Slavic Languages and Literatures (SLAVIC)

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu/.

Courses

SLAVIC R5A Reading and Composition 4 Units

Reading and composition course based on works of Russian and other Slavic writers, either written in English or translated into English. As students develop strategies of writing and interpretation, they will become acquainted with a particular theme in Russian and/or Slavic literatures and their major voices. R5A satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement, and R5B satisfies the second half.

SLAVIC R5B Reading and Composition 4 Units

Reading and composition course based on works of Russian and other Slavic writers, either written in English or translated into English. As students develop strategies of writing and interpretation, they will become acquainted with a particular theme in Russian and/or Slavic literatures and their major voices. R5A satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement, and R5B satisfies the second half.

SLAVIC 24 Freshman Seminar 1 Unit

The Freshman Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small-seminar setting. Freshman seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to 15 freshmen.

SLAVIC 36 Great Books of Russian Literature 3 Units

Readings in English of representative texts from the Russian literary tradition. Variable topics.

SLAVIC 39C Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 - 4 Units

Freshman and Sophomore seminars offer lower-division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.

SLAVIC 39E Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 - 4 Units

Freshman and Sophomore seminars offer lower-division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.

SLAVIC 39L Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 - 4 Units

Freshman and Sophomore seminars offer lower-division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.

SLAVIC 39M Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 - 4 Units

Freshman and Sophomore seminars offer lower-division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.

SLAVIC 39N Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 - 4 Units

Freshman and Sophomore seminars offer lower-division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty, but the suggested limit is 25.

SLAVIC 45 Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature 3 Units

Development of Russian literature from Pushkin to Chekhov. No knowledge of Russian required. Prerequisite to admission to the Slavic major and recommended for prospective graduate students.

SLAVIC 46 Twentieth-Century Russian Literature 3 Units

Development of Russian literature from 1900 to the present: modernism, Soviet, and literature. No knowledge of Russian required. Prerequisite to admission to the Slavic major and recommended for prospective graduate students.

SLAVIC 50 Introduction to Russian/East European/Eurasian Cultures 3 Units

This course introduces students to the cultures of the peoples of the former Soviet bloc (Russia and other areas of the former Soviet Union, including Central Asia and the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe), from early times to the present, with the emphasis on cultural identity. Readings in history, fiction, folklore, viewing of films, and art works. Thematic units include: formation of the Russian civilization, Slavic nationalism in the Romantic era, empire and identity in Eastern/Central Europe; Soviet and post-Soviet daily life, Jews in Slavic lands, the former Yugoslavia; multi ethnic lands. Required of majors in Russian/East European/Eurasian cultures, the course is also aimed at a broad audience. Knowledge of the languages of the area is not required.

SLAVIC 98 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Group study of selected topics not covered by regularly scheduled courses.

SLAVIC 99 Individual Study 1 - 4 Units

Supervised independent study for lower division students with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

SLAVIC 100 Seminar: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Cultures 4 Units

An in-depth study of cultural history, literature, language, and society of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Variable topics. Course readings include primary texts (literature, film, popular culture, journalism) and scholarly studies. Course work emphasizes students' research. Required of all majors in the Slavic department. Final research paper of 10-20 pages required.

SLAVIC 130 The Culture of Medieval Rus' 4 Units

Introduction to the cultures of East Slavic peoples in the Middle Ages, including history, mythology, Christian religious culture, literature (writing), icon painting, and architecture.

SLAVIC 131 Literature, Art, and Society in 20th-Century Russia 4 Units

A lecture course examining Russian literature and culture in the 20th century. The course will focus on the interaction of literature, other artistic forms (painting, photography, or film), and broader social and ideological changes in one of the key transitional periods of the 20th century. Periods to be examined include the transition to Communism in the post-revolutionary 20s and the retreat from Communism (the perestroika 80s and the post-Communist 90s). No knowledge of Russian is required.

SLAVIC 132 Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and the English Novel 4 Units

A reading of novels by Dostoevsky and Tolstoy along with some relevant English novels. We will look at how the Russian and English novels respond to each other, resemble each other, and differ from each other, especially in their treatment of childhood, family, love, social theory, spirituality, and narrative.

SLAVIC 133 The Novel in Russia and the West 4 Units

Study of major Russian and Western (European and American) 19th- and 20th-century novels, and their interrelations. Variable reading list. See Department announcement for description.

SLAVIC 134A Gogol 4 Units

Gogol's fiction and plays, treated in relation to his life and to developments in Russian and European literature. Extensive outside reading required for this course.

SLAVIC 134C Dostoevsky 4 Units

A survey of the writer's principal artistic works, treated in relation to his life and to developments in Russian and European literature. Extensive outside reading required for this course.

SLAVIC 134D Tolstoy 4 Units

A survey of the writer's principal artistic works, treated in relation to his life and to developments in Russian and European literature. Extensive outside reading required for this course.

SLAVIC 134E Chekhov 4 Units

Studies in the innovative master of modern narrative forms: short story, drama, letter. Extensive exposure to the life and times of Anton Chekhov. Practice in critical approaches to literature and theater. Writing-intensive course.

SLAVIC 134F Nabokov 4 Units

A thorough examination of Nabokov's work as a novelist, critic, and memoirist. Explores Nabokov's fiction from his European and American periods, his (imagined) relation to literary predecessors, and his construct of an authorial self. Extensive outside reading required for this course.

SLAVIC 134G Tolstoy and Dostoevsky 4 Units

A reading of major works by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky in the context of Russian and European philosophy and religious thought. Extensive outside reading required. Variable content.

SLAVIC 134R Research in Russian Literature 1 Unit

Special research project to be coordinated with lecture course in the Slavic 134 series (SLAVIC 134A-B-C-D-E-F-G-N). Supervised by the instructor of the lecture course in which the student is also enrolled. Final research paper of 10-15 pages required.

SLAVIC 137 Introduction to Slavic Linguistics 3 Units

An introduction to the Slavic languages, their structures and histories, and descriptive and theoretical principles for their analysis. The origin and ancient history of the Slavs.

SLAVIC C137 Introduction to Slavic Linguistics 4 Units

An introduction to best practices in applying linguistic analysis to Slavic languages. Development of critical thinking and analytical skills.

SLAVIC 138 Topics in Russian and Soviet Film 4 Units

This course will examine the Russian contribution to film history and theory, with particular attention paid to the role of the cinema in Soviet culture and Russian films complex ties to literary and political movements. Variable topics.

SLAVIC C139 Language Spread 3 Units

Linguistic background and the general principles of language spread. Mechanisms of language spread, including creolization-decreolization, language planning, and the role of bilingualism. Case studies in language spread, including Austronesian, Indo-European, Amerindian, Uralic, African, Sinitic, and Australian languages. Relationship of language spread to immigration and culture spreads.

SLAVIC 140 The Performing Arts in Russia and Eastern Europe 4 Units

The course will examine the Russian and East European contribution to the practice and theory of the performing arts, especially (but not exclusively) theater. The course emphasizes the involvement of the performing arts in the social and cultural fabric.

SLAVIC 147A East Slavic Folklore 3 Units

Folktales, epic songs, customs, and beliefs of Russians and Ukrainians.

SLAVIC 147B Balkan Folklore 3 Units

Folktales, epic songs, customs, and beliefs of the South Slavs and other Balkan peoples.

SLAVIC 147R Slavic Studies Research 1 Unit

Special research project to be coordinated with lecture course for Slavic 147. Supervised by the instructor of the lecture course in which the student is also enrolled. Final research paper of 10-15 pages required.

SLAVIC 148 Topics in Russian Cultural History 4 Units

This course examines various dimensions of Russian culture--social, political, artistic, literary--in public and private life. The theory and method of cultural studies will be addressed, as well as concrete historical material pertaining to Russia. Topic and period variable. Instruction and texts in English, but students with a working knowledge of Russian are encouraged to do some reading in the original.

SLAVIC 150 Polish Literature and Intellectual Trends 3 Units

A survey of the major writers, works, and trends of the Polish literary tradition from the Middle Ages to the present. Special attention devoted to the Renaissance, the age of Romanticism, and the modern period. No knowledge of Polish required.

SLAVIC 151 Readings in Polish Literature 4 Units

Selected readings in Polish tailored to the academic interests of students enrolled.

SLAVIC 158 Topics in East European/Eurasian Cultural History 4 Units

This course examines various dimensions of different East European and Eurasian (Central Asia, the Caucasus, Siberia) cultures (history, society, languages, literature, art). Variable topics. Instruction and readings in English; students with knowledge of the languages of the area are encouraged to do some reading in the original language.

SLAVIC 170 Survey of Yugoslav Literatures 3 Units

Outline of major developments in Serbian (including Montenegrin) and Croatian (including Dalmatian) literatures from the beginnings to the present. No knowledge of Serbian/Croatian required.

SLAVIC 171 Readings in Yugoslav Literatures 4 Units

Selected readings in Serbian/Croatian, tailored to the academic interests of students enrolled.

SLAVIC 172 Topics in Serbian/Croatian 3 Units

Studies in Serbian/Croatian literatures, linguistics, or conversation, depending on the needs of the students enrolled.

SLAVIC 181 Readings in Russian Literature 4 Units

Study and analysis of the development of the Russian literary language and short fiction from the eighteenth century to the present.

SLAVIC 182 Pushkin 4 Units

A survey of the writer's principal artistic works, treated in relation to his life and to developments in Russian and European literature.

SLAVIC 190 Russian Culture Taught in Russian: Country, Identity, and Language 4 Units

Based on a wide range of sources from the 19th and 20th centuries--works of fiction, publicistics, personal documents--the course will trace the formation and historical transformation of Russian cultural identity, including issues in national identity, ethnicity, position in relation to state, gender, and sexuality. The class is aimed at students with advanced knowledge of Russian, both Americans studying Russian and Russians living in America. All readings, lectures, and discussions in Russian.

SLAVIC H195 Honors Seminar 4 Units

Study and research on a topic selected by the student in consultation with the faculty adviser, to culminate in the writing of a thesis. See departmental description of the Honors Program.

SLAVIC 198 Supervised Group Study for Undergraduates 1 - 4 Units

Supervised cooperative study of topics (in Slavic and East European languages and literatures) not covered by regularly scheduled courses.

SLAVIC 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 4 Units

SLAVIC 200 Graduate Colloquium 0.0 Units

Reports on current scholarly work by faculty and graduate students.

SLAVIC 210 Old Church Slavic 4 Units

Introduction to Old Church Slavic, with special attention to inflexional morphology. Assigned translations and sight reading of selected texts.

SLAVIC 214 Medieval Orthodox Slavic Texts 4 Units

Assigned translations and sight reading of selected Medieval Orthodox Slavic texts.

SLAVIC 220 Comparative Slavic Linguistics 4 Units

Reconstruction of Common Slavic phonology and morphology in relation to Indo-European and modern Slavic languages.

SLAVIC 222 Descriptive Grammar of Slavic Languages 4 Units

Survey of morphology and syntax of a contemporary Slavic language (Czech, Polish, Russian, or Serbian/Croatian); see departmental announcement for topic. Recommended for prospective teachers.

SLAVIC 223 Advanced Structure of Slavic Languages: Grammatical Analysis and Theory 4 Units

Analysis of synchronic grammar and structure of discourse of a Slavic language (Czech, Polish, Russian, or Serbian/Croatian) with attention to theoretical models; see Department announcement for topic.

SLAVIC 230 Historical Grammar of Slavic Languages 4 Units

Historical phonology, morphology, and syntax of a Slavic language (Czech, Polish, Russian, or Serbian/Croatian). Some coverage of dialectology. See Department announcement for topic.

SLAVIC 231 History of Slavic Literary Languages 4 Units

Analysis of language and style of a Slavic literary language (Czech, Polish, Russian, or Serbian/Croatian) from the beginnings to the present, with emphasis on periods of particular significance. See Department announcement for topic.

SLAVIC 234 South Slavic Linguistics 4 Units

Linguistic history and dialectology of Slovenian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Serbian/Croatian.

SLAVIC 239 Twentieth-Century Slavic Literary Theory 4 Units

Attempts to describe literary forms, poetic usage of language, and cultural infrastructure, as a code, examined as a consistent trend in 20th-Century literary theory. Consideration of this scholarly trend in historical perspective; its sources, evolution, and eventual dissipation.

SLAVIC 242 Eighteenth-Century Russian Literature 4 Units

Studies in poetry, drama, and fiction, covering major figures between 1730 and the end of the century.

SLAVIC 245A Russian Sentimentalism and Romanticism (1790s-1840s) 4 Units

Coverage of major movements and genres in the intellectual context of the times. Readings in Russian.

SLAVIC 245B Russian Realism (1840s-1900) 4 Units

Coverage of major movements and genres in the intellectual context of the times. Readings in Russian.

SLAVIC 246A Russian Modernism (1890s-1920s) 4 Units

Coverage of major movements and genres in the intellectual context of the times. Readings in Russian.

SLAVIC 246B Contemporary Russian Literature (1920-present) 4 Units

Coverage of major movements and genres in the intellectual context of the times. Readings in Russian.

SLAVIC 248 Topics in Russian Cultural History 4 Units

This seminar addresses the problems and methods of cultural history within the Russian context. Special attention will be given to the social, political, and historical matrices which determine (and may be determined by) aesthetic production, as well as to the role of culture in the construction of everyday life. Topic and period variable. Instruction in English; texts in English and Russian. Students without reading knowledge of Russian should consult with instructor.

SLAVIC 256 Topics in Slavic Folklore 4 Units

Selected topics in Slavic folklore, with focus on contributions to folklore theory based on Slavic material.

SLAVIC 258 Languages, Peoples, and Cultures of the Greater Slavic World 4 Units

Topics in the languages, peoples, and cultures of Eastern and Central Europe, the CIS, and diasporas. Topics vary as to region (e.g., Northeastern Europe, the Baltic Coast, the Caucasus) and approach (e.g., sociolinguistics, ethnolinguistics, studies of ethnic and language minorities). Readings include sources in the original languages of the area.

SLAVIC 280 Studies in Slavic Literature and Linguistics 4 Units

Advanced studies in the several fields of Slavic literatures and linguistics. Content varies.

SLAVIC 281 Proseminar: Aims and Methods of Literary Scholarship 4 Units

Course designed for new graduate students in literature. Introduction to modern literary theory and criticism; principles of textual analysis; methods of bibliographical research.

SLAVIC 282 Proseminar: Aims and Methods of Linguistic Scholarship 4 Units

Course designed for new graduate students in Slavic linguistics. A survey of general and Slavic linguistics, Slavic philology, semiotics, and the relation of linguistics to literary studies. Methods of research and critical analysis. Current issues and goals of research.

SLAVIC 285 Eastern Christianity: History and Thought 4 Units

A survey of the religious history and thought of Eastern Europe and the Levant with an intent of providing greater insight into the shaping of faith and cultures of both halves of Europe.

SLAVIC 287 Russian Poetry 4 Units

Class conducted in Russian. Russian poetry and versification (eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries): close readings of texts. Variable topics.

SLAVIC 298 Special Study for Graduate Students 2 - 8 Units

Preliminary exploration of a restricted field involving research and a written report.

SLAVIC 299 Directed Research 2 - 12 Units

Normally reserved for students directly engaged upon the doctoral dissertation.

SLAVIC 301 Issues in Slavic Pedagogy 3 Units

Independent study. Consideration of special issues in the teaching of Slavic languages. Offered according to interest and need.

SLAVIC 310 Internship in the Teaching of Literature/Linguistics 1 - 2 Units

Weekly meetings with the instructor of the designated course. Discussion of course aims, syllabus preparation, lecture and assignment planning, grading, and related matters. Students may prepare a representative portion of the work for such a course (e.g., lecture outline and assignments for a course segment) and may participate in presentation of the material and in evaluation of samples of student work.

SLAVIC 375A Teaching Methods for Slavic Languages 3 Units

Course on practical teaching methods, grading, testing, and design of supplementary course materials. Required of all graduate student language instructors in Slavic. Course to be repeated for credit each semester of employment as a graduate student instructor.

SLAVIC 375B Teaching Methods of Reading and Composition 3 Units

Course on practical teaching methods, grading, testing, and design of supplementary course materials. Required of all graduate student instructors in Slavic. Course to be repeated for credit each semester of employment as a graduate student instructor.

SLAVIC 601 Individual Study for Master's Students 2 - 8 Units

Individual study for the comprehensive or language requirements in consultation with a field adviser.

SLAVIC 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 2 - 8 Units

Individual study in consultation with a major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D.

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