Courses
Courses in English
Courses in Russian
Current Courses
RUSS 99 / Foreign Languages Across the
Curriculum (1-2)
Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum is a tutorial program which seeks to
enable students with at least intermediate-level proficiency in a foreign language
to access authentic materials in that language that are relevant to a cognate
course. Students will use their acquired skills to read and interpret texts in
the foreign language and/or conduct research in the language. Knowledge gained
will be applied to the work of the cognate course. Amount of credit established
at time of registration. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite:
RUSS 30.
Courses in English
RUSS 10 / Banned Books: Russian Literature amd Censorhip (4)
A survey of masterpieces of Russian literature of the 19th and 20th centuries
in Enlgish translation. The course will examine the way in which Russian
writers managed to communicate with their readers, despite state censorship
in both Russian and the Soviet periods. All of the readings are previously "banned
books." Authors include Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov,
Bulgakov, Pasternak, and Nabokov. Offered fall semester in even-numbered
years.
RUSS 11 / Love and Death in Russian Literature (4)
Russian literature is renowned for its probing explorations of human relationships
and the "eternal questions" of human existence. This course surveys
Russian literature of the 19th and 20th centuries with an emphasis on the recurring
pattern of strong heroines and superfluous heroes found in the works of such
writers as Pushkin, Lermontov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, and
Bulgakov, as well as in selections from more recent Soviet and post-Soviet
Russian writers. Offered fall semester in odd-numbered years.
RUSS 16 / Introduction to Russian Cinema (4)
A chronological survey of developments in Russian film history from the pre-revolutionary
era to the present. Students will be exposed to a wide range of movies, including
early silent films (pre- and post-revolutionary), experimental films of the
1920s and early 1930s, socialist realist films, films on World War II and Soviet
life, and films from the glasnost' era and contemporary Russia. There will
be extensive screening of works such as October, The End of St. Petersburg,
Jolly Fellows, The Ascent, Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears, and Little Vera.
Readings will include theoretical articles and selections from Russian film
history and criticism. All readings are in English and all films shown with
English subtitles. Offered alternate spring semesters.
RUSS 25 / Introduction to Russian Culture (4)
An introduction to the main themes of Russian culture, with emphasis on understanding
today's Russia through its rich cultural heritage. A survey of over one thousand
years of Russian art, music, literature, folk culture, architecture, economics,
politics, and religion. Significant class time is devoted to the visual aspects
of Russian culture, such as art, film, architecture, folk art, and icons. Offered
alternate spring semesters.
RUSS 120 / Selected Topics in Russian Literature I (2)
An in-depth study of a particular author, theme, genre or major work of Russian
literature read in English translation (students with advanced language skills
may opt to do readings in the original). May be repeated for credit as topic
changes. Regular offerings include: Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Nabokov,
Russian Short Story, Contemporary Russian Writing. Course may be repeated for
credit, as topic varies. Course may be repeated. Offered fall semester.
RUSS 121 / Selected Topics in Russian Literature II (2)
An in-depth study of a particular author, theme, genre or major work of Russian
literature read in English translation (students with advanced language skills
may opt to do readings in the original). May be repeated for credit as topic
changes. Regular offerings include: Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Nabokov,
Russian Short Story, Contemporary Russian Writing. Course may be repeated for
credit, as topic varies. Course may be repeated. Offered spring semester.
RUSS 125 / Special Topics in Russian Cultural Studies (4)
In-depth study of a particular topic relevant to Russian cultural studies but
not covered by regular course offerings. Future topics may include: Slavic
Folk Cultures; Eastern European Literature and Film; Russian Art and Architecture.
May be repeated for credit with the approval of the department. Offered annually.
RUSS 131 / Independent Study in Russian Cultural Studies (2-4)
A tutorial course. Selection of advanced material not covered in other course
offerings based upon the student's interests. Oral and written assignments
in English and/or Russian. Amount of credit established at time of registration.
May be repeated for credit (up to at most eight credits) with approval of department.
Open only to juniors and seniors Signature of instructor required for registration.
Courses in Russian
RUSS 1 / Fundamentals of Oral and Written Russian (4)
An intensive study of the fundamentals of Russian grammar with an emphasis
on speaking, reading, writing and listening comprehension skills. Students
will learn to read and write the Cyrillic alphabet, and begin the study of
the Russian case system. Supplementary readings in Russian culture. Extensive
use of Web based materials. Open to students with no prior knowledge of Russian
or who have been assigned to the course after a placement examination. Corequisite:
RUSS 3. Offered fall semester.
RUSS 2 / Fundamentals of Oral and Written Russian II (4)
An intensive study of the fundamentals of Russian grammar with an emphasis
on speaking, reading, writing and listening comprehension. Students will complete
the study of the Russian case system and learn word processing in Cyrillic.
Supplementary materials on Russian culture, including songs and poetry. Extensive
use of Web-based materials. Prerequisite: RUSS 1 or placement exam RUSS 1 and
3. Corequisite: RUSS 4. Offered spring semester.
RUSS 3 / Basic Russian Conversation I (2)
This two-credit course allows students enrolled in Russian 1 to work on Russian
phonetics, pronunciation and intonation. Emphasis on development of conversational
skills and listening comprehension. Corequisite: Russian 1. Offered fall semester.
RUSS 4 / Basic Russian Conversation II (2)
This two credit course allows students enrolled in Russian 2 additional practice
in developing conversational and listening comprehension skills. Only students
simultaneously registered in RUSS 2. Meets: Two 60 minute periods per week.
Prerequisite: RUSS 1 and 3. Corequisite: RUSS 2. Offered spring semester.
RUSS 30 / Intermediate Russian I (4)
Development of communicative ability in contemporary written and spoken Russian
. Review of basic Russian grammar and development of reading skills through
expanded study of the verbal system. Use of authentic materials and cultural
supplements as well as Web-based materials. Open to students who have completed
one year of college Russian or have been assigned to the course after placement
examination. Prerequisite: RUSS 2 and RUSS 4. Offered fall semester.
RUSS 50 / Intermediate Russian II (4)
Completion of study of basic Russian grammar. Further development of communicative
ability in contemporary written and spoken Russian. Use of film and video materials,
cultural supplements as well as Web-based materials. Prerequisite: RUSS 30.
Offered spring semester.
RUSS 100 / Reading and Speaking in Russian (4)
An emphasis on the development of reading and speaking skills through a variety
of materials, including short stories, poetry, and articles on Russian culture
and contemporary society. Some new grammar topics. Oral and written assignments
in Russian, some with video or computer materials. Prerequisite: RUSS 30 or
equivalent. Offered spring semester annually.
RUSS 101 / Advanced Russian I (4)
A third-year Russian course with continued study of the structure of the language
and with a focus on speaking and writing skills. This course includes an extensive
review of Russian grammar. Some reading and multimedia assignments. Prerequisite:
RUSS 50 or placement exam. Offered fall semester.
RUSS 102 / Advanced Russian II (4)
A third-year Russian course with continued study of the structure of the language
and with a focus on speaking and writing skills. This course includes an extensive
review of Russian grammar. Some reading and multimedia assignments. Prerequisite:
RUSS 101 or placement exam. Offered spring semester.
RUSS 130 / Independent Study in Russian Language and Literature (2-4)
A tutorial course. Selection of advanced material not covered in other course
offerings and based upon the student's interests. Amount of credit established
at time of registration. May be repeated for credit (up to at most eight credits)
with approval of department. Open only to juniors and seniors Signature of
instructor required for registration. Offered every fall and spring semester.
RUSS 199 / Senior Project (4)