Russian

Minor

Due to University Updates, Course Numbers for all Departments have Changed. Please reference the Courses Tab for new Course Numbers.

Requirements for the Russian Language and Literature Minor (22 credits)

I. Prerequisites (8 credits)

• RUSS 1/Fundamentals of Oral and Written Russian I (4)
• RUSS 3/Russian Conversation I (2)

II. Required courses (22 credits)

• RUSS 2/Fundamentals of Oral and Written Russian II (4)
• RUSS 4/Russian Conversation II (2)
• RUSS 30/Intermediate Russian I (4)
• RUSS 50/Intermediate Russian II (4)
• RUSS 101/Advanced Russian I (4)
• RUSS 102/Advanced Russian II (4)

Note: RUSS 2 and 4 may be exempted through placement exam. If RUSS 30 or RUSS 50 is exempted, a corresponding number of credits (4 or 8) must be completed from the following courses: RUSS 10, 11, 25, 120, 121.

Requirements for the Russian Cultural Studies Minor (26 credits)

I. RUSS 25/Introduction to Russian Culture (4)

II. Language Courses (10 credits)

• RUSS 2/Fundamentals of Oral and Written Russian II (4)
• RUSS 4/Russian Conversation II (2)
• RUSS 30/Intermediate Russian I (4)

Note: RUSS 2 and 4 may be exempted through placement exam. If RUSS 30 is exempted, 4 credits must be completed from the following courses: RUSS 50, 101, 102.

III. Literature and Culture courses (12 credits)

Three courses from at least two departments chosen from among the following courses:

• HIST 50/History of Imperial Russia (4)
• HIST 51/History of the USSR (4)
• MUS 55/Selected Studies in Music [when topic applies] (4)
• PSCI 105/Russian Politics (4)
• RUSS 10/Banned Books: Russian Literature and Censorship (4)
• RUSS 11/Love and Death in Russian Literature (4)
• RUSS 16/Introduction to Russian Cinema (4)
• RUSS 120/Selected Topics in Russian Literature I (2)
• RUSS 121/Selected Topics in Russian Literature II (2)
• REL 28/Eastern Christianity II (4)

Courses

Courses Offered

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RUSS 300 - Formerly 150 - Independent Study in Russian (2-4)

A tutorial course designed to enable students to study areas not offered in other courses. Conducted in English (or Russian).
May be repeated for credit with the approval of the department. Signature of instructor required for registration. Offered fall and spring semesters.

Courses in English

RUSS 251 - Formerly 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.
Fulfills: BH

RUSS 252 - Formerly 12 - Russian Writers (2)

The study of a particular Russian writer (Chekhov, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Nabokov and others ) or group of writers (Russian women writers, Russian emigre writers, Russian-Jewish writers, etc) within the context of the main issues in literature, history and society of their day. Readings are in English translation. Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies.
Course may be repeated. Offered Fall semester.
Fulfills: BH

RUSS 255 - Formerly 16 - Introduction to Russian and Soviet 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.
Fulfills: BA

RUSS 250 - Formerly 25 - An Intro. to Russian, Eastern European, & Eurasian Cultures (4)

This course examines the successive states and communities which have inhabited the space between Central Europe and East Asia, including Kievan Rus', Muscovy, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and the current Russian Federation and new neighboring states. We look at questions of ethnicity, religious pluralism, and regional diversity as well as economic and social issues, such as the role of women in society, the changes in class system and the legacy of the serf system. We will study the history and culture of this region through lectures, discussions and readings, using primary historical texts and works of literature and art, including film, music, painting and architecture. We will also pay special attention to what is being written about Russia (on all issues) on the internet today-and how Russian is being written about and portrayed in contemporary media practices.
Offered alternate spring semesters.
Fulfills: BI, DIT

RUSS 351 - Formerly 121 - Selected Topics in Russian Literature & Culture (2)

An in-depth study of a topic in Russian cultural studies or of a particular 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). Offerings may include such topics as the Russian short story, post-Soviet Literature, Russian plays, Slavic Folk Culture or Russian Art and Architecture.
Course may be repeated. Offered spring semester.

RUSS 352 - Formerly 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 350 - Formerly 135 - Banned Books: Russian Literature and Censorship (4)

A history of the development of Russian literature from the 18th century to the present focusing on the relationship between individual writers and state control of the arts in the Imperial, Soviet and post-Soviet periods. The course will examine publishing and censorship practices and trace the various ways in which Russian writers managed to communicate with their readers despite state controls. Readings include works by Radishchev, Pushkin, Turgenev, Dostoyevsky, Solzhenitsyn and other dissident writers. All readings in English translation. Offered fall semester in even-numbered years.
Offered Fall semester in even-number years.
Fulfills: BH

Courses in Russian

RUSS 101 - Formerly 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 103 - Formerly 3 - . Offered fall semester.

RUSS 101H - Formerly 1H - 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. Students who have been placed in RUSS 101 - Formerly 1 - H in the Fall and RUSS 102 - Formerly 2 - H in the Spring are exempt from taking the co-curricular conversation courses, based on oral interviews during the placement period.
Offered fall semester.

RUSS 102 - Formerly 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 101 - Formerly 1 - or placement exam RUSS 101 - Formerly 1 - and 3. Corequisite: RUSS 104 - Formerly 4 - . Offered spring semester.

RUSS 102H - Formerly 2H - 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. Students who have been placed in RUSS 101 - Formerly 1 - H in the Fall and RUSS 102 - Formerly 2 - H in the Spring are exempt from taking the co-curricular conversation courses, based on oral interviews during the placement period.
Offered spring semester.

RUSS 103 - Formerly 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: RUSS 101 - Formerly 1 - . Offered fall semester.

RUSS 104 - Formerly 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 101 - Formerly 1 - and 3. Corequisite: RUSS 102 - Formerly 2 - . Offered spring semester.

RUSS 201 - Formerly 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 102 - Formerly 2 - and RUSS 104 - Formerly 4 - Offered fall semester.

RUSS 202 - Formerly 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 201 - Formerly 30 - . Offered spring semester.

RUSS 301 - Formerly 101 - Advanced Russian: Listening & Speaking Using Russian Media (4)

An advanced course for students who wish to improve their active command of Russian. Discussion of authentic cultural materials from Russian film, television, and radio, using webcasts, RuTube, podcasts and the Internet. Emphasis on listening comprehension and conversation. Review of selected topics in grammar and stylistics. Short oral reports and written assignments.
Prerequisite: RUSS 202 - Formerly 50 - or placement exam Offered spring semester.
Fulfills: DIT

RUSS 302 - Formerly 102 - Advanced Reading and Writing in Russian: Non-fiction (4)

Reading and analysis of authentic texts in Russian. Material will consist of non-fictional texts focusing on political, historical, business or scientific topics, depending on student interest. Students will write, discuss and revise short essays in Russian, with attention to stylistics, word usage and idiomatic expressions.
Prerequisite: RUSS 202 - Formerly 50 - or permission of the program coordinator. Offered fall semester.
Fulfills: WI

Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum

RUSS 299 - Formerly 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.
Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: RUSS 201 - Formerly 30 -

Lang-in-Context

Language-in-Context Requirement for Russian

The following regularly offered courses fulfill the language-in-context requirement for students offering Russian as their language. Courses from foreign language departments and programs offered to fulfill this requirement must be in addition to the eight credits needed to fulfill the language requirement. For other courses, see the list published each semester.

• HIST 50/History of Imperial Russia (4)
• HIST 51/History of the USSR (4)
• MUS 55/Selected Studies in Music (when topic applies) (4)
• MUS 150/Independent Study in Music (when topic applies) (4)
• PSCI 105/Russian Politics (4)
• REL 27/Eastern Christianity I (4)
• REL 28/Eastern Christianity II (4)

Students who wish to use a course designated RUSS to satisfy the language-in-context requirement must take a course that is appropriate to their skills in Russian.