GEOG 250 1W Russia & Central Eurasia
4 credits
Medvedkov, Olga
Prerequisites: Â None
For the first time in all Russian history geography speaks for itself. After the disintegration of the Soviet Empire regions became exceedingly important in this highly centralized state. The current government is trying to reestablish control over the regions. Who will win in this geo-political game? Will Russia become a democratic state or it will pull back to the dictatorship? Will newly independent states like Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan gravitate to Russian economic and political domain or create new alliances with other bordering countries? We will discuss it throughout the course. The class will be focused on changing space economy, environmental and population issues, national identity problems, political orientation in different regions of the post-Soviet space. This course has a lecture-discussion-project format. Students are expected to complete several map assignments, participate in class discussions, and to write a final paper on major topics.
HIST 240H 1W Topic: Medieval Eastern Europe
4 credits
Raffensperger, Chris
Prerequisites: None
This class will deal with a different medieval Europe than is traditionally covered - the medieval Slavic world. The East, West, and South Slavs were involved to differing degrees in Western European affairs, but they had their own kingdoms, empires, wars, marriages, cities, etc. It is this Slavic world that will be examined in this class, particularly in the period from the ninth through the fifteenth centuries. During that time we will see pan-European interaction, transition to regionalism, and eventually into an early East-West divide based in three factors: religious division, Mongol occupation or control, and internal cohesion (or lack thereof). The history of medieval Eastern Europe, is a key part of wider European history that sets up the divisions into the more familiar Eastern and Western European worlds.
NOTE:Â This course counts toward the PAST minor.
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. 10/11
Russian 112F Beginning 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 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 262/1.2 Art of Translation
2 credits
Zaharkov, Lila
Prerequisites: Russian 263
Introduction to the practice of good translation including more advanced topics in Russian grammar such as verbs of motion, verbal aspect and verb. Special attention to idiomatic expressions and formulaic speech patterns.Â
Russian 264/1.1 Voices from the Past
2 credits
Zaharkov, Lila
Prerequisites: Â Russian 260
Students will study the main currents of Russian history through readings, biographies, and films. Additional grammatical topics for reading Russian will be included.
