Slavic Languages and Literatures
Faculty
Introduction
Certificate in Russian Language
Departmental Honors Program
Overseas Study
Summer Workshop in Slavic and East European Languages
Russian Language House
Secondary Teacher Certification
Major in Slavic Languages and Literatures
Minor in Slavic Languages and Literatures
Course Descriptions
Faculty
Chairperson
Professor Henry R. Cooper, Jr.
Professors
Ronald Feldstein, Steven Franks, Howard Keller, Nina Perlina, Bronislava Volkova
Associate Professors
Andrew Durkin, George Fowler, Dodona Kiziria, Jerzy Kolodziej, Vadim Liapunov
Assistant Professors
Christina Illias, Nyusya Milman, Bozena Shallcross
Lecturer
Laurence R. Richter
Academic Advising
Ballantine Hall 502, (812) 855-2608
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Introduction
The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures (SLAV) offers courses designed to meet a wide range of needs and interests in Russian, Polish, Czech, Serbian and Croatian, and Romanian.
Advanced language courses are designed not only for the department's majors, but also for students specializing in other disciplines, particularly in the social sciences, natural sciences, and other languages and literatures. The department offers literature and culture courses that require no knowledge of a Slavic or East European language and that can be taken by any student interested in the Russian, Slavic, and East European area.
There is an intensive program during the summer that allows coverage of a full year of Russian and other Slavic and East European languages in eight weeks. By attending two such summer sessions in conjunction with a regular course of study, students can cover four years of Russian in two, or two years of another Slavic or East European language in one. Admission to the Summer Workshop in Slavic and East European Languages is required for summer language study.
To ensure proper placement in language courses at all levels, transfer students and those who return to Russian after a lapse of time are required to take a placement examination administered by the department prior to enrolling in a Russian language course.
Majors and prospective majors are urged to consult early with departmental academic advisors concerning the desirability of double majors and the scheduling of strong minors.
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Certificate in Russian Language
A special Russian language certificate program is also available for highly motivated students who have already completed the equivalent of at least three years of college Russian. The program is part of the summer workshop. It extends over four summers and is highly intensive.
A certificate of high competence in the Russian language is granted to those who successfully complete the advanced level. Admission is competitive and requires a written and oral language examination. Participants must reside in the language house, where they speak Russian only. For course details, see R447, R448, and R449, listed below. Credit received for these courses, as well as for the St. Petersburg program (see "Overseas Study" below), may be substituted for language course requirements listed under the three major programs below. The two upper-level courses carry language study two years beyond fourth-year Russian. For conversion of credit, consult the academic advisors.
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Departmental Honors Program
Students planning to undertake graduate work in Slavic languages and literatures are especially encouraged to take the departmental honors course S499 (the topic of which changes from year to year). Additional course work in the honors program should be arranged with the departmental advisor, including honors sections of departmental courses and graduate sections of departmental graduate/undergraduate joint offerings. Outstanding students will also sometimes be invited to enroll in S497 Internship in Slavic.
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Overseas Study
The university co-sponsors the Russian programs administered by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) in St. Petersburg during the academic year and the second summer session. In addition, the department sponsors its own overseas study program in St. Petersburg.
Successful participation in these programs can earn students up to 15 hours of Indiana University credit. For information on these and other overseas study opportunities in Russia and Eastern Europe, contact the Office of Overseas Study, Franklin Hall 303, (812) 855-9304.
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Summer Workshop in Slavic and East European Languages
The department's summer workshop offers students an opportunity to accelerate their learning of Russian by covering the equivalent of a year of college Russian in eight weeks of intensive study and practice. Two summers of study in the workshop combined with two years of regular Russian language courses are equal to four years of non-intensive Russian language courses. In addition, the workshop regularly offers intensive courses in other Slavic, East European, Caucasian, and Central Asian languages.
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Russian Language House
In cooperation with the Halls of Residence, when enrollments allow, the department maintains a housing unit for students who have a common interest in Russian language and culture. There is a weekly "Russian tea" as well as films, lectures, and other special events. For further information, contact the departmental office.
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Secondary Teacher Certification
Candidates for teaching certification should see "Additional Programs, Education" in this bulletin and consult the departmental academic advisors.
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Major in Slavic Languages and Literatures
The Russian Track
Purpose
This track is designed for students seeking advanced study of the Russian language and/or Russian literature in the original (option 1), or basic Russian-language knowledge and familiarization with Russian literature and culture in translation (option 2). Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- R201-R202, R301-R302; R223, R263-R264; and either line 2 or 3.
- Option 1, Russian Language and/or Literature: R401, R402 (P: R401), R403 (P: R401), R404, R405, R406, R407, R408, R470, R472 (any four).
- Option 2, Russian Literature and Culture in Translation: R334, R345, R349, R352.
Total: 33 credits.
The Slavic Track
Purpose
This track is designed for students seeking a basic knowledge of a Slavic language other than Russian, and familiarization with its literature and culture in English translation. In addition, students either do work in another Slavic literature or culture in English translation (including Russian), or study another Slavic language (including Russian). Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. These courses will not count toward a major in the Russian Track.
- Czech Option: C101-C102, C201-C202, C363-C364; and line 4.
- Polish Option: P101-P102, P201-P202, P363-P364; and line 4.
- Serbian and Croatian Option: S101-S102, S201-S202, S363-S364; and line 4.
- R353 and any three other departmental language, literature, film, or culture courses at the 200 level or higher.
Total: 32 credits.
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Minor in Slavic Languages and Literatures
Requirements
Five courses in Slavic languages and literatures, totaling 15 College of Arts and Sciences credit hours, at the 200 level or above, of which at least 9 credit hours must be numbered 223 or above.
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Course Descriptions
Russian Language
R101-R102 Elementary Russian I-II (4-4 cr.) P for R102: C or better in R101 or equivalent. Introduction to contemporary Russian and aspects of Russian culture. Intensive drill and exercises in basic structure; development of vocabulary. Classes supplemented by one hour of drill and work in Language Laboratory. It is recommended that majors take R121-R122 concurrently.
R115 Accelerated Russian I (4 cr.) Intensive introduction to Russian in first summer session, five hours a day/five days a week for students preparing to do advanced work in Summer Workshop in Slavic and East European Languages (SWSEEL) in the second summer session. Permission of instructor required to register.
R121-R122 Oral Russian I-II (1-1 cr.) C for R121: R101. Emphasis on pronunciation, intonation, and developing oral fluency on topics covered in R101-R102. Highly recommended for Russian majors.
R165 Accelerated Russian II (4 cr.) Continuation of R115, also in first summer session. To enroll, students must have a minimum grade of B in R115. Students finishing with a minimum grade of B should enroll in the Summer Workshop in Slavic and East European Languages (SWSEEL) Level 4 (R444).
R201-R202 Intermediate Russian I-II (3-3 cr.) P: C or better in R102 or equivalent. C or better in R201 is prerequisite for R202. Continuation of work in structure and vocabulary acquisition through study of grammar, drills, and readings. Oral practice and written exercises. It is recommended that majors take R221-R222 concurrently.
R221-R222 Intermediate Oral Russian I-II (2-2 cr.) P: R121-R122 or equivalent. Emphasis on expanding communications skills. Highly recommended for Russian majors.
R301-R302 Advanced Intermediate Russian I-II (3-3 cr.) P: C or better in R202, R222. Morphological, lexical, and syntactic analysis of a broad spectrum of textual materials with special emphasis on meaning. Development of oral and written fluency and comprehension. Remedial grammar and phonetics as required. Recitation classes supplemented by lab and discussion sections.
R307 Readings in Russian Expository Prose (2 cr.) P: R202 or equivalent. Vocabulary and reading skills development and translation techniques. Materials in Russian culture, civilization, and physical and social sciences according to section needs. I Sem.
R398 Special Credit in Slavic Languages (1-8 cr.) Students who successfully complete advanced Russian institutes at other universities, or special technical language programs, or the CIEE programs at St. Petersburg or similar programs in other Slavic or East European countries, or who skip sequential courses by advanced placement, will be given corresponding undistributed credit as certified by the department. May be repeated for a maximum of 14 credit hours.
R401-R402 Advanced Russian I-II (3-3 cr.) P: B or better in R302. Refinement of active and passive language skills, with emphasis on vocabulary building and word usage. Extensive reading, discussion, composition writing. Individualized remedial drill in grammar and pronunciation aimed at preparing students to meet departmental language proficiency standards. Recitation class supplemented by lab and conversation sections.
R403 Russian Phonetics (3 cr.) SHSI P: R302 or equivalent. Elements of articulatory and acoustical phonetics and their application to a comparative study of Russian and English sound systems. Methods in teaching pronunciation and intonation. Error analysis and correction of student's own pronunciation in lab and drill sections. II Sem.
R404 Structure of Russian (3 cr.) SHSI Systematic description and analysis of the structure of modern Russian phonology, morphology, and word formation. Comparison to elements of English grammar is included.
R405-R406 Readings in Russian Literature I-II (3-3 cr.) AHLA P: R302 or equivalent. R: R263, R264. Reading in the original of important Russian literary works of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Discussion and analysis of the works. R405, I Sem.; R406, II Sem.
R407-R408 Readings in Russian Culture, History, and Society I-II (3-3 cr.) AHTI P: R302 or equivalent. Extensive translation from the original of selected works on Russian history, government, music, folklore, geography, culture. Discussion of both linguistic problems and content. R407, I Sem., SS; R408, II Sem.
R431 Intensive Russian-Oral (2 cr.) Designed to improve oral fluency. Coordinated with the Summer Slavic Workshop grammar classes. Sections in conversation, recitation, and oral comprehension are supplemented by lab and by drill in corrective pronunciation, dictation, and reading. SS.
R434 Intensive Russian-Phonetics (1 cr.) Elements of articulatory and acoustical phonetics and their application to a comparative study of Russian and English sound systems. Methods in teaching pronunciation and intonation. Error analysis and correction of student's own pronunciation in lab and drill sections. SS.
R441 Intensive Russian, Level 1 (10 cr.) Intensive summer equivalent of R101 and R102.
R442 Intensive Russian, Level 2 (7 cr.) Intensive summer equivalent of R102 and R201.
R443 Intensive Russian, Level 3 (7 cr.) Intensive summer equivalent of R201 and R202.
R444 Intensive Russian, Level 4 (7 cr.) Intensive summer equivalent of R202 and R301.
R445 Intensive Russian, Level 5 (7 cr.) Intensive summer equivalent of R301 and R302.
R446 Intensive Russian, Level 6 (7 cr.) Intensive summer equivalent of R302 and R401.
R447 Intensive Russian, Level 7 (7 cr.) Intensive summer equivalent of R401 and R402. First level of certificate program in Russian. Topic: the lexicon.
R448 Intensive Russian, Level 8 (10 cr.) Intensive Russian at the fifth-year level. Second level of certificate program in Russian. Topic: syntax.
R449 Intensive Russian, Level 9 (10 cr.) Intensive Russian at the sixth-year level. Third level of certificate program in Russian. Topic: stylistics.
R470 Political Russian (3 cr.) The course is designed for advanced Russian students who are oriented toward economics and politics. In particular, this would target juniors and seniors seeking experience in political science or political studies. The goal of the course is to develop the student's functional proficiency in all basic language skills: reading, listening, speaking. The topics covered will include, but will not be limited to, official visits, international negotiations, economics, national security, arms control, etc. Students will be exposed to authentic materials such as newspaper articles, audiotape excerpts from news broadcasts, and the like.
R472 Business Russian (3 cr.) P: placement above third year or consent of instructor. Acquisition of vocabulary and construction characteristic of business Russian. Reading of background literature. Special attention will be given to study of culture in business and non-business situations.
R491-R492 Russian for Graduate Students I-II (4-4 cr., undergrad.; 3-3 cr., grad.) Mastery of basic grammar followed by vocabulary building. Active control of Russian structure needed for productive reading; emphasis on problems of translation. Open with consent of instructor to undergraduates about to complete the B.A. requirement in another foreign language. R491, I Sem.; R492, II Sem.
S497 Internship in Slavic (1-3 cr.) P: major standing, minimum GPA of 3.0, 12 credit hours in Slavic at 300 level or above, and prior arrangement with faculty member or editor. Supervised experience in teaching undergraduate Slavic course or in editing departmentally based journal or allied publication. May be repeated once for credit for a total of 6 credits.
S498 Supervised Individual Reading (1-3 cr.) P: R302 or equivalent, consent of instructor. Reading, in the original, of materials in field of Slavic studies of particular interest to student. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
S499 Senior Honors Seminar (6 cr. max.) P: approval of the departmental honors committee.
Russian Literature and Culture in English Translation
Knowledge of Russian not required.
R223 Introduction to Russian Culture (3 cr.) AHTI, CSA Survey of development of Russian culture and thought from medieval Russia to the present, as seen primarily through literature and the arts. No knowledge of Russian is necessary.
R263 Pushkin to Dostoevsky (3 cr.) AHLA, CSA The golden age of the Russian novel; its social, cultural, and economic context; the flowering of art and music; the rise of the metropolis in association with poverty, alienation, quest for identity (both national and personal), as reflected in the romantic and realistic works of Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev, and Dostoevsky. Knowledge of Russian not required.
R264 Tolstoy to Solzhenitsyn (3 cr.) AHLA, CSA 1880 to present, a period of profound political, social, and intellectual ferment; the Bolshevik Revolution, Civil War, collectivization, the Stalinist purges, World War II. Works of officially accepted writers as well as dissenters to be discussed; from Tolstoy to Solzhenitsyn, from revolutionary fervor and violence to concentration camps. Knowledge of Russian not required.
R334 Tolstoy and Dostoevsky (3 cr.) AHLA, CSA Two giants of world literature who have shaped not only modern cultural history but philosophy and politics as well. Major works of each author will be read within an international perspective. Knowledge of Russian not required.
R345 Jewish Characters in Russian Literature (3 cr.) AHLA, CSA The "Jewish question," the identity and self-identity of Jewish characters from the standpoints of literary analyses, cultural ethnography, folklore and religious studies, and social and political history. Literary works of major nineteenth- and twentieth-century Russian writers provide the primary sources for the discussions.
R349 Myth and Reality: Women in Russian Literature and in Life (3 cr.) AHLA, CSA The roles, creations, and status of women in Russian and cross-cultural perspectives; and historical, literary, and social roles of Russian women. Major female characters of classical Russian literature and works of the most substantial Russian women writers will be studied. Special attention will be paid to the current situation in Russian literature and society.
R352 Russian and Soviet Film (3 cr.) AHLA, CSA Development of Russian cinematography from 1896 to the present. The characteristic features of Soviet films; the theory and practice of filmmaking in the Soviet Union; the Soviet cinema in its relationship to Russian literature, in the larger context of European cinema art. Knowledge of Russian not required. II Sem.
R353 Central European Cinema (3 cr.) AHLA, CSA Broad cultural overview of Central European cinema, highlighting major developments of cinema in Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and the former Republics of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia in the post-Stalin era. Special attention will be given to the individual style and aesthetics of several major film directors.
Other Slavic and East European Languages
A101-A102 Elementary Albanian I-II (4-4 cr.) No previous knowledge of Albanian required. Introduction of basic structure of contemporary Albanian language and culture. Reading and discussion of basic texts. A101 and A102, SS.
B101-B102 Elementary Bulgarian I-II (4-4 cr.) No previous knowledge of Bulgarian required. Introduction to basic structure of contemporary Bulgarian language and culture. Reading and discussion of basic texts. B101, I Sem.; B102, II Sem., SS.
C101-C102 Elementary Czech I-II (4-4 cr.) No previous knowledge of Czech required. Introduction to basic structure of contemporary Czech language and to culture. Reading and discussion of basic texts. C101, I Sem.; C102, II Sem., SS.
C201-C202 Second-Year Czech I-II (3-3 cr.) P: C102 or permission of department. Continuation of work in structure and vocabulary acquisition through written exercises, study of word formation, drills, reading and discussion of short stories. C201, I Sem.; C202, II Sem.
C301-C302 Advanced Intermediate Czech I-II (3-3 cr.) Development of oral and written fluency and comprehension in Czech language based on morphological, lexical, and syntactical analysis of contemporary textual materials. Credit not given for both C301 and C471, or for both C302 and C472.
G101-G102 Elementary Georgian I-II (4-4 cr.) These courses cover every aspect of Georgian grammar (phonology, morphology, and syntax). By the completion of the courses students should be able to read average unadapted Georgian texts (both fiction and non-fiction) with the aid of a dictionary. During the semester students will be encouraged to practice with a basic Georgian vocabulary in order to develop conversational skills. G101, I Sem.; G102, II Sem., SS.
K101-K102 Elementary Slovene I-II (4-4 cr.) Intensive study of the structure of Slovene, for reading knowledge of language.
M101-M102 Elementary Romanian I-II (4-4 cr.) No previous knowledge of Romanian required. Introduction to basic structure of contemporary Romanian language and to culture. Reading and discussion of basic texts. M101, I Sem.; M102, II Sem., SS.
M201-M202 Intermediate Romanian I-II (3-3 cr.) P: M102 or permission of department. Continuation of work in structure and vocabulary acquisition through written exercises, study of word formation, drills, reading, and discussion of short stories. M201, I Sem.; M202, II Sem.
P101-P102 Elementary Polish I-II (4-4 cr.) Introduction to modern standard Polish, reading, writing, and speaking. Focus on learning grammatical patterns and building an active vocabulary. P101, I Sem.; P102, II Sem., SS.
P201-P202 Intermediate Polish I-II (3-3 cr.) P: P102 or permission of department. Continuation of work in structure and vocabulary acquisition through written exercises, study of word formation, drills, reading, and discussion of short stories. P201, I Sem.; P202, II Sem.
P301-P302 Advanced Intermediate Polish I-II (3-3 cr.) P: P202 or equivalent proficiency. Morphological, lexical, and syntactical analysis of a broad spectrum of textual materials with special emphasis on meaning. Development of oral and written fluency and comprehension.
S101-S102 Elementary Serbian and Croatian I-II (4-4 cr.) No previous knowledge of Serbian or Croatian required. Introduction to basic structure of contemporary Serbian and Croatian language and to culture. Reading and discussion of basic texts. S101, I Sem.; S102, II Sem., SS.
S201-S202 Intermediate Serbian and Croatian I-II (3-3 cr.) P: S102 or permission of department. Continuation of work in structure and vocabulary acquisition through written exercises, study of word formation, drills, reading and discussion of short stories. S201, I Sem.; S202, II Sem.
S301-S302 Advanced Intermediate Serbian and Croatian I (3 cr.) P: S202 or equivalent proficiency. Reading of literary texts from a variety of periods and locations in the Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian speech area. Sequence of readings in original parallels syllabus of S363-S364 in translation. Review of grammar, syntax, and expansion of lexicon as needed.
V101-V102 Elementary Slovak I-II (4-4 cr.) Course develops proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students are taught phonetic transcription. Grammatical concepts are introduced and reinforced through exercise drills and conversation. All of the cases are presented along with all verbal tenses. Special attention is devoted to verbal aspect in Slovak.
Other Slavic Literatures and Cultures in English Translation
Knowledge of Slavic languages not required.
C363-C364 Literature and Culture of the Czechs and Slovaks I-II (3-3 cr.) AHTI, CSA Survey of Czech and Slovak cultures and history, emphasizing relation to the other Slavic peoples and to Western Europe. Readings and lectures in English. C363, I Sem.; C364, II Sem.
P223 Introduction to Polish Culture (3 cr.) AHTI, CSA Survey of Polish culture from the origins of the Polish state to modern times. Important historical, political, and social developments and trends as seen through literature, art, science, music, architecture, and political documents. Knowledge of Polish not required.
P363-P364 Survey of Polish Literature and Culture I-II (3-3 cr.) AHTI, CSA I: Polish literature in English translation from its origins to the end of the nineteenth century in its historical and socio-political context. II: Polish literature in English translation from the end of the nineteenth century to the present in the larger European context. Knowledge of Polish not required. P363, I Sem.; P363, II Sem.
P365 Topics in Polish Literature and Culture (3 cr.) AHLA P: P364 or consent of instructor. Discussion of the verbal-visual relationship as presented in Polish literature and in major theoretical works. Knowledge of Polish not required.
S223 Introduction to Balkan and South Slavic Cultures (3 cr.) AHTI, CSA Survey of the cultures of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, and Romania, concentrating on the modern period. Lectures and readings in English.
S363-S364 Literature and Culture of the Southern Slavs I-II (3-3 cr.) AHTI, CSA Survey of the history and cultures of the Croats, Slovenes, Serbs, Macedonians, and Bulgarians from prehistory to the present. Readings and lectures in English. S363, I Sem.; S364, II Sem.
Related Courses
See listings under "Russian and East European Institute."
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