RUSS 1001-2002
A sequence meant to teach you the basics of Russian language. Courses teach grammar, syntax and vocabulary; oral skills, and Russian culture.
RUSS 1416 Introduction to Russian Culture: The Wondrous and the Supernatural
How do we explain the enchanting and mysterious world of Russian Culture? How have Russians imagined their world and themselves? To answer these questions, we will examine the various manifestations of the wondrous and the supernatural in Russian art. We will begin by reading Russian fairy tales to learn about the people’s folk beliefs and their Eastern Orthodox faith. We will then trace the Russian fantastic tradition by studying the works of nineteenth- and twentieth-century writers who wrestled to explain the marvelous and the demonic myths at the foundation of Russian culture. We will focus our attention on Russia’s cultural capitals St. Petersburg and Moscow and discuss how supernatural themes reflected social and historical realities. Authors may include Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Bely, and Bulgakov. No knowledge of Russian is necessary; all class discussions, readings, and writing are in English. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.
RUSS 2110 Russian in a Cultural Context
Continued development of Russian language and cultural skills with focus on all aspects of Russian culture, particularly Russian literature.
RUSS 3101 Advanced Conversation and Composition
Continued improvement of Russian language skills in areas of style and syntax.