Russian Program

Fall 2009

Literature and Culture in English

RUST 112. Politicizing Magic: Russian and Soviet Fairy Tales. Ms. Rudova.

Explores the evolution of the fairy tale genre from folklore to Soviet culture. Special focus is on the role of the genre in the creation of Soviet mythology. Study of different critical approaches and structure of the genre.
MW 2:45-4:00

Courses in Russian

RUSS 1. Elementary Russian. Ms. Dwyer.

Acquisition of basic oral and written communication. Introduction to the
structure of the language. Intensive oral practice.
MWF 10:00-10:50; TTh 9:35-10:50

RUSS 33. Intermediate Russian. Ms. Rudova.

Further study in the Russian language, including reading,
conversation, grammar and composition. Prerequisite: RUSS 2.
MWF 11:00-11:50; TTh 9:35-10:50

RUSS 186. Animated Russia: Cartoons and the Language of Culture. Mr. Klioutchkine.

In a country with a strong tradition of animation, cartoons define the ways in which Russians make sense of their experience. The course surveys Russian cartoons from the Soviet era to the present, focusing on how they disseminatecultural assumptions while lampooning them at the same time. Prerequisite: RUSS 44.
TTh 1:15-2:30

Associated REES Courses

HIST 111. Topics in European History—Europe Since 1945. Mr. Wakefield (CMC)
MW 1:15
Hist 132. Marx in Context. Mr. Sheridan (PZ)
MW 1:15

Introduction to Comparative Government. Ms. Appel (CMC)

Spring 2010

Literature and Culture in English

RUST 175. Empire and Ethnicity: The Case of Modern Russia. Ms. Dwyer.

This course examines the cultural production (literature, film, visual culture) of Russia through the lenses of empire and ethnicity.  Emphasis is on the formation of national and imperial identities from the Petrine era to today. Topics include Russian Orientalism in the Caucasus; Jews, Ukrainians, and Poles as actors in Russian culture; Russia’s eastern frontier.  One previous course in Russian history or literature is recommended, but not required.
TTh 2:45-4:00

Courses in Russian

RUSS 2. Elementary Russian. Ms. Dwyer.

Continues the acquisition of basic oral and written communication with a focus on Russian grammar in social and cultural contexts. Intensive oral and written practice. Prerequistie: Russ 1. Each spring.
MWF 10:00-10:50; TTh 9:35-10:50

RUSS 44. Advanced Russian. Ms. Rudova

Continues the study of the Russian grammatical system. Focus on oral communicative strategies, advanced syntax, study of short poems, prose and film. Prerequisite: 33. Each spring.
MWF 11:00-11:50; TTh 9:35-10:50

RUSS 182. Post-Soviet Russian Culture and Society. Ms. Rudova.

Main changes in Russian society since the collapse of the U.S.S.R. through fiction, popular media, and film. Topics include post-Soviet identity and nostalgia, nationalism, wars in Chechnya, terrorism, control of the media, ecological issues, new religiosity and popular culture.  Readings from the Russian media and contemporary fiction. Films. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: 44. Letter grade only. Spring 2010; offered alternate years.
MW 2:45-4:00