2000-01 Bulletin Entry for:

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.

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.

Faculty

See Germanic and Slavic Languages.

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: Required are: RUS 105a or RUS 106b, RUS 150b, RUS 153a, and any six of RECS 130a through RECS 154a.

C. Concentrators wishing to graduate with departmental honors must enroll in and complete RUS 99d (Senior Thesis), a full-year course. Before enrolling students should consult with the coordinator. Candidates for departmental honors must have a 3.50 G.P.A. in Russian courses previous to the senior year. Honors are awarded on the basis of cumulative excellence in all courses taken in the concentration and the grade on the Honors Thesis. One semester of the Senior Thesis course may be counted towards the six required upper level courses.

These courses do not fulfill the foreign language requirement.

Requirements for the Minor in Russian Literature

Five semester courses are required:

A. RUS 105a (Advanced Grammar and Reading) or RUS 106b (Conversation and Composition).

B. RUS 150b (Russian Prose: Undergraduate Seminar) or RUS 153a (Russian Poetry: Undergraduate Seminar).

C. Three additional courses in Russian literature/culture above RUS 106b.

Successful completion of RUS 30a or a departmental language exemption exam is a prerequisite for the minor.

Courses of Instruction

(1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students

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

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

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For students with some previous study of Russian (RUS 10a, RUS 20b). Continuing presentation of the basic grammar and vocabulary of the language within the context of Russian culture. Special attention to reading and writing skills. Usually offered every year.

Staff

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

Staff

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

Staff

Usually offered every year.

Staff

(100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students

The abbreviation RECS denotes Russian and European Cultural Studies courses.

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Presentation of complex grammar. Special attention to reading and writing skills. Usually offered every year.

Staff

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A course designed to improve ordinary conversational skills and teach composition on an intermediate level. Conducted entirely in Russian. Usually offered every year.

Staff

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Designed to meet the needs of Russian language speakers who have had little or no formal training in their native language and who want to improve reading and writing skills. Readings range from short works of contemporary prose fiction to articles from the contemporary Russian press. Basic rules of orthography and advanced grammar topics will be reviewed. Usually offered every year.

Ms. Chevalier

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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

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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.

Staff

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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

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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.

Ms. Miller

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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. Miller

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

Ms. Miller

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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

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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.

Staff

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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.

Staff

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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.

Staff

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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.

Staff

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Topic for 1999: Twentieth-Century Russian Poetry. 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 in even years.

Staff

A concentrated study of Vladimir Nabokov, the most noted Russian author living in emigration and one of the most influential novelists of the 20th century. Study focuses on the novels, but readings will also include lectures and autobiography. Usually offered in even years.

Mr. Swensen

Cross-Listed Courses

European Cultural Studies: The Proseminar