Russian

Professor: DIANE M. NEMAC IGNASHEV, Chair, Fall and Winter
Associate Professor: LAURA GOERING
Adjunct Instructor: ANNA MIKHAILOVNA DOTLIBOVA

Students considering language study outside the Western European offerings will find the Introductory Russian series a refreshing change. In our first-year sequence we cover the fundamentals with equal emphasis on: speaking, listening, writing, and reading, using materials that simultaneously illustrate the basics of Russian culture. In the first term we use folklore with Russian-designed animated computerized exercises. In the second and third terms we develop aural comprehension and pronunciation through folk and rock music video; vocabulary, speaking and cultural competency are enhanced with slide-illustrated histories of Moscow and St. Petersburg. By the end of the third term students are able to read short prose by Chekhov, Dostoevsky, and Tolstoy, and to communicate functionally with native speakers. Beyond completion of the requirement (usually in Russian 204) the Russian section offers classes addressing contemporary Russian cultural and social issues while focusing on skill development at the intermediate level (205-206), and language maintenance courses at the advanced level (301). Students with pre-college Russian, either acquired or native, should consult the department for placement information.

Literature and Cultural Studies:

We teach a variety of courses in English translation which carry no language prerequisites (230-295). Courses at the 330-395 level, which are conducted entirely in Russian, aim to expand students' linguistic range as well as their understanding of analytical techniques and cultural contexts. See individual listings below for prerequisites.

Requirements for the Major:

63 credits, including the following: Russian 205, 206 or 207; 12 credits of survey courses in English (Russian 242, 244, 255); 18 credits numbered 330 or above, six of which will normally be Russian 395; and the integrative exercise. Up to six credits in Russian 301-308 can be counted toward the major. Remaining credits may be chosen in consultation with the advisor from: departmental offerings, study abroad, appropriate methodology courses, related field work, etc. Students are strongly advised to include Russian and Eurasian courses from other disciplines in their electives.

Study Abroad: Participation in foreign study programs is highly recommended for students majoring or concentrating in the Russian field. For a description of the Carleton Moscow Program and information about the ACM Krasnodar Program, consult the section "Off-Campus Studies." For more details about these and other options you should consult faculty in the Russian Department. Departmental approval of credit for participation in overseas programs should be sought before leaving campus.

Russian Studies Concentration: For information about the Russian Studies Interdisciplinary Concentration as well as courses in the field outside the department students should consult the separate alphabetical listing.

Certificate of Advanced Study in Foreign Language and Literature or Foreign Language and Area Studies: Refer to section under Academic Regulations (see index)

Language Houses: Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language by living in the Language House. The Associate is a native speaker, and students organize and participate in numerous cultural activities in the language houses.

101. Elementary Russian

For students with no previous training in or minimal knowledge of Russian. Simultaneous development of skills in speaking, reading, aural comprehension, writing. Students with prior instruction or who speak Russian at home should consult the department for placement information. Class meets five days a week. 6 credits, ND

Fall -- Staff

102. Elementary Russian

Continues Russian 101. Prerequisite: Russian 101 or placement. Class meets five days a week. 6 credits, ND

Winter -- Staff

103. Elementary Russian

Concludes introductory method of Russian 101-102. Prerequisite: Russian 102 or placement. Class meets five days a week. 6 credits, ND

Spring -- Staff

107. Moscow Program: Grammar and Conversation

This course will focus on continued study of the fundamentals of Russian grammar, vocabulary expansion, and activation. This course is taught by members of Moscow State University Philological Faculty and supervised by the program director. Prerequisite: For students who have just recently begun their study of the Russian language, having completed or tested beyond elementary Russian 102. 6 credits, ND

Spring -- D. Nemec Ignashev

108. Moscow Program: Phonetics

This course is taken in combination with Russian 107. Students focus on the essentials of Russian pronunciation with preliminary work in intonation. This course is taught by members of Moscow State University Philological Faculty and supervised by the program director. 3 credits, ND

Spring -- D. Nemec Ignashev

204. Intermediate Russian

Review and expansion of concepts acquired in Russian 101-103, with emphasis on texts from a variety of Russian sources. Prerequisite: Russian 103 or placement. Class meets four days a week. 6 credits, ND

Fall -- D. Nemec Ignashev

205. Russian in Cultural Contexts

In this course students will continue to develop skills of narration, listening comprehension, and writing, while exploring Russia's unique participation in both "The East" and "The West." We will focus on images of Russia's topography, from the Baltic to the Pacific, in major monuments of Russian culture: fragments of artistic, scholarly, memoristic, and travelogue writing, together with computer technology, films, songs, and painting. Prerequisite: Russian 204 or placement .6 credits, ND

Winter -- A. Dotlibova

206. Introduction to Russian Culture

Using readings, films and computer resources, students will investigate selected aspects of Russian culture, while continuing to hone their language skills. Possible topics include religion, cuisine, fine arts, politics and folklore. Conducted in Russian. Prerequisite: Russian 205. 6 credits, AL

Not offered in 1998-1999.

207. Moscow Program: Intermediate Conversation and Grammar

This course aims at vocabulary expansion and the assimilation and activation of formulaic conversational structures and speech etiquette at the same it develops familiarity with more complex principles Russian grammar. This course is taught by members of Moscow State University Philological Faculty and supervised by the program director. Prerequisite: Russian 205 or placement. 6 credits, ND

Spring -- D. Nemec Ignashev

208. Moscow Program: Intermediate Phonetics

This course is taken in combination with Russian 207. Students focus on the essentials of Russian pronunciation and correction. Preliminary work in intonation will be offered. This course is taught by members of Moscow State University Philological Faculty and supervised by the program director. 3 credits, ND

Spring -- D. Nemec Ignashev

227. Moscow Program: Talents and Admirers--Russia's Art and Its Patrons

This course is designed to combine Moscow's rich theaters and museums with the classroom in looking at the interaction between art and money. Using Moscow's theaters and museums as examples, we will survey the history of the performing and visual arts in Russia in their relationship to government and private funding. Particular attention will be paid to private sponsorship in the second half of the nineteenth century and its revival in the post-Soviet period, to Russia's merchant classes as private sponsors, and to reflections of questions of sponsorship in works of art. Russian 227 will be conducted in English and carries no prerequisites. 6 credits, AL

Spring -- D. Nemec Ignashev

Courses numbered 220-270 are devoted to surveys and topics in translation. Usually, these courses do not carry prerequisites. In the past, courses in translation have included monograph studies Tolstoy and Dostoevsky as well as broader examinations of the canon-"Holy Fools, Idiots, and Dissidents," "Soviet Satire," and "Gender and the Russian Literary Canon."

240. Flight of the Firebird: Peoples, Languages, and Legends of Eurasia

This course surveys the diversity of nations--large and small--inhabiting Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Western Siberia. Topics will include geography, historical linguistics, religion, and folklore. Readings from primary and secondary sources will be combined with film, music, and electronic resources. Analytical techniques will range from the encyclopedic catalogues and grammars of eighteenth-century neo-classicism to post-colonialist discourse analysis. Taught in English, foreign language is not prerequisite, but encouraged. Cross-listed with Literary & Cultural Studies 240. 6 credits, AL, RAD

Winter -- D. Nemec Ignashev

242. Russian Literature in Translation: Short Prose

Russia's best writer collaborated in a rich tradition of exquisite short prose. This overview traces that tradition from pre-modern saints' lives, legends, and fairy tales through the Golden Age of the nineteenth century, across the turn of the century, the revolution and the Soviet period, and concludes with post perestroika fiction. Lectures will provide an overview of cultural context; discussion will focus on questions of genre and style. No prior knowledge of Russian or Russian history is required. 6 credits, AL

Not offered in 1998-1999.

244. Russian Literature in Translation: The Novel

A survey of representative works from the early nineteenth century to the present. Close textual analysis will be combined with discussion of the evolution of the genre in its historical and cultural context. Works by Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov and others. No prior knowledge of Russian or Russian history is required. 6 credits, AL

Fall -- L. Goering

255. Introduction to Russian Cinema

This course offers an historical overview of Russian cinema from its inception before the revolution of 1917, through the Soviet epoch, and into the era of independent Russia. We'll focus on the history of the medium in its distinctly Russian context and the visual emblems of national culture, as well as on questions of national vs. international languages of cinema. No prior knowledge of Russian language or culture is required. All films will be subtitled. Format: 2 screenings per week, readings, discussion, short papers. Cross-listed with Media Studies 255. 6 credits, AL

Not offered in 1998-1999.

290. Moscow Program: Reading for Russia

Students will read works related to the seminar courses of study and excursions. An examination on the reading will be given. All students at all levels register for the course. 3 credits, ND

Spring -- D. Nemec Ignashev

301. Language Skill Maintenance

Continued language practice and skill development, normally for mid-advanced students not currently enrolled in another 300-level Russian course. Weekly conversation-discussion meetings on assigned topics; course materials include current publications, film, video and music. Conducted entirely in Russian. May be repeated according to need; six credits may be counted towards the Russian major. Prerequisite: Russian 205 or 206 or consent of the instructor.2 credits, ND

Not offered in 1998-1999.

307. Moscow Program: Advanced Conversation and Writing

This course combines advanced work in Russian grammar (largely corrective) and fundamentals in composition, with conversational Russian. Prerequisite: at least 6-12 credits beyond Russian 205-206. 6 credits, ND

Spring -- D. Nemec Ignashev

308. Moscow Program: Advanced Phonetics and Intonation

This course is taken in combination with Russian 307. Students focus on corrective pronunciation and theory and practice of Russian intonation. This course is taught by members of Moscow State University Philological Faculty and supervised by the program director. 3 credits, ND

Spring -- D. Nemec Ignashev

327. Moscow Program: Talents and Admirers--Russia's Art and Its Patrons

This course addresses the same issues as Russian 227, however, students registered at the 300-level will participate in discussions and complete all assignments in Russian. Prerequisite: Russian 205. 6 credits, AL

Spring -- D. Nemec Ignashev

333. Russian Literature "For Children"

Many well-known Russian writers also wrote literature for children. Some sought new ways of educating; others sought refuge from the constraints of censorship. Some incorporated themes from folklore; others created new characters who became part of the literary culture shared by all Russians. This course will examine the evolution of Russian writing for children from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. Works by Tolstoy, Chukovskii, Zoshchenko, Olesha, Kharms, Marshak and others. Conducted in Russian. Prerequisite: Russian 205 or equivalent. 6 credits, AL

Not offered in 1998-1999.

334. Russian Poetry

A survey or Russian poetry from the eighteenth century to the present, including an introduction to the terminology and techniques of poetic analysis. Conducted in Russian. Prerequisite: Russian 205 or permission of the instructor. 6 credits, AL

Winter -- L. Goering

336. Pushkin

A study of the major poetry, drama and prose of Russia's most important poet. 6 credits, AL

Not offered in 1998-1999.

340. The Arts of Rus'

A consideration of Russian culture from the Kievan period through the seventeenth century. Topics will include: readings from the Primary Chronicle, the Igor Tale, hagiographic literature, selected folk epics, fairy tales, and introduction to Old Russian architecture, painting, and music. Conducted in Russian. Prerequisite: Russian 205, 206, or 207. 6 credits, AL

Not offered in 1998-1999.

344. "Is it Easy to be Young?": Adolescents in Russian Culture

In this course we will investigate the existential experience, social and cultural difficulties young people face in Russia. Discussion will range broadly from generation conflicts through cruelty among teens to sexual maturation processes. The course will build on materials diverse as the Russian literary canon, particularly the works of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, and contemporary films by Tarkovskii, Bykov, Muratova. Prerequisite: Russian 205 or 206 or consent of the instructor. 6 credits, AL

Fall -- A. Dotlibova

346. Methods of Teaching Modern Language

Methods of, and curricular materials for, the teaching of foreign language in the elementary and secondary school. Prerequisite: Language proficiency. Cross-listed with Educational Studies 346, French 346, German 347 and Spanish 346. 6 credits, ND

Not offered in 1998-1999.

395. Senior Seminar: The Stalin Myth

Senior seminars involve multi-disciplinary examination of major issues and personalities from Russia's past. Recent seminar topics have included: The Stalin Myth, Reading Russia through Chekhov, Moscow and Muscovites. Senior seminars generally are offered in years alternating with the Carleton Moscow Program. Conducted in Russian. 6 credits, AL

Not offered in 1998-1999.

400. Integrative Exercise

6 credits, S/NC, ND

Fall, Winter -- Staff