion of 200-level course or equivalent.
390. Independent Study (I or II; R; 3, 0) Half to full course.
Advanced independent research under the supervision of an instructor. Subject to be selected by student in consultation with the instructor. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
393. Honors in Russian (I or II; R; 3, 0)
