COURSES OF INSTRUCTION IN RUSSIAN (RUS)
RUS 101/102 Beginner’s Course (4,4)
Essentials of Russian language including
rudiments of grammar, acquisition of a simple vocabulary,
practice in reading and conversation, and simple written
exercises.
RUS 105 Everyday Spoken Russian (1)
Introduction to the Russian language and
culture with emphasis primarily on speaking. This sprint
course will cover a broad range of language functions from
introducing and describing oneself to making suggestions
and asking for directions and requesting a service. Taught
in Russian.
RUS 133 Imagining Russia (2)
Survey of Russian history, society, politics, economy,
literature, film, and arts from a variety of intellectual
perspectives. Classroom lectures plus out of class cultural
presentations.
RUS 137 Russian Folklore (3)
Introduction to Russian folklore, including
study of the folk tale, charms and incantations, ceremonial
poetry connected with the calendar, jokes, proverbs, folk
ditties, wedding ceremonies, funeral customs, modern
gestures, graffiti. Some discussion devoted to Slavic
pre-Christian society and survivals of pagan customs in the
Christian era. Considerable treatment of comparative
folklore worldwide. IIB, IIIB. CAS-B-LIT, MPF, MPT
RUS 201/202 Intermediate Russian (3, 3)
Conversation, vocabulary building, readings,
composition, grammar. RUS 202: CAS-A, MPT
RUS 250 Topics in Russian Literature in English Translation
(3; maximum 9)
Treatment of selected works of Russian literature that
suggest particular thematic problems. For nonspecialist
with little or no background in Russian literature.
CAS-B-LIT, MPT
RUS 254 Introduction to Russian and Eurasian Studies
(3)
Examines the major developments that have shaped Russian
and Eurasian culture, society and politics over the last
millennium. The course incorporates perspectives from the
social sciences, humanities and the fine arts. Crosslisted
with POL, HST, REL 254.
RUS 255 Russian Literature from Pushkin to Dostoevsky in
English Translation (3)
Examines works by Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol,
Turgenev, and Dostoevsky and a number of critical essays
representative of a variety of viewpoints. Uses
interdisciplinary approach that takes into account social,
historical, political, religious, as well as literary
factors. Cross-listed with ENG 255. IIB. CAS-B-LIT, MPF,
MPT
RUS 256 Russian Literature in English Translation: From
Tolstoy to Nabokov (3)
Treatment of selected works of Russian
literature (realism, modernism, post-modernism) with
special attention to Tolstoy, Chekhov, Bunin, Sologub,
Bulgakov, Babel, Solzhenitsyn, and Nabokov. Cross-listed
with ENG 256. CAS-B-LIT, MPT
RUS 257 Russian Literature in English Translation: From
Pasternak to the Present (3)
Treatment of major trends in the development
of Russian literature since 1953. Examines works by
Pasternak, Solzhenitsyn, Rasputin, Trifonov, and others.
CAS-B-LIT, MPT. Offered infrequently.
RUS 258 Contemporary Russian Women’s Writing (3)
A chronological and thematic introduction to
Russian women’s prose after 1953 and how this writing
both critiqued and upheld gender inequalities in Soviet and
Russian society. Taught in English. CAS B.
RUS 263 Soviet and Post-Soviet Russian Cinema (3)
Critical survey of directors, genres, and
movements in Soviet cinema. Screening of films from
Eisenstein to current directors. Lectures, discussion, and
readings in English. Cross-listed with FST 263. CAS-B-LIT,
MPT
RUS 272 East European Literature and Film (3)
An introduction to the cultures of Eastern
Europe, form Poland to the former Yugoslavia, through
representative twentieth-century literary works and films,
with particular focus on the history of Eastern
Europe’s Jewish community and the tragedy of the
Holocaust. Taught in English. Cross-listed with FST 272.
CAS-B, MPT.
RUS 301 Advanced Russian (3)
Conversation, advanced composition, reading
in Russian literature. Prerequisite: RUS 202. MPT
RUS 302 Advanced Russian (3)
Conversation, advanced composition, reading
in Russian literature. Prerequisite: RUS 202.
RUS 306 Peoples and Cultures of Russia (3)
Description and analysis of the cultures of
Russia and Eurasia with a focus on non-Russian peoples and
contemporary survival.
RUS 311 Reading in Russian (3)
Enables students to develop fluency in reading Russian
texts. Core readings for all students and supplemental
readings according to individual interests. Prerequisite:
RUS 202 or equivalent.
RUS 401 St. Petersburg: History, Literature, Culture
(3)
Concentrates on one city, the “second capital”
of Russia, St. Petersburg. In-depth study of the history,
politics, literature, art, and architecture of St.
Petersburg. Taught in English. Appropriate for students who
have taken one of the Russian Thematic Sequences or for
those with a concentration in Russian literature, history,
or politics. Offered infrequently. MPC
RUS 411/412 Advanced Conversation and Composition (3, 3)
Practice in oral communication and
composition at the advanced level. Prerequisite: RUS 302.
RUS 450 Topics in Russian Culture (3; maximum 9)
In-depth study of a selected topic in Russian culture.
Taught in Russian. Prerequisite: RUS 302 or permission of
instructor.
RUS 451 Golden Age of Russian Culture (3)
Overview of Russian culture, literature,
music, and art in its golden age (nineteenth century).
Taught in Russian. Prerequisite: RUS 412 or permission of
instructor. Offered infrequently.
RUS 480 Department Honors (4-6)
May be taken in senior year. Prerequisite: permission of
instructor and department.