Courses offered

001, 002. Intensive Elementary Russian

Study of basic grammar and syntax. Fundamental skills in speaking, reading, writing and oral comprehension are developed. Nine hours a week, including conversation sections and language laboratory work. Both semesters are required for credit; three units of credit are awarded upon completion of Russian 002. (Davidson, Bain, staff)


101, 102. Intermediate Russian

Continuing development of fundamental skills with emphasis on vocabulary expansion in speaking and writing. Readings in Russian classics and contemporary works. Seven hours a week. (Bain)

110. Soviet and East European Cinema of the 1960s: War, Politics, and Gender

This course examines Soviet and East European "New Wave" cinema of the 1960s, which broke new ground in its treatment of war, politics, and sex. Films from the USSR, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Yugoslavia to be discussed include Wajda's Ashes and Diamonds, Kalatozov's I am Cuba, Foreman's Loves of a Blonde, and Makavejev's W.R. Mysteries of the Organism. Readings on introductory film theory and film history will also be discussed. All films with subtitles; no knowledge of Russian or previous study of film required. (Harte, Division I or III)

112. The Great Questions of Russian Literature

This course examines profound questions about the nature and purpose of human existence raised by preeminent 19th - and 20th - century Russian authors in major literary works, including Turgenev's Sketches from a Hunter's Album, Tolstoy's War and Peace, Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, Chekhov's The Seagull and the Cherry Orchard, Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita, and Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Combining lectures and discussions, the course explores and compares these authors' views on such topics as the definition of good and evil, the meaning of freedom, the role of rationality and the irrational in human behavior, and the relationship of art to life. (Allen)

201, 202. Advanced Training in Russian Language

Intensive practice in speaking and writing skills using a variety of modern texts and contemporary films and television. Emphasis on self-expression and a deeper understanding of grammar and syntax. Five hours a week. (Harte)

212. Russian Modernism: Early 20th-Century Russian Art and Literature (in translation)

This course focuses on Russia's modernist trends in the first three decades of the twentieth century. Along with discussion of Russian modernist literature (in translation), significant coursework will be devoted to studying the development of Russian "avant-garde" painting (Malevich, Kandinsky, et. al.), ballet, and film during this tumultuous, yet fruitful period. No knowledge of Russian is required. (Harte, Pahomov, Division III)

221. The Serious Play of Pushkin and Gogol

This course explores major contributions to the modern Russian literary tradition by its two founding fathers. Aleksander Pushkin and Nikolai Gogol. Comparing short stories, plays, novels, and letters written by these pioneering artists, the course addresses Pushkin’s and Gogol’s shared concerns about human freedom, individual will, social injustice, and artistic autonomy, which each author expressed through his own distinctive filter of humor and playfulness. (Allen, Division III)

223. Introduction to Russian Folklore

This interdisciplinary course introduces students to major issues in Russian and East European folklore including epic tales, fairy tales, calendar and life-cycle rituals, and folk beliefs. The course also presents different theoretical approaches to the interpretation of folk texts as well as emphasizes the influence of folklore on literature, music and art. No knowledge of Russian is required. (Bain, Division III)

225. Dostoevsky: Daydreams and Nightmares

A survey of novels, novellas, and short stores highlighting Dostoevsky's conception of human creativity and imagination. Texts prominently portraying dreams, fantasies, delusions, and visual and aural hallucinations, as well as artists and artistic creations, permit exploration of Dostoevsky's fundamental aesthetic, psychological, and moral beliefs. Readings include The Double, White Nights, Notes from the Underground, The Idiot, The Brothers Daramazov, "The Gentle Creature," and "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man." (Allen)

235. The Social Dynamics of Russian

An examination of the social factors that influence the language of Russian conversational speech, including contemporary Russian media (films, television and the Internet). Basic social strategies that structure a conversation are studied, as well as the implications of gender and education on the form and style of discourse. Prerequisites: Russian 201, 202, may be taken concurrently. (Staff, Division I).

252. The Masterpieces of Russian and Soviet Cinema

This course explores the major trends and most significant works of Russian and Soviet cinema. Emphasis placed on the wildly disparate phases of Soviet and Russian cinema: Russia's early silent films; the innovations of the 1920's; Stalinist cinema; "thaw" films; and post-Soviet experimentation. All films shown with subtitles; no knowledge of Russian required. (Harte)

254. Russian Culture and Civilization in Translation

A history of Russian culture – its ideas, its value and belief systems – from the origins to the present that integrates the examination of works of literature, art and music. (Pahomov, Division I or III)

260. Russian Women Authors in Translation

A study of works in various genres, tracing women’s contributions throughout the history of Russian literature. An examination of thematic and formal characteristics of works by Catherine the Great, Durova, Kovalevskaia, Akhmato-va, Tsvetaeva, Panova, Baranskaia, Tolstaya, and others. All readings and lectures in English. (staff, Division III)

261. The Russian Anti-Novel

A study of 19th- and 20th-century Russian novels focusing on their strategies of opposing or circumventing European literary conventions. Works by Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov and Nabokov are compared to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and other exemplars of the Western novelistic tradition. All readings, lectures and discussions in English. (Allen, Division III)

277. Nabokov in Translation

A study of Vladimir Nabokov's writings in various genres, focusing on his fiction and autobiographical works. The continuity between Nabokov's Russian and English works is considered in the context of the Russian and Western literary traditions. All readings and lectures in English. (Harte, Division III; cross-listed as English 277)

305, 306. Russian Stylistics and Syntax

This course focuses on stylistic variations in oral and written Russian. Examples drawn from contemporary film, television, journalism, fiction, and non-fiction. Emphasis on expansion and refinement of speaking and writing skills. (Pahomov, staff)

310/510. Old Church Slavonic and Old Russian

This advanced undergraduate/graduate seminar introduces students to the language and literary activities of Kyivan Rus (11th-14th century). Students will gain a reading knowledge of Old Church Slavonic and Old Russian sufficient for close reading and anaylsis of such seminal texts as the earliest translations of the Gospels, the Primary Chronicle, Ilarion’s Sermon on Law and Grace, the legend of Boris and Gleb, and others. The political and cultural background of the period will be addressed. Graduate students will be expected to complete additional assignments. Conducted in Russian and English. (Davidson)

330/530. The Structure of Modern Russian I: Phonetics, Phonology, and Morphology

This seminar introduces advanced undergraduates and graduate students to the linguistic structure of contemporary standard Russian. Topics to be discussed include theoretical and practical issues in the description of Russian phonology, phonetics and intonation; verbal and nominal morphology; and accentuation. Graduate students will be expected to complete additional assignments. Con-ducted primarily in Russian. Followed by Russian 331/531. (staff)

331/531. The Structure of Modern Russian II: Syntax, Semantics, Pragmatics

This seminar is the second half of a two-part seminar sequence focusing on the structure of modern Russian from the point of view of English base-language adult foreign language acquisition. The purpose of the seminar is to familiarize participants with the formal and practical description of Russian and to provide tools for the further analysis of the language in learning or teaching Russian as a foreign language, the analysis of literary texts, and the contrastive study of language systems. The course takes note of changing norms within contemporary standard Russian and is of use to advanced students of the language who seek to systematize and broaden their own mastery of Russian, especially in the areas of aspectual semantics, pragmatics, and inter-cultural pragmatics. Lectures and discussions are conducted in Russian and English, depending on the topic of discussion and the interests and the proficiencies of course participants. (staff)

342/542. Russian Culture Today

This seminar focuses on current cultural trends in Russia, with special emphasis on the interplay between various artistic media and post-Soviet Russia’s rapidly developing society. Students will be introduced to contemporary Russian literature, painting, television, film and music while considering such topics as Russia’s ambiguous attitude toward the West, the rise of violence in Russian society and Russia’s evaluation of the past. Discussions in both Russian and English. Prerequisite: Russian 102 or the equivalent. (Harte, Division I or III)

343/543. Russian Avant-Garde Culture: 1890-1935

This seminar focuses on the radical, “avant-garde” transformations that occurred in Russia culture at the beginning of the twentieth century. Particular emphasis will be placed on how the interaction of artists in a variety of artistic media resulted in one of Russian culture’s most innovative periods. Seminar discussion will cover the painting, poetry, prose, music, ballet, and film produced in Russia between 1890 and 1932. Topics include Russia’s reevaluation of its cultural heritage through neo-primitive art, the Russian avant-garde’s mystical, Eastern underpinnings, the primacy of music for avant-garde artists, and the emergence of abstract, dynamic art. (Harte, Division III)

347/547. Qualitative Methods in Second Language Acquisition

This seminar introduces students to qualitative research design and its application in the study of second language acquisition. Considering ethnography as a research paradigm, discussions will critique existing second language acquisition research that is conducted using qualitative methods. This class will also give students an opportunity to apply their theoretical understanding of qualitative methods to the design of their own research project. Prerequisites: Russian 101-102 or above.

365/565. Russian and Soviet Film Culture

This seminar explores the cultural and theoretical trends that have shaped Russian and Soviet cinema from the silent era to the present day.  The focus will be on Russia's films and film theory, with discussion of the aesthetic, ideological, and historical issues underscoring Russia's cinematic culture.  No previous study of cinema required, although Russian 201 or the equivalent is required.

370/570. The Acquisition of Russian as a Second Language

This seminar introduces advanced undergraduate and graduate students to current theoretical and practical issues of Rus- sian second-language acquisition. Topics to be discussed include formal and informal learning, measurement of competencies, standards and assessment issues, and cultural aspects of second-language acquisition. Graduate students will be expected to complete additional assignments. Conducted primarily in Russian. (Davidson)

374/574. The Acquisition and Teaching of Russian Language Skills

This seminar explores theories of the cognitive processes underlying the modalities of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a foreign language. Classes on teaching methods give students an opportunity to apply these theories to the design of lesson plans which would help foreign language students learn and consistently use these skills. This class also addresses other aspects of learning in a formal environment, including classroom testing, assessment, individual learner differences, and learning strategies. (Staff)

375/575. Language Policy Issues and the Russophone World

This seminar provides a brief general introduction to the study of language policy and language planning in the countries of the world with special emphasis on the Russophone world, the Newly Independent States of the Former Soviet Union. The course begins with a survey of current theoretical approaches to bilingualism and language shift (degrees of bilingualism and multilingualism, types of bilingualism, diglossia; concepts and causes of language shift; the role of mother tongue, second language, and foreign language in this process). The seminar then turns to Soviet language and nationality policy with analysis of published census data from the Soviet period through 1989. The final focus of the seminar will fall on the current "language situation" and policy challenges for the renewal of functioning native languages and cultures and maintenance of essential second language competencies, lingua franca both within the Russian Federation and in the "Near Abroad." (Davidson)

380. Seminar in Russian Literature

An examination of a focused topic in Russian literature such as a particular author, genre, theme or decade. Intro- duces students to close reading and detailed critical analysis of Russian literature in the original language. Readings in Russian. Some discussions and lectures in Russian. Topic for 2003-04: the Russian short story. Prerequisites: Russian 201 and one 200-level Russian literature course. (Pahomov, Division III)

390/391. Russian for Pre-Professionals

This capstone to the overall language course sequence is designed to develop linguistic and cultural proficiency in Russian to the "advanced level", preparing students to carry out advanced academic study or research in Russian in a professional field. Prerequisite: RUSS 305-306 or equivalent, certified proficiency levels of 2- or 2 in two skills, one of which must be oral proficiency. Enrollment by invitation of the instructor.

398. Senior Essay

Independent research project designed and conducted under the supervision of a departmental faculty member. May be undertaken in either fall or spring semester of senior year. (staff)

399. Senior Conference

Exploration of an interdisciplinary topic in Russian culture. Topic varies from year to year. Requirements may include short papers, oral presentations and examinations. (Allen)

403. Supervised Work (staff)

The following courses currently offered at Bryn Mawr or Haverford are also of interest to Russian majors:

104. Learning Foreign Languages: An Introduction (staff)

206. International Economics (staff)

216. International Finance and
Economic Policy (staff)

306. Advanced International
Economic Policy (staff)