Anna V. Aydinyan

Intensive Introductory Russian

RUSS 111Y

This is an introductory language course that emphasizes language proficiency in all four skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing. After the first year, students will be able to discuss most everyday topics; they will learn essentials of Russian grammar and vocabulary. The course also will introduce students to facts about Russian life, culture, history and geography. The class meets eight hours per week; five hours with the master teacher and three hours with the apprentice teacher. Offered every year.

Intensive Introductory Russian

RUSS 112Y

See course description for RUSS 111Y. RUSS 112Y meets seven hours per week: four with the master teacher and three with the apprentice teacher. Prerequisite: RUSS 111Y or equivalent or permission of instructor. Offered every year.

Intermediate Russian

RUSS 213Y

In this course, students continue their study of the language, concentrating on the development of oral communication and writing skills. Work for the course will involve regular study of new vocabulary, extensive reading, and writing. We will review important aspects of grammar, focusing on communication in a variety of contexts. Students will be introduced to more facts about Russian culture. They will read excerpts from Russian literature. The class meets three times per week with the master teacher and twice per week with the apprentice teacher. Prerequisite: RUSS 111Y–112Y or equivalent. Offered every year.

Intermediate Russian

RUSS 214Y

This course is the required continuation of Intermediate Russian. See course description for RUSS 213Y. Prerequisite: RUSS 111Y–112Y or equivalent.

20th-century Russian Literature in Translation

RUSS 222

This course introduces students to 20th-century Russian literature. Lectures and discussions will focus on works by Chekhov, Zamyatin, Gorky, Nabokov, Bunin, Pasternak and Solzhenitsyn, among others. While our emphasis will be on close readings and analysis of individual texts, we will pay special attention to the artistic conflict resulting from the imposition by the Soviet government of socialist realism. This course examines various genres and their boundaries: novel, drama and short story. The course is taught in English. No prerequisite. Generally offered every other year.

Until It Was No More: The Cold War and the Fall of the USSR in Literature and Film

RUSS 225

How was it possible that the last Soviet generation did not foresee the collapse of its country, and yet when it happened was not surprised by it? Did the workers of the last two decades before perestroika trade social security for political compliance? What role did nationalism and the process of decolonization play in the country's disintegration? Did the Cold War rivalry precipitate its fall? How successful was someone who came of age during perestroika in embracing market relations? While examining the answers to these questions as provided by anthropologists, political scientists and historians, we will also search for insights from Soviet and Post-Soviet literature and film. The grades will be based on participation in class discussions, questions posted by students on the online forum before each class, two presentations of scholarly articles, an analytical term paper 7 double-spaced pages long and a creative group project. The course is taught in English. No prerequisite.

ST: Until It Was No More

RUSS 291

ST:Obsess & Irration Russ Lit

RUSS 291

Advanced Russian

RUSS 321

This course provides advanced students of Russian the opportunity to continue their study of the language, concentrating on the development of four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. To strengthen their writing, students will be required to write several essays during the course of the semester. Work for the course will involve regular study of new vocabulary, reading a variety of texts, and writing essays. This course can be repeated for credit up to 1.0 Kenyon unit. In such a case, permission of the instructor is required. Prerequisite: RUSS 213Y–214Y or permission of instructor. Offered every year.

Advanced Russian Language and Literature

RUSS 322

This course is designed to provide advanced students the opportunity to refine and increase their ability to write, read and speak Russian. Students will review grammatical structures and work on developing written and oral proficiency. Readings and class discussions will center on cultural and literary material, Russian print media and occasional films. A strong emphasis will be placed on a comprehensive grammar review, with special attention to typical topics of difficulty. This course can be repeated for credit up to 1.0 Kenyon unit. In such a case, permission of the instructor is required. Prerequisite: RUSS 213Y–214Y. Offered every year.

Russian Culture through Film

RUSS 340

This course provides an overview of the most significant trends and periods in the development of Russian cinema and introduces students to main cinematic genres and styles. It will concentrate on three major aspects of cinema as an essential part of Russian culture: (1) cinema as art: major directors and productions; (2) myths of the nation: politics and history in Russian cinema; and (3) self and the other: gender, race, ethnicity. New trends in Russian culture also will be considered. The course will be taught in English. No prerequisite. Normally offered every other year.

20th-century Russian Literature

RUSS 352

This course introduces students to 20th century Russian literature. Lectures and discussions will focus on works by Chekhov, Zamyatin, Gorky, Nabokov, Bunin, Pasternak and Solzhenitsyn, among others. While our emphasis will be on close readings and analysis of individual texts, we will pay special attention to the artistic conflict resulting from the imposition by the Soviet government of socialist realism. This course examines various genres and their boundaries: novel, drama and short story. The course will be taught in English. No prerequisite. Normally offered every other year.

IS: Advanced Russian

RUSS 493

This course offers an opportunity to study on an individual basis an area of special interest — literary, cultural or linguistic — under the regular supervision of a faculty member. It is offered primarily to candidates for honors, to majors and, under special circumstances, to potential majors and minors. Individual study is intended to supplement, not to take the place of, regular courses in the curriculum of each language program. Staff limitations restrict this offering to a very few students. To enroll in an individual study, a student must identify a member of the MLL department willing to direct the project, and in consultation with them, write up a one-page proposal for the IS which must be approved by the department chair before the individual study can go forward. The proposal should specify the schedule of reading and/or writing assignments and the schedule of meeting periods. The amount of work in an IS should approximate that required on average in regular courses of corresponding levels. It is suggested that students begin their planning of an IS well in advance, so that they can devise a proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar's deadline. Typically, an IS will earn the student 0.25 or 0.50 units of credit. At a minimum, the department expects the student to meet with the instructor one hour per week. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.