Slavic Languages and Literatures

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

Overview

The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures provides instruction in the languages and cultures of Russian and other Slavic peoples — Czech, Polish, and Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian (BCS) — as well as some of the non-Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe (Hungarian) and Eurasia (Armenian). In addition to language and literature, our department teaches different aspects of Slavic cultures, including film, drama, visual arts, popular culture, critical theory, religious thought, and cultural history.

Undergraduate Programs

Slavic Languages and Literatures : BA (with concentrations in Russian/East European/Eurasian Cultures; Russian Language and Literature; and Czech, Polish, or BCS (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian) Language and Literature), Minor
Czech, Polish, or BCS (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian) Language and Literature : Minor
Russian Language : Minor
Russian Language, Literature, and Culture : Minor
Russian Literature : Minor

Graduate Program

Slavic Languages and Literatures : PhD

Visit Department Website

Courses

Literature, Linguistics and Culture:

Languages:

Armenian

ARMENI 1A Introductory Armenian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
An introduction to Armenian language and culture, aiming to give students basic competence in all four skills and an introduction to traditional and contemporary Armenian culture.

ARMENI 1B Introductory Armenian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
An introduction to Armenian language and culture, aiming to give students basic competence in all four skills and an introduction to traditional and contemporary Armenian culture.

ARMENI 101A Continuing Armenian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
The purpose of this course is to further develop students' Armenian proficiency in all four language skills, using discussion, oral presentations, written assignments, and a variety of readings (literature, non-fiction, folklore, newspaper articles, etc.) chosen partly for their cultural significance and partly based on student needs and interests. Emphasis on particular skills (e.g. reading) depending on student needs and interests.

ARMENI 101B Continuing Armenian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
The purpose of this course is to further develop students' Armenian proficiency in all four language skills, using discussion, oral presentations, written assignments, and a variety of readings (literature, non-fiction, folklore, newspaper articles, etc.) chosen partly for their cultural significance and partly based on student needs and interests. Emphasis on particular skills (e.g. reading) depending on student needs and interests.

ARMENI 102 Advanced Readings in Specialized Armenian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017
Selected readings in Armenian drawn from a wide range of texts—literature, history, journalism, politics, law, science and technology, business and economics, etc.—tailored to the academic interests of students enrolled.

The course is designed to further develop students’ language skills and to link language competence to the study of the contemporary politics, culture, and society in Armenia and the Armenian diaspora.

ARMENI 124 Armenian Literature in Social Context 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2016
This course covers selected works and topics in Armenian literature treated in a broad socio-cultural context. In addition to introducing students to some of the Armenian literary masterpieces, the course offers a lens through which to view the socio-political issues and historical legacies that shape Armenian culture and identity, in Armenia and in diaspora, in today’s globalized world. Lectures, readings and discussions in English. No knowledge of Armenian language is required (students with knowledge of Armenian read in the original).

ARMENI 126 Armenian Culture and Film 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017
This course examines issues in Armenian culture (folklore, literature, architecture, visual arts, and film), with particular attention to Armenian cultural identity and socio-political movements in today’s Armenia and in diaspora. Lectures, readings and discussions in English. No knowledge of Armenian language is required (students with knowledge of Armenian read in the original).

Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian

BOSCRSR 27A Introductory Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Beginner's course. Sequence beginning Fall semester.

BOSCRSR 27B Introductory Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Beginner's course. Sequence beginning Fall semester.

BOSCRSR 117A Continuing Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Sequence begins fall semester.

BOSCRSR 117B Continuing Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Sequence begins fall semester.

Bulgarian

BULGARI 28A Introductory Bulgarian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Sequence begins in the fall. Practical instruction in the Bulgarian language with a focus on integrated skills (reading, grammar, conversation). Course offered as staffing permits.

BULGARI 28B Introductory Bulgarian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Sequence begins in the fall. Practical instruction in the Bulgarian language with a focus on integrated skills (reading, grammar, conversation). Course offered as staffing permits.

BULGARI 118A Continuing Bulgarian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
This course consists of a review of Bulgarian grammar covered in 28A-28B, a thorough presentation of the complex verbal tense-mood system and readings in contemporary Bulgarian prose.

BULGARI 118B Continuing Bulgarian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
This course is a continuation of 118A. It also introduces the question of the relation between Bulgarian and Macedonian and readings in Bulgarian belletristic poetry and prose.

Czech

CZECH 26A Introductory Czech 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Beginner's course. Sequence beginning fall.

CZECH 26B Introductory Czech 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Beginner's course. Sequence beginning fall.

CZECH 116A Continuing Czech 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Sequence begins fall semester.

CZECH 116B Continuing Czech 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2016
Sequence begins fall semester.

CZECH 163 Advanced Reading Tutorials in Czech 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017
Selected readings in Czech drawn from a wide range of texts—literature, history, science, media and journalism, politics, business and economics, etc.—tailored to the academic interests and language proficiency of students enrolled.

The course is designed to further develop students’ language skills and to link language competence to the study of the contemporary politics, culture, and society in the Czech Republic and, more broadly, Eastern Europe.

The course is taught in a small group setting. The course requires considerable independent reading at home.

Hungarian

HUNGARI 1A Introductory Hungarian 3 or 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Practical instruction in the Hungarian language. The course can be taken for either 3 or 4 units; the additional unit involves language laboratory work and additional written reading assignments.

HUNGARI 1B Introductory Hungarian 3 or 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Practical instruction in the Hungarian language. The course can be taken for either 3 or 4 units; the additional unit involves language laboratory work and additional written reading assignments.

HUNGARI 100 Readings in Hungarian 2 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
The purpose of this course is to further develop the student's language proficiency in reading, speaking and writing by using interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communicative modes. Exploration of fascinating aspects of Hungarian culture including elements of literature, contemporary and historical events, pop-culture, and folklore. Students will be able to influence topic selections according to their personal goals and interests.

Polish

POLISH 25A Introductory Polish 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Beginner's course. Sequence beginning fall.

POLISH 25B Introductory Polish 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Beginner's course. Sequence beginning fall.

POLISH 115A Continuing Polish 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Sequence begins fall semester.

POLISH 115B Continuing Polish 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Sequence begins fall semester.

Romanian

ROMANI 1A Introductory Romanian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
The course will focus on reading and comprehension, elementary speaking and writing, providing fundamental grammatical and lexical competence for further language acquisition in Romanian.

ROMANI 1B Introductory Romanian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
The course will focus on reading and comprehension, elementary speaking and writing, providing fundamental grammatical and lexical competence for further language acquisition in Romanian.

ROMANI 102A Continuing Romanian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
The purpose of this course is to further develop students' Romanian proficiency in all four language skills, using discussion, oral presentations, written assignments, and a variety of readings (literature, non-fiction, folklore, newspaper articles, etc.) chosen partly for their cultural significance and partly based on student needs and interests. Emphasis on particular skills (e.g., reading) depending on student needs and interests.

ROMANI 102B Continuing Romanian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
The purpose of this course is to further develop students' Romanian proficiency in all four language skills, using discussion, oral presentations, written assignments, and a variety of readings (literature, non-fiction, folklore, newspaper articles, etc.) chosen partly for their cultural significance and partly based on student needs and interests. Emphasis on particular skills (e.g., reading) depending on student needs and interests.

Russian

RUSSIAN 1 Elementary Russian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Beginner's course.

RUSSIAN 2 Elementary Russian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016

RUSSIAN 3 Intermediate Russian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016

RUSSIAN 4 Intermediate Russian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2015

RUSSIAN 6A Introductory Russian for Heritage Speakers 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2015
The course is aimed at "heritage speakers" of Russian, i.e., those who grew up speaking Russian in the family without a full Russian educational and cultural background. These courses are designed for students who have speaking and comprehension ability in Russian but have minimum exposure to writing and reading. This course teaches basic skills of writing, reading, and grammar. 6A focuses on basic writing and reading ability. 6B introduces further knowledge of grammar and syntax and develops writing skills. Both 6A and 6B include reading and cultural material. (Students with advanced reading proficiency should consider Slavic 114 or SLAVIC 190.)

RUSSIAN 6B Introductory Russian for Heritage Speakers 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2016
The course is aimed at "heritage speakers" of Russian, i.e., those who grew up speaking Russian in the family without a full Russian educational and cultural background. These courses are designed for students who have speaking and comprehension ability in Russian but have minimum exposure to writing and reading. This course teaches basic skills of writing, reading, and grammar. 6A focuses on basic writing and reading ability. 6B introduces further knowledge of grammar and syntax and develops writing skills. Both 6A and 6B include reading and cultural material. (Students with advanced reading proficiency should consider Slavic 114 or SLAVIC 190.)

RUSSIAN 10 Elementary Intensive Russian 10 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
This summer session course is equivalent to the first year of Russian language instruction offered at Berkeley. An intensive program designed to develop students' comprehension and conversation skills while presenting the basic grammar of modern, standard Russian. Lectures and films on Russian culture will be arranged.

RUSSIAN 20 Intermediate Intensive Russian 10 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
This summer session course is equivalent to the second year of Russian language instruction at Berkeley. An intensive program designed to consolidate command of basic grammar and further develop comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills.

RUSSIAN 101 Advanced Russian Phonetics and Oral Performance 1 - 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Aimed at both undergraduate and graduate students, this course helps students to improve their pronunciation, bringing it closer to the native level. The course teaches a whole spectrum of oral speech performance, including phonetics, intonation, and rhetoric, taking into account different functional styles. Course may be taken for 1 unit (5 weeks: basic skills), 2 units (10 weeks: advanced skills) or 3 units (15 weeks: advanced phonetics and performance).

RUSSIAN 102 Readings in Specialized Russian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Selected readings in scholarly (scientific and technical), journalistic, and business styles to acquaint the student with the peculiarities of vocabulary, grammar, and phraseology.

RUSSIAN 103A Advanced Russian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Course covers three main aspects of advanced Russian: grammar, syntax, and reading. Grammar is reviewed. Course taught in Russian.

RUSSIAN 103B Advanced Russian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Course covers three main aspects of advanced Russian: grammar, syntax, and reading. Grammar is reviewed. Course taught in Russian.

RUSSIAN 105A Advanced Russian/English/Russian Translation 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2015
Advanced training in both oral and written translation skills covering various areas of politics, business, technology, law, science, and culture. Elements of literary and poetic translation.

RUSSIAN 105B Advanced Russian/English/Russian Translation 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2016
Advanced training in both oral and written translation skills covering various areas of politics, business, technology, law, science, and culture. Elements of literary and poetic translation.

RUSSIAN 106A Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
The course is aimed at "heritage speakers" of Russian, i.e., those who grew up speaking Russian in the family without a standard Russian educational background. The advanced course aims at building a sophisticated vocabulary, developing advanced reading ability, formal knowledge of grammar, and complete writing competency. This course fosters student's knowledge and understanding of Russian culture and society today. (Students with no or rudimentary reading proficiency should consider 6A or 6B by consent of instructor.)

RUSSIAN 106B Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
The course is aimed at "heritage speakers" of Russian, i.e., those who grew up speaking Russian in the family without a standard Russian educational background. The advanced course aims at building a sophisticated vocabulary, developing advanced reading ability, formal knowledge of grammar, and complete writing competency. This course fosters student's knowledge and understanding of Russian culture and society today. (Students with no or rudimentary reading proficiency should consider 6A or 6B by consent of instructor.)

RUSSIAN 109 Business Russian 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
This course is designed for students with a good command of basic Russian who would like to gain the vocabulary of business transactions in Russian to be able to establish actual contacts with Russian businesspeople, to participate in business negotiations, to compile business contracts in Russian, and to read Russian business magazines and newspapers. Elements of the business law of Russia will also be discussed.

RUSSIAN 120A Advanced Russian Conversation and Communication 2 - 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Aimed at fostering advanced conversation and communication skills, this course explores Russian culture through communication. Contains reading, films, vocabulary building, listening exercises, and speaking activities. The course can be taken for two or three credits; for two credits, attendance is required for two classes per week; for three credits, three classes per week.

RUSSIAN 120B Advanced Russian Conversation and Communication 2 - 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Aimed at fostering advanced conversation and communication skills, this course explores Russian culture through communication. Contains reading, films, vocabulary building, listening exercises, and speaking activities. The course can be taken for two or three credits; for two credits, attendance is required for two classes per week; for three credits, three classes per week.

Slavic Languages and Literatures

SLAVIC R5A Reading and Composition 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session
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

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2014
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

Terms offered: Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Spring 2012
Readings in English of representative texts from the Russian literary tradition. Variable topics.

SLAVIC 39 Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017
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.

SLAVIC 39C Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2012
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

Terms offered: Spring 2010, Spring 2004, Spring 2001
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

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2009
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

Terms offered: Fall 2012, Spring 2012
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

Terms offered: Fall 2013
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
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

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
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

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Group study of selected topics not covered by regularly scheduled courses.

SLAVIC 99 Individual Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Supervised independent study for lower division students with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016
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

Terms offered: Spring 2012, Spring 2010, Spring 2007
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2013
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

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Spring 2012, Spring 2004
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

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2009, Spring 2009
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

Terms offered: Fall 2013, Fall 2009, Fall 2006
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

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2013
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2014
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

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2015
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

Terms offered: Spring 2014, Spring 2009
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
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 C137 Introduction to Slavic Linguistics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2013
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

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
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

Terms offered: Fall 2013, Spring 2010, Spring 2006
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

Terms offered: Fall 2010, Fall 2009, Fall 2008
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

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2012, Spring 2011
Folktales, epic songs, customs, and beliefs of Russians and Ukrainians.

SLAVIC 147B Balkan Folklore 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2014
Folktales, epic songs, customs, and beliefs of the South Slavs and other Balkan peoples.

SLAVIC 147R Slavic Studies Research 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2014, Fall 2012
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

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2011, Spring 2009
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

Terms offered: Fall 2014, Fall 2012, Fall 2011
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

Terms offered: Spring 2012, Fall 2010, Fall 2009
Selected readings in Polish tailored to the academic interests of students enrolled.

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

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2014
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

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2013, Fall 2011
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

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2013, Fall 2011
Selected readings in Serbian/Croatian, tailored to the academic interests of students enrolled.

SLAVIC 172 Topics in Serbian/Croatian 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2013
Studies in Serbian/Croatian literatures, linguistics, or conversation, depending on the needs of the students enrolled.

SLAVIC 181 Readings in Russian Literature 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Fall 2013, Spring 2012
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

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2012, Spring 2010
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

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
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

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017

Faculty and Instructors

Faculty

Ronelle Alexander, Professor. Slavic languages & literatures, Balkan Slavic dialectology, Balkan linguistics, language contact, oral tradition, Parry-Lord theory of oral composition, South Slavic epic singers, issues of language and identity.
Research Profile

David A. Frick, Professor. Slavic languages & literatures.
Research Profile

Lyubov (Luba) Golburt, Associate Professor. Pushkin, Russian literature and art of the 18th and 19th centuries; Derzhavin, Turgenev; history and literature; historical novel.
Research Profile

Darya Kavitskaya, Associate Professor. Phonological theory, opacity, contrast, Slavic phonology, phonetics/phonology interface, field linguistics (Slavic, Turkic, Uralic).
Research Profile

Eric Naiman, Professor. Sexuality, history, comparative literature, Slavic language, ideological poetics, history of medicine, Soviet culture, the gothic novel.
Research Profile

Anne Nesbet, Associate Professor. Culture, film studies, Slavic languages, early Soviet culture, Sergei Eisenstein, silent film, Soviet film, GDR history, children's literature & Stalinism, the Soviet Union, American minority movements.
Research Profile

Irina Paperno, Professor. Russian language and literature, intellectual history.
Research Profile

Harsha Ram, Associate Professor. Russian and European romanticism and modernism, Russian and European avant-gardes, Russian, European, Near Eastern and South Asian poetic traditions, Indian literature, Italian literature, Georgian history and literature, theories of world literature, literary theory, comparative poetics, genre theory, literary history, comparative modernisms and modernities, vernacular and high culture, cultural and political history of Russia-Eurasia and the Caucasus, postcolonial studies, theories of nationalism, imperialism and cosmopolitanism, the city and literature.
Research Profile

Lecturers

Milutin Janjic, Lecturer.

Ellen R. Langer, Lecturer.

Lisa C. Little, Lecturer.

Anna Muza, Senior Lecturer.

Hasmig Seropian, Lecturer.

Eva Soos Szoke, Lecturer.

Katarzyna Zacha, Lecturer.

Emeritus Faculty

Joan Grossman, Professor Emeritus. Slavic languages and literatures, Russian symbolism and decadence viewed especially as a cultural process, questions of literary evolution, and Russian modernism.
Research Profile

Olga Hughes, Professor Emeritus. Slavic languages and literatures, literature and culture of the 20th century, Pasternak, Tsvetaeva, Remizov, autobiographical prose, history and literature of Russian emigration, Russian literary developments and cultural life of the early 20th century.
Research Profile

Robert P. Hughes, Professor Emeritus. Critical theory, comparative literature, Slavic languages and literatures, Pushkin, Russian and European modernism, Russian poetry, Nabokov, Russian prose in the 1920s, Khodasevich's poetry, forms of autobiography, Andrei Belyi.
Research Profile

Olga Matich, Professor Emeritus. Slavic languages and literatures, Russian symbolism and post-Stalin literature, women in Russian literature, Zinaida Gippius, Russian emigre literature, conceptualization of love in Russian culture, theory and practice of private life.
Research Profile

Hugh Mclean, Professor Emeritus. Slavic languages and literatures, prose fiction of the 19th century (Gogol, Tolstoy; Kushchevskij, Leskov, Chekhov), Zoshchenko, and poetry (Majakovskij).
Research Profile

Johanna Nichols, Professor Emeritus. Slavic languages & literatures, Slavic languages, syntax, historical linguistics, typology, including historical typology, linguistic geography and areal linguistics, languages of northern Eurasia, particularly languages of the Caucasus.
Research Profile

Walter Schamschula, Professor Emeritus. Slavic languages and literatures, influences of cultural contacts on Czech literatures, especially Germanic, movement and migration of literary themes and topics in Europe, Czech cultural history & theory of literature, theory and practice of translation.
Research Profile

Alan Timberlake, Professor Emeritus. Slavic languages and literatures, descriptive grammar of Russian, chronicles.
Research Profile

Contact Information

Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures

6303 Dwinelle Hall

Phone: 510-642-2979

Fax: 510-642-6220

issa@berkeley.edu

Visit Department Website

Department Chair

Irina Paperno, PhD

6215 Dwinelle Hall

ipaperno@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Student Services Adviser

Kathi Brosnan

6303 Dwinelle Hall

Phone: 510-642-4661

issaug@berkeley.edu

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