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.

This course focuses on mastering the basics of Russian grammar and developing written and oral skills. Students will read exerpts from Russian newspapers and from literary texts, watch videos and compose essays on specific topics. Prerequisite: Russian 1A, B, C or permission of instructor. Instructions are given both in English and Russian. Open to non-majors.

Gender Issues in Russian Culture

This course will investigate the concepts of gender and sexuality in Russian culture. Russia can be viewed both as a society composed of strong women and weak men, and conversely as a male dominated society with subservient women. In the 18th century, as well as the 1920s, outsiders often saw Russia as a land of free love. In addition, the "social engineering" of the 1917 Revolution attempted to reorder the family unit and to enforce equality between the sexes. Themes that will be covered in this class are androgyny, cross-dressing, love triangles, male anxiety and the life after love.

Dostoevsky and the Novel

This course will focus on the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky and will highlight his influence on 20th century literature and film. Reading for this class will include three novels by Dostoevsky: Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov. The goal of this course is to encourage the exploration of one of Russia’s greatest novelists and public figures. An understanding of Dostoevsky is an essential component of an understanding of nineteenth century Russia, and arguably of Russian
culture, and Russian intellectual and cultural history.