Courses

    Explores the development and expressions of Jewish cultures across the chronological and geographical map of the Jewish people,k with an emphasis on the variety of Jewish ethnicities and their cultural productions, cultural syncretism, and changes, including such issues as sexuality and foodways. Sets the discussion in relevant contexts, and looks at cultural representations that include literary, religious, and visual texts. Same as JWST 2350. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

    Surveys the major works of 20th century central and central east European film and literature. Examines cultural production in the non-imperial countries and non-national languages of the region including Yiddish, Belarusian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish and Romanian, among others. Traces the rise of nationalism over the course of the century from the age of empires through the "Cold War." Taught in English. Same as JWST 3401.

    Uses transnational lens to explore contemporary debates about Jewish people, places and practices of identity and community; places that Jews have called 'home', and what has made, or continues to make those places 'Jewish'; issues of Jewish homelands and diasporars; gender, sexuality, food and the Jewish body; religious practices in contemporary contexts. Readings drawn primarily from contemporary journalism and scholarship. Same as JWST 3600 and IAFS 3600. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

    Focuses on the critical analysis of the Russian cultural discourse through Russian idioms. Taught in Russian. Same as RUSS 4230.

    Examines the Russian novel and its evolution as well as Western and Russian theories of the novel as they engage and reflect upon the claims of modernity. Taught in English. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as COML 5352.

    Explores major fictional and dramatic texts of great Russian writer Nikolai Vasil'evich Gogol (1809-52) -- "The strangest prose-poet Russia ever produced" (Nabokov). Works will be analyzed in the context of Western and Russian Romanticism. Relevant nonfiction texts will also be introduced when appropriate. Class will be run largely as group discussion, with necessary historical and critical background provided. Taught in English. Recommended prereq., RUSS 4811. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Focuses on close reading of major novels and other works by Dostoevsky, one of the most important psychological novelists in modern literature, a profound religious thinker, and the greatest crime novelist in the world. Taught in English. Same as RUSS 4431.

    Examines the development of Tolstoy's thought and literary style through study of the novel War and Peace and short works from different periods of Tolstoy's writing. Taught in English. Same as RUSS 4441.

    Analyzes the life and creative works of the author of some of the funniest and some of the gloomiest stories in Russian literature. Examines Chekhov's major plays that laid the foundation for modernist theatre. Taught in English. Same as RUSS 4451.

    Examines issues facing women in 20th-21st century Russia, based on study of current events, history, literature, posters and film. Studies images of women as amazons and rebels, salon hostesses and poets, New Soviet Women and women in combat, prostitutes and mothers. Taught in English. Recommended prereq., lower level literature or culture course. Same as RUSS 4471 and WMST 4471.

    May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Taught in English. Same as COML 5830.

    Examines Russian plays of the 20th and 21st centuries (from Chekhov to contemporary authors) in the context of the Western theatre theory. Through the analysis of plays and their theatrical/filmic productions, students will familiarize themselves with main genres of modern drama and most influential directorial styesl from Stanislavsky's "method" to contemporary verbatim theatre. All readings are in English. Prereq., RUSS 2221 or instructor consent. Same as RUSS 4841. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Through structured discussions, selected readings, and written assignments, examines topics in Russian film from socio-historical and cultural studies perspectives. Identification and critical analysis of concepts and assumptions underlying differing cinematic approaches to controversial topics. Taught in English. Same as RUSS 4851.

    Studies themes of grotesque, bizarre, surreal, absurd, supernatural, and fantastic in Russian short stories and novels of the 19th and 20th centuries. Discusses works by Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Kharms, Bulgakov, Siniavskii, Petrushevskaia, and Pelevin, within contexts of Russian folklore, Freud and Jung's interpretations of jokes and dreams, and Romanticism. Recommended prereq., one upper division humanities course. Taught in English. Same as RUSS 4861. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
    May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.