Language and Democratization in Russia. Russ 312 or placement exam. The course consists of readings and discussion of material covering various spheres of Russian civilization, including history and political structure. Much of the material is taken from original Russian sources. Special attention is paid to current developments in the former Soviet Union as described in the Russian press and other mass media.
Constant attention is paid to developing the students' linguistic skills, especially vocabulary.
A continuation of RUSS 415. 420. Contemporary Russia Through Film. This course will examine Russian's transition to democracy and market economy through the eyes of its most creative and controversial cinematographers. The course will focus on the often agonizing process of changing values and attitudes as the country moves from Soviet to Post-Soviet society. Russian films with English subtitles will be supplemented by readings from contemporary Russian media sources.