Russian Language and Literature

S = Objectives

The mission of the Russian section of the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages is to train students in the literature, language, culture, and history of Russia. Our concentration prepares students to continue work at the graduate level within institutions in the United States and abroad. We have always prided ourselves on our ability to bring students to a high level of proficiency in the Russian language as rapidly as possible. Towards that goal we utilize modern technological tools: computer technology, audio, video, and film. Native Russian speakers are utilized as peer tutors assigned to our American undergraduates studying Russian language. In the area of literature, we are very fortunate to be able to provide for our undergraduate concentrators an excellent degree of coverage of the major authors and movements in Russian literature in the 19th and 20th centuries. Recognizing that we must provide service not only for concentrators but to the broad spectrum of Brandeis undergraduates, we offer two tracks of literature: a track given in English translation and a track given in Russian. Concentrators are required to take a number of courses in the original language, and when they take courses in translation, they are required to read a good portion of the course materials in the original language. Courses in Russian history and Russian politics are strongly recommended for concentrators.

S = How to Become a Concentrator

The department welcomes all students to become concentrators in Russian language and literature. This area of academic study is perhaps the most exciting today in view of recent events in Eastern Europe. We seek enthusiastic students who are not afraid to undertake a serious course of study. We offer individualized attention. We are devoted to teaching the undergraduate student. Our Russian concentrators have gone on to successful careers in academia, government, politics, the press, medicine, and social services. Please read below for the requirements toward the concentration.

S = Faculty

See Germanic and Slavic Languages

S = Requirements for Concentration

A. ECS 100a (European Cultural Studies: The Proseminar) to be completed no later than the junior year.

B. Advanced language and literature study: RUS 106b, 150b, 153a, and any five of RECS 130a through RECS 149b.

C. Concentrators are required to enroll in and complete one of the following options in the senior year: RUS 97a or b (Senior Essay), RUS 99d (Senior Thesis), a full year course. Students who wish to be considered for departmental honors must elect the thesis option. Honors will be awarded on the basis of cumulative excellence in all courses taken in the concentration, including the Senior Thesis. The department recommends that students take at least one course in Russian history.

D. Students wishing credit toward the Russian concentration for RUS courses conducted in English will be required to do all the reading in the original.

These courses do not fulfill the foreign language requirement.

S = Requirements for the Minor in Russian Literature

Five semester courses are required:

A. RUS 105a or RUS 106b.

B. Three courses selected from among RECS 130a, RECS 134b, RECS 146a, RECS 147b, RECS 149b, and RUS 148a or b.

C. One of the following: RUS 150b or 153a.

Successful completion of RUS 30a or the equivalent is a prerequisite of the minor.

S = Courses of Instruction

S = (1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students

RUS 10a Beginning Russian

Enrollment limited to 18 per section.

For students who have had no previous study of Russian. A systematic presentation of the basic grammar and vocabulary of the language within the context of Russian culture, with focus on all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Usually offered every year.

Staff

RUS 20b Continuing Russian

Prerequisite: RUS 10a or the equivalent. Enrollment limited to 18 per section.

For students with some previous study of Russian. Continuing presentation of the basic grammar and vocabulary of the language within the context of Russian culture, and practice of the four language skills. Special attention to reading and writing skills, as well as guided conversation. Usually offered every year.

Staff

RUS 30a Intermediate Russian

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Prerequisite: RUS 20b or the equivalent. Enrollment limited to 18 per section.

This course emphasizes the study of foreign language as it pertains to various cultural issues, including literary, historical, and sociological topics. Usually offered every year.

Staff

RUS 97a Senior Essay

Signature of the instructor required. Students should consult the area head of their concentration.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

RUS 97b Senior Essay

Signature of the instructor required. Students should consult the area head of their concentration.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

RUS 98a Independent Study

May be taken only with the permission of the advisor to concentrators and the chair of the department. Signature of the instructor required.

Reading and reports under faculty supervision. Usually offered every semester.

Staff

RUS 98b Independent Study

May be taken only with the permission of the advisor to concentrators and the chair of the department. Signature of the instructor required.

Reading and reports under faculty supervision. Usually offered every year.

Staff

RUS 99d Senior Thesis

Signature of the instructor required. Students should consult the area head of their concentration.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

G = (100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students

The abbreviation RECS denotes Russian and European Cultural Studies courses.

RUS 105a Conversation and Composition

(Formerly RUS 3a)

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Prerequisite: RUS 30a or the equivalent.

A course designed to improve ordinary conversational skills and teach composition on an intermediate level. Usually offered in odd years.

Ms. Broude

RUS 106b Advanced Composition, Conversation, and Reading

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Prerequisite: RUS 103a or its equivalent. Does NOT meet the foreign language requirement. Conducted entirely in Russian.

Usually offered every year.

Ms. Broude

RECS 130a Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature

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Open to all students. Conducted in English with readings in English translation.

A comprehensive survey of the major writers and themes of the 19th century including Gogol, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, and others. Usually offered in even years.

Staff

RECS 134b Chekhov

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Open to all students. Conducted in English with readings in English translation.

Offers a detailed investigation of the evolution of Chekhov's art, emphasizing the thematic and structural aspects of Chekhov's works. Attention paid to methods of characterization, use of detail, narrative technique, and the roles into which he casts his audience. Usually offered in even years.

Mr. Szulkin

RECS 135a The Short Story in Russia

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Conducted in English with readings available in Russian for concentrators and in English translation. No prerequisites for non-concentrators.

Focuses on the great tradition of the short story in Russia. This genre has always invited stylistic and narrative experimentation, as well as being a vehicle for the striking, if brief expression of complex social, religious, and philosophical themes. Usually offered in even years.

Staff

RECS 136b The Literature of Autobiography, Childhood Reminiscence, and Confession

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Conducted in English with readings available in Russian for concentrators and in English translation. No prerequisites for non-concentrators.

Despite the difficulties in attempting a genuine autobiography, childhood reminiscence, or confession, Russian writers from Avvakum on have undertaken to express themselves authentically within these forms. Readings will be drawn from Avvakum, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Nabokov, and others. Usually offered in even years.

Staff

RECS 137a The Heroine in Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature

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Open to all students. Conducted in English with readings in English translation.

Examines questions of female representation and identity in readings from Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol, Aksakov, Goncharov, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov. Usually offered in even years.

Staff

RECS 143b History of Russian and Soviet Film

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Open to all students. Conducted in English with readings in English.

A history of the development of Russian/Soviet film from the 1890s to the present. The course is conducted as a lecture course, but with considerable emphasis on the viewing and critique of many of the films discussed, in whole, or in some instances in part. Usually offered in odd years.

Ms. Broude

RECS 146a Dostoevsky

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Conducted in English with readings available in Russian for concentrators and in English translation. No prerequisites for non-concentrators.

A comprehensive survey of Dostoevsky's life and works, with special emphasis on the major novels. Usually offered in odd years.

Staff

RECS 147b Tolstoy

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Open to all students. Conducted in English with readings in English translation.

Studies the major short stories and novels of Leo Tolstoy against the backdrop of 19th-century history and with reference to 20th-century critical theory. Usually offered in even years.

Staff

RUS 148a A Survey of Russian Theater from 1719-1917

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Conducted in English with readings available in Russian for concentrators and in English translation. No prerequisites for non-concentrators.

Social, political, and literary forces that were instrumental in the development of Russian theater from the late 18th century to the Bolshevik Revolution. Major emphasis given to important plays and playwrights of the 19th century. Usually offered in odd years.

Mr. Szulkin

RUS 148b A Survey of Twentieth-Century Russian Theater: Chekhov to the Present

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History and development of Russian drama from Chekhov to the present. Conducted in English; readings in English translation, or in Russian for concentrators. Usually offered in odd years.

Mr. Szulkin

RECS 149b Twentieth-Century Russian Literature, Art, Film, and Theater

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Open to all students. Conducted in English with readings in English translation.

Focuses on three decades, 1900-30, and their various artistic movements as reflected in literature, painting, and theater. Explores the interrelationships between artistic movements and the political scene. Usually offered in even years.

Mr. Szulkin

RUS 150b Russian Prose: Undergraduate Seminar

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An undergraduate seminar intended primarily for concentrators that examines in detail the artistic prose of the major figures in Russian literature. Topics vary from year to year and the course may be repeated for credit. Open to qualified non-concentrators. Taught in Russian. Usually offered in odd years.

Mr. Szulkin

RUS 153a Russian Poetry: Undergraduate Seminar

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An undergraduate seminar, open to concentrators, that analyzes poetic movements, genres, and individual poets from the 19th and 20th centuries. Topics vary from year to year, and the course may be repeated for credit. Open to qualified non-concentrators. Taught in Russian. Usually offered every fourth year. Last offered in the spring of 1995.

Mr. Szulkin

S = Cross-Listed Courses

ECS 100a

European Cultural Studies: The Proseminar