Fall Quarter
| Dept |
Course No and Title |
Instructor |
|---|
| RUSSIAN (F12) | 150 19TH C RUSSIAN LIT | MJOLSNESS, L. |
| Nineteenth-century Russia enjoyed one of history's great outpourings of literary creativity. This course is designed to serve as an introduction to classic texts by Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Turgenev, Lermontov, and the author native Russians consider their greatest master, Pushkin. Discussion topics vary widely depending on text, ranging from the dilemmas of modern spirituality and social engineering to the meaning of human love and from the allure of suicide to the existence of God and whether Western culture is leading the world astray. We will also look at Pushkin's fetish for shapely little feet and Tolstoy's look at vengeance, love and trains. We will also examine the development of Russian Formalism, a movement of literary criticism, which focused on the form rather than the content of 19th Century Russian literature. No background in Russian studies expected. Students are expected to write two short thought papers and a final paper. |
| RUSSIAN (F12) | 50 SOVIET ANIMATION | MJOLSNESS, L. |
| Soviet Animation from the 1960s to the 1990s, that is, from the Cold War to Glasnost', was far from child's play. Animation in the former Soviet Union was a medium that allowed for the creation of life other than Soviet reality, despite the strict censorship of ideas during this time period. This course proposes to explore the concepts of the dual audience, ritualized master plots, Disneyfication, and montage. Students will also be introduced to the role of the KGB, the Soviet Underground, International Animation Festivals, the Soiuzmultfilm Animation Studio, and the Communist Party in the creation of animation. Students will become familiarized with the necessary technological aspects of animation, from stop-motion films to CGI, including scripts, storyboards, hand-drawn cells, the role of music and the intertextual relation of other arts and literature to this medium. The animated films will be presented thematically. |
| RUSSIAN (F12) | 1A FUNDAMENTALS | MJOLSNESS, L. |
| This course focuses on speaking, comprehension, reading and writing, with emphasis on the spoken language. In addition the students receive an introduction to Russian social and cultural life. Class work includes weekly sessions in the language laboratory, computer exercises and quizzes. Assignments will consist of written exercises, reading and translation, and oral preparation for classes. Instructions are given in English. Open to non-majors. |
