Russian (RUSN)

An exploration of significant questions and concepts, beliefs and creative visions, theories and discoveries in Russian for first-year students. Although topics vary, the courses also seek to improve students' communication skills beyond the written word.

An introduction to Russian, with emphasis on oral skills. Cyrillic alphabet, case structure, verbal usage, building of basic vocabulary and conversational skills, ability to read simplified passages in Russian.

An introduction to Russian, with emphasis on oral skills. Cyrillic alphabet, case structure, verbal usage, building of basic vocabulary and conversational skills, ability to read simplified passages in Russian.

An intensive introduction to the Russian language designed to develop basic communicative competence in speaking and listening and basic competences in reading, writing, as well as comprehension of cultural materials.

The continuation of an Intensive introduction to the Russian language designed to develop basic communicative competence in speaking and listening and basic competencies in reading, writing, as well as comprehension of cultural materials.

An exploration of a specific topic in Russian. A grade of C- or better fulfills the COLL 150 requirement. Although topics vary, the courses emphasize academic writing skills, reading and analysis of texts, and discussion.

Review of Russian grammar, more detailed study of grammatical issues, vocabulary building and word-formation, reading of more complicated, unedited Russian prose texts, elementary composition. Includes significant language lab component, audio and audio- visual materials.

Review of Russian grammar, more detailed study of grammatical issues, vocabulary building and word-formation, reading of more complicated, unedited Russian prose texts, elementary composition. Includes significant language lab component, audio and audio- visual materials.

An intensive intermediate Russian language course designed to develop intermediate communicative competence in speaking and listening and basic competencies in reading, writing, as well as comprehension of cultural materials.

The second part of an intensive intermediate Russian language course sequence designed to develop intermediate communicative competence in speaking and listening and basic competencies in reading, writing, as well as comprehension of cultural materials.

Taught in English. This course examines Russian folklore and folk belief at large, including such genres as the folktale, the epic, the folk song, the riddle, as well as ceremonies linked to seasonal celebrations, etc.  Students also examine other forms of culture and media inspired by Slavic and Russian folklore: paintings, music, literature, ballet, and films.

This number is intended for courses completed in Russia.

Continued study of Russian grammar, weekly writing assignments, readings and conversational drills aim to increase student’s fluency and creativity in using and understanding spoken and written Russian. Significant audio-visual component. This course is taught in Russian. Fulfills computing requirement for Russian and Post-Soviet Studies major.

Continued study of Russian grammar, weekly writing assignments, readings and conversational drills aim to increase student’s fluency and creativity in using and understanding spoken and written Russian. Significant audio-visual component. Conducted in Russian. Fulfills computing requirement for Russian and Post Soviet Studies major.

This course is designed to permit an in-depth study in an area of literature not covered in regularly offered courses.

This course is designed to permit an in-depth study in an area of literature not covered in regularly offered courses.

Taught in English. Exploration of a particular topic in Russian literature and culture.

Taught in English. An in-depth study of a major director, genre, period, or theme in Russian cinema. Lecture and discussion.

Intensive oral-aural training for students who have completed at least three years of college-level Russian study. Especially recommended for students returning to William and Mary after a semester or summer of language study abroad.

An intensive advanced Russian language course designed to develop intermediate-advance communicative competence in speaking and listening and competencies in reading, writing, as well as comprehension of cultural materials.

An intensive advanced Russian language course (part II) designed to develop intermediate/advance communicative competence in speaking and listening and competencies in reading, writing, as well as comprehension of cultural materials.

A survey of Russian Civilization from pre-Christian traditions to the present. Emphasis on the most important historical and artistic elements in Russian Culture. This course is taught in Russian. It includes illustrated lectures, readings, and film.

An introduction to the study of literature in Russia through readings and discussions of representative texts in prose and poetry from the 19th and 20th centuries. Writers studied to include Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Bulgakov, Dovlatov.

The course introduces students to the language of Russian cinema, television, print and the new media. The course consists of three modules: transition to market economy, national identity, and gender relations.

In-depth study of selected topics in Russian Culture, Language, and Literature. Instructor consent is required.

An historical survey of Russian Cinema from the Silent Era to the present, including animated, documentary and feature films. Representative films by Kuleshov, Vertov, Eisenstein, Tarkovsky and others. (Taught in English, no knowledge of Russian required.)

The course introduces students to recent Russian, Ukrainian, Georgian, and Lithuanian cinemas and political culture as its context focusing on 1 Russia’s imperial legacy (Russian and Soviet), 2 Cinemas of Decolonization in Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia, and Georgia.

Love, adultery, and prostitution are key themes of 19th century Russian literature. Works by Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, and Tolstoy addressed these themes in order to come to terms with transforming Russians’ class, religious and cultural identities. Students with advanced language skills, with the consent of instructor, may take a 4th credit for reading and discussions (one additional hour per week) in the original language. This course is taught in English.

The Russian Revolution, the Apocalypse, and the Soviet Utopia became the major themes in 20th century Russian literature. The course examines how the revolutionary and counter-revolutionary sensibilities have influenced Russians’ notions of self, creativity, crime, and romance in works by representative writers such as Babel, Bulgakov, Polevoi, Pasternak, Solzhenitsyn, Marinina, and others.

A study of selected Soviet and post-Soviet Russian writers from the time of "The Thaw" to the present day, with emphasis on the ideological uses (and abuses) of literature in modern Russia. Lecture and discussion. Students with advanced language skills, with the consent of instructor, may take a 4th credit for reading and discussions (one additional hour per week) in the original language.

Exploration of a particular topic in Russian literature or culture.

Exploration of a particular topic in Russian language or culture.

Serving as an introduction to spy fiction in Russia and Western Europe, this course examines major Russian, British, and American contributions to the spy genre in literature, film, and culture. It traces the development of the spy story from its early classical manifestations in works by John Buchan and Eric Ambler, to the present day, represented by bestselling authors Boris Akunin and John Le Carré. Course materials include short stories, novels, films, internet sites, and critical readings. Our discussions will focus on the basic elements of the spy genres, including structure, setting, the spy, the criminal/villain, and the resolution. We will trace the development of the spy from how the earlier practitioners of the genre envisioned the special agent to the complex figure today. Judging by the popularity of espionage thrillers, televised spy dramas, and the daily mention of espionage and hacking in the news media, readers and viewers continue to be fascinated by stories of deception and clandestinity. Through our investigation, we will attempt to determine the reasons behind the global popularity of this genre.

A study of the life and major works (short stories, novellas, plays) of Anton Chekhov. Special attention given to Chekhov’s innovations and experiments with narrative and dramatic forms. Lecture and discussion. Students with advanced language skills, with the consent of instructor, may take a 4th credit for reading and discussions (one additional hour per week) in the original language.

A study of the major prose works, including Crime & Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. Lecture and discussion.

A study of War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Lecture and discussion. Students with advanced language skills, with the consent of instructor, may take a 4th credit for reading and discussions (one additional hour per week) in the original language.

Reading and interpretation of major poetic works from the 19th century to the present, with an emphasis on Pushkin, Tiutchev, Blok, Mandelstam, Akhmatova, and Brodsky.

Topics, which change from year to year, may include an author, a single text or a genre. Conducted entirely in Russian.

This course is designed to permit in-depth study in an area of literature, linguistics or culture not available in current course offerings. A written petition to the instructor and approval of the section coordinator are required before registration.

A mentored teaching internship experience for students to work closely with a faculty member in teaching either a language or content course.