GEOG 232S/POLI 208S 01 Moscow: Politics & Urban Planning
4 credits
Medvedkov, Olga/Hudson, George
Pre-requisites: None
This interdisciplinary course intends to introduce the student to the processes of governing and conducting urban planning in one of the largest and most complex cities in the world--Moscow. By the end of the semester, students will be able to analyze a range of issues, including Moscow’s history, contemporary planning, environmental control, social issues, architecture, and governance. The consideration of these and other issues will help the student to understand how Moscow is facing the difficulties of the transition from the old, communist system to a new one, based upon principles of democracy and a market economy. Time will be spent learning and applying social science methods such as mapping techniques (using Geographical Information Systems), voting behavior analysis, and the preparation for field research in Moscow. Following the conclusion of the class, students will have the opportunity to participate in field research in Moscow for three to four weeks. Students may receive credit for the class in either Political Science or Geography.
NOTES: The course is also cross-listed with POLI 208S. The class may be used to fulfill major or minor requirements in Political Science, Geography, Russian Area Studies, or Urban Studies. Students will be prepared to pursue an optional, follow-up field research experience to take place in Moscow about three-four weeks in May-June 2006.
HIST 252C 1W. Russia Since 1917
4.00 credits
Raffensperger, Christian
Prerequisite: None
Russia in this period is fully enmeshed in European and world history. Over the course of this class we will see Russian troops in Paris and Soviet troops in Berlin, as well as Russian and Soviet activity throughout the world. Russia also goes through a series of dramatic changes in this period from the conservative reaction under Catherine’s son to cycles of reform and reaction throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. That cycle will spark multiple revolutions in 1905-6, and 1917, leading to the birth of the first socialist state. The history of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will occupy most of our time, and we will discuss the building of socialism in one country, as well as the position of the Soviet Union in world affairs. Writing intensive.
HIST 301 1W. Eurasian Nomads in the Ancient and Medieval World
4.00 credits
Raffensperger, Christian
Prerequisite: One course in history or permission of instructor.
Eurasian nomads are part of a variety of histories and historiographies in China, Russia, India, the Middle East, and Europe. But in every one of those cases they primarily exist as an “other,” the “outsider” who raids the settled empire, the “barbarian” who ravages civilization. This class will attempt to change that perspective and focus on the nomads themselves as the actors. Over the course of the semester the class will acquire an understanding of nomadic society and traditions, as well as the various cultures involved in the regions and periods under consideration. They will do in-depth research on one particular steppe culture or people and present that material to the class, with the goal of helping to understand who these Eurasian nomad are, why they acted the way they did, and why history and historians traditionally portray them negatively. Writing intensive.
POLI 204H 01 – Russian Politics
4 credits
Hudson, George
The purpose of this class is to give the student an introduction to the politics of Russia. There are five general goals: (1) to enable the student to write and talk about the area in a well-informed manner; (2) to enable the student to read intelligently about Russia; (3) to aid the student's understanding of the forces which have shaped Soviet and Russian politics; (4) to enable the student to understand Russian and Soviet domestic policies; and (5) to help the student become a better analyst of American press and scholarly treatment of Russian-related issues. A mid-term and final exam plus a ten-page paper are required.
POLI 208S 01 – Moscow: Politics & Planning
4 credits
Hudson, George
This interdisciplinary course intends to introduce the student to the processes of governing and conducting urban planning in one of the largest and most complex cities in the world--Moscow. By the end of the semester, students will be able to analyze a range of issues, including Moscow’s history, contemporary planning, environmental control, social issues, architecture, and governance. The consideration of these and other issues will help the student to understand how Moscow is facing the difficulties of the transition from the old, communist system to a new one, based upon principles of democracy and a market economy. Time will be spent learning and applying social science methods such as mapping techniques (using Geographical Information Systems), voting behavior analysis, and the preparation for field research in Moscow. Following the conclusion of the class, students will have the opportunity to participate in field research in Moscow for three weeks. Students may receive credit for the class in either Political Science or Geography. There are no prerequisites.
NOTES: The course is also cross-listed with GEOG 232S. The class may be used to fulfill major or minor requirements in Political Science, Geography, Russian Area Studies, or Urban Studies. Students will be prepared to pursue an optional, follow-up field research experience to take place in Moscow for three weeks in May-June 2008.
Russian 112F: Elementary Russian II
(5 credits)
Zaharkov, Lila
Prerequisite: Russian 111 or placement
Continuation of 111, practice with conversation and grammatical patterns. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Russian 130: A Taste of Russia/n!
(2 credits)
Zaharkov, Lila
Prequisite: Taught in English. No prerequisite.
Let this course be your initiation into Russian language and culture! Designed for the interested and the intimidated, this class is the perfect preparation for students planning to travel to Russia or those considering language study options. It will demystify Cyrillic, the alphabet of the Russian language and that of the fraternity/sorority system, and help you master phrases for simple social interaction and shopping. You’ll learn to read a menu, street signs, and find your way in the Russian subway. This comprehensive introduction to all things Russian will ready you to enjoy tourist sites and monuments, Russian food, music, and the customs of this fascinating country. No prerequisites. No fear.
Russian 130A/C: Journey Into the Fantastic
(4 credits)
Zaharkov, Lila
Taught in English, no prerequisites
Join us in this course as each hero/ine takes a journey into a fantastic world! While it may be as “normal” as a hero/ine in a fairy tale on a quest, it might be as fantastic as a journey into the future 600 years from now or maybe to another planet! While journeying into the world of the fantastic, readers will be introduced to the best writers of 19th and 20th century Russian literature who use this medium just for fun, or maybe to discover other truths! No Russian is required! All readings, lectures, and discussion in English. Fulfills either the “A” Fine, Performing, and Literary Arts or “C” Non-Western Cultures General Education requirement.
Russian 230: Reading Russian and the Web
(2 credits)
Zaharkov, Lila
Prerequisite: Russian 112 or 106
This course gives you the skills to approach a text. In the first part of the course, students will work in class developing proficiency skills for reading a text using common materials and the web. The second part of the course allows the students to choose what texts they would like to “specialize in” according to their interests or major.
Russian 310 1W: Advanced Conversation & Composition
(4 credits)
Zaharkov, Lila
Prerequisites: Russian 210
This course continues with the text from Russian 210 with more emphasis on role-playing in preparation for study abroad. Required for study abroad programs. Writing intensive.
