Courses Offered
Russian
A list of regularly offered courses follows. The indication of when a course will be offered is based on the best projection of the department and can be subject to change.
Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement.
COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH
RUS214. The Russian Novel from Pushkin to Tolstoy. (H) Every Fall
Study of the emergence of a national literary tradition in 19th-century Russia as it was fashioned by writers and their reading publics. Emphasis on the Russian reaction to traditional Western European forms of narrative and the special status of the Russian writer as a social “moral barometer.” Readings will include works by Karamzin, Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol, Turgenev, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. All readings will be in translation, with special assignments for those able to read in Russian. Bernstein
RUS217. Russia: 20th Century in Print and Film. (H) Every Spring
The 20th century was a time of unprecedented upheavals and profound changes in Russian society, politics and culture. Russia and its successor state, the Soviet Union, suffered revolutions, wars, bloody civil strife, collectivization and purges. During those unstable and dangerous times and despite official suppression, Russian writers, artists and filmmakers produced outstanding works. In this course we will study the 20th-century Russian experience through its literature and other art forms. All readings will be in English, with special assignments for those able to read in Russian. Bernstein
COURSES TAUGHT IN RUSSIAN
RUS101. Elementary Russian I. Every Fall
Introduction to the contemporary Russian language. The course presents the fundamentals of Russian grammar and syntax. Emphasis on listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Three eighty-minute meetings per week, plus an additional conversation hour conducted by a native speaker. Sand
RUS102. Elementary Russian II. Every Fall
Continuation of Russian 101. Three eighty-minute meetings per week, plus an additional conversation hour conducted by a native speaker. Prerequisite: Russian 101 or placement. Sand
RUS201. Intermediate Russian I. (LS) Every Spring
Vocabulary building, continued development of speaking and listening skills and active command of Russian grammar. Readings from authentic fiction and poetry. Short composition assignments. Three eighty-minute meetings per week, plus an additional conversation hour conducted by a native speaker. Prerequisite: Russian 102 or placement. Bernstein, Sand
RUS202. Intermediate Russian II. (H) Every Fall
Continuation of Russian 201. Increased mastery of Russian grammatical structures through reading and discussion of authentic literary and cultural texts. Continued emphasis on speaking, reading and writing Russian. Three eighty-minute meetings per week, plus an additional conversation hour conducted by a native speaker. Prerequisite: Russian 201 or placement. Sand
RUS301. Readings in Russian Literature I. Every Spring
The primary purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to read Russian literature in the original while improving their active command of the written and spoken language. Readings have been selected from among the acknowledged masterworks of Russian literature. Prerequisite: Russian 202 or placement. Sand
