RUS 420Senior Seminar in Russian Culture

3 credits · Russian · Penn State

Senior seminar devoted to topics in Russian culture and conducted in Russian. Building on linguistic and cultural material covered in the second and third levels of study toward the Russian major, this course is designed to add depth and sophistication to the students' understanding of basic concepts in Russian culture and improve their ability to discuss and write about them in Russian. The course materials cover, selectively, the "big themes" and concepts of Russian culture, such as the legacy of Kievan Rus, the cultural/historical preconditions for the 'Third Rome' theory, the rift between the people and the upper classes following Peter the Great, Westernizers versus Slavophiles, the Bolshevik Revolution, the Stalinist terror, WWII, the Thaw, Stagnation, Perestroika, and Putinism. Study materials include texts from a wide variety of genres and reflect a diversity of linguistic styles. They may incorporate passages from the ancient chronicles, folk legends, memoirs and autobiographies, as well as selections from historical and literary texts and films. Major artistic movements are considered in their connection to the respective historic period and their reception today. Students will also engage in brief weekly current events presentations. Frequent quizzes, participation in discussions, presentations, and research projects will be essential means to explore the subject matter and assess the students¿ progress. Students must complete RUS 100 , RUS 401 , and RUS 402 or RUS 403 prior to RUS 420 or receive permission of the program.