Russian Language, Literature, and Culture

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

About the Program

Minor

The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures offers a minor in Russian Language, Literature, and Culture. Students desiring to major with an emphasis in Russian language, literature, or culture should see the requirements for the major track in Russian/East European/Eurasian Cultures offered under the Slavic Languages and Literatures major.

Heritage Speakers of Russian

Heritage speakers include those who grew up in Russian-speaking families but are without a standard Russian language educational background. Heritage speakers may select any major or minor track offered by the department except the minor in Russian Language. The unit requirements are the same for all majors and minors. However, the balance between courses approved for and taken in language and literature/culture may change depending on each student’s language proficiency. The choice of specific courses in language and literature/culture for any respective major or minor track will be determined on an individual basis by the heritage program adviser, Anna Muza, amuza@berkeley.edu. Before enrolling in language courses and declaring a major or minor, heritage speakers are required to take a proficiency/placement test.

Declaring the Minor

Students considering a minor track involving language requirements must see the undergraduate student services adviser early on to have to have their minor study list plan reviewed and approved; referral for language proficiency screening and placement for heritage or native speakers is required. Final approval for a minor rests with the major adviser. The paperwork for the minor, called an L&S Confirmation of Minor form, is completed with the undergraduate student services adviser the semester in which the student will earn his/her degree, and no later than the last two weeks of classes in the student’s final semester.

Other Minors offered by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures

Czech, Polish, or Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BCS) Language and Literature (Minor Only)
Russian Language (Minor only)
Russian Literature (Minor only)
Slavic Languages and Literatures (Major only)

Visit Department Website

Minor Requirements

Students who have a strong interest in an area of study outside their major often decide to complete a minor program. These programs have set requirements and are noted officially on the transcript in the memoranda section, but they are not noted on diplomas.

General Guidelines

  1. All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements below must be taken for graded credit.
  2. A minimum of three of the upper division courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be completed at UC Berkeley.
  3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.
  4. Courses used to fulfill the minor requirements may be applied toward the Seven-Course Breadth requirement, for Letters & Science students.
  5. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs.
  6. All minor requirements must be completed prior to the last day of finals during the semester in which the student plans to graduate. Students who cannot finish all courses required for the minor by that time should see a College of Letters & Science adviser.
  7. All minor requirements must be completed within the unit ceiling. (For further information regarding the unit ceiling, please see the College Requirements tab.)

Requirements

Lower Division Prerequisites 1
RUSSIAN 1Elementary Russian5
RUSSIAN 2Elementary Russian5
RUSSIAN 3Intermediate Russian5
RUSSIAN 4Intermediate Russian5
Upper Division Requirements
Select five upper division courses in Russian language and/or Russian and other Slavic literatures and cultures 2
1

Russian heritage speakers should see the language placement approval instructions.

2

These courses may be chosen in any combination by the student, in consultation with the major adviser. A course from another related department may be substituted with approval of the major adviser.

Advising

The department provides programmatic and individual advising services to prospective and current students who are pursuing major and minor tracks. Advisers assist with a range of issues including course selection, academic decision-making, achieving personal and academic goals, and maximizing the Berkeley experience.

Students who are looking to explore their options or are ready to declare a major, double major, or minor should contact the undergraduate student services adviser.

Advising Staff and Hours

Kathi Brosnan
issaug@berkeley.edu
6303 Dwinelle Hall
510-642-4661
Contact Kathi Brosnan via email to request an appointment
Advising hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Courses

Select a subject to view courses:

Russian

RUSSIAN 1 Elementary Russian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Beginner's course.
Elementary Russian: Read More [+]

RUSSIAN 2 Elementary Russian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Elementary Russian: Read More [+]

RUSSIAN 3 Intermediate Russian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Intermediate Russian: Read More [+]

RUSSIAN 4 Intermediate Russian 5 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Intermediate Russian: Read More [+]

RUSSIAN 6A Introductory Russian for Heritage Speakers 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2018, 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.)
Introductory Russian for Heritage Speakers: Read More [+]

RUSSIAN 6B Introductory Russian for Heritage Speakers 3 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2018, 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.)
Introductory Russian for Heritage Speakers: Read More [+]

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.
Elementary Intensive Russian: Read More [+]

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.
Intermediate Intensive Russian: Read More [+]

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).
Advanced Russian Phonetics and Oral Performance: Read More [+]

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.
Readings in Specialized Russian: Read More [+]

RUSSIAN 103A Advanced Russian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Course covers three main aspects of advanced Russian: grammar, syntax, and reading. Grammar is reviewed. Course taught in Russian.
Advanced Russian: Read More [+]

RUSSIAN 103B Advanced Russian 4 Units

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Course covers three main aspects of advanced Russian: grammar, syntax, and reading. Grammar is reviewed. Course taught in Russian.
Advanced Russian: Read More [+]

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

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
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.
Advanced Russian/English/Russian Translation: Read More [+]

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.
Advanced Russian/English/Russian Translation: Read More [+]

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.)
Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers: Read More [+]

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.)
Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers: Read More [+]

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.
Business Russian: Read More [+]

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

Offered through: Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terms offered: Spring 2018, 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.
Advanced Russian Conversation and Communication: Read More [+]

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.
Advanced Russian Conversation and Communication: Read More [+]

Slavic Languages and Literatures

SLAVIC R5A Reading and Composition 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
Reading and Composition: Read More [+]

SLAVIC R5B Reading and Composition 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Summer 2018 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.
Reading and Composition: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 24 Freshman Seminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
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.
Freshman Seminar: Read More [+]

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.
Great Books of Russian Literature: Read More [+]

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.
Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

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.
Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

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.
Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

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.
Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

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.
Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

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.
Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 45 Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Nineteenth-century Russian literature, including Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol, Turgenev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov.

The class is taught in English, on the basis of English translations; students with knowledge of Russian are encouraged to do at least some of the reading in the original.

Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 46 Twentieth-Century Russian Literature 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Russian, Soviet and post-Soviet literature from the 1900 to the present viewed in a socio-cultural and political context.

The class is taught in English, on the basis of English translations; students with knowledge of Russian are encouraged to do at least some of the reading in the original.

Twentieth-Century Russian Literature: Read More [+]

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

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Fall 2017
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. 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 areas' languages not required.
Introduction to Russian/East European/Eurasian Cultures: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 98 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Group study of selected topics not covered by regularly scheduled courses.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 99 Individual Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Supervised independent study for lower division students with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Individual Study: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 100 Seminar: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Cultures 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016
An overview of various aspects of cultural history, literature, language, and society of Russia, the former Soviet Union, and Eastern Europe. Variable topics. Course readings include primary texts (literature, film, popular culture, journalism) and scholarly studies. Course work emphasizes students' research. Final research paper or project required.
Seminar: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Cultures: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 100L Advanced Readings in Russian, East European and Eurasian Languages 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Additional readings in the original language to be coordinated with an appropriate upper division lecture course with readings in English offered by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. This includes all courses in the Slavic 130, 140, 150, 160, and 170 and Armenian 120 series. Supervised by the instructor of the lecture course in which the student is also enrolled. Attend lectures and do all assigned written work in the main lecture course and also perform additional work by reading all or some of the primary texts in the original language.
Advanced Readings in Russian, East European and Eurasian Languages: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 100R Research in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Special research project to be coordinated with an appropriate upper division lecture course offered by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. (This includes courses in the Slavic 130, 140, 150, 160, and 170 series and Armenian 120 series). Supervised by the instructor of the lecture course in which the student is also enrolled. Students attend lectures and do all assigned written work in the main lecture course and also perform additional research.
Research in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies: Read More [+]

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.
The Culture of Medieval Rus': Read More [+]

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

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
Literature, Art, and Society in 20th-Century Russia: Read More [+]

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.
Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and the English Novel: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 133 The Novel in Russia and the West 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 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.
The Novel in Russia and the West: Read More [+]

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.
Gogol: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 134C Dostoevsky 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
Dostoevsky: Read More [+]

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.
Tolstoy: Read More [+]

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.
Chekhov: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 134F Nabokov 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Spring 2015, Fall 2010
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.
Nabokov: Read More [+]

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.
Tolstoy and Dostoevsky: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 134N Studies in Russian Literature 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2015, Fall 2010
Special topics in Russian literature and its international context. Variable subject matter; see Department announcement for description. Extensive outside reading required for this course.
Studies in Russian Literature: Read More [+]

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.
Introduction to Slavic Linguistics: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 138 Topics in Russian and Soviet Film 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
Topics in Russian and Soviet Film: Read More [+]

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.
Language Spread: Read More [+]

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.
The Performing Arts in Russia and Eastern Europe: Read More [+]

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.
East Slavic Folklore: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 147B Balkan Folklore 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Spring 2014, Spring 2012
Folktales, epic songs, customs, and beliefs of the South Slavs and other Balkan peoples.
Balkan Folklore: Read More [+]

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.
Topics in Russian Cultural History: Read More [+]

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.
Polish Literature and Intellectual Trends: Read More [+]

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.
Readings in Polish Literature: Read More [+]

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

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2015
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.
Topics in East European/Eurasian Cultural History: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 170 Survey of Yugoslav Literatures 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Fall 2013
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.
Survey of Yugoslav Literatures: Read More [+]

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.
Readings in Yugoslav Literatures: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 172 Topics in Serbian/Croatian 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2015, Fall 2014
Studies in Serbian/Croatian literatures, linguistics, or conversation, depending on the needs of the students enrolled.
Topics in Serbian/Croatian: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 174 Balkan Bridges: Contested Histories, Shared Commitments 6 Units

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This four-week travel/study course will focus on legacies of war, exemplary moments of peaceful coexistence, and historical challenges to peace in the former Yugoslavia over the long 20th century. Taught in English, no prerequisites, open to Berkeley undergraduate students in all majors.
Balkan Bridges: Contested Histories, Shared Commitments: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 181 Readings in Russian Literature 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2015, Fall 2013
Study and analysis of the development of the Russian literary language and short fiction from the eighteenth century to the present.
Readings in Russian Literature: Read More [+]

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.
Pushkin: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 188 Russian Prose 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2004, Spring 2002, Spring 2001
Course conducted in Russian. Reading, analysis, and interpretation of representative authors from the nineteenth century to the present.
Russian Prose: Read More [+]

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

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Spring 2017
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.
Russian Culture Taught in Russian: Country, Identity, and Language: Read More [+]

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.
Honors Seminar: Read More [+]

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.
Supervised Group Study for Undergraduates: Read More [+]

SLAVIC 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016

Supervised Independent Study and Research: Read More [+]

Faculty and Instructors

+ Indicates this faculty member is the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.

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

Eric Naiman

naiman@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Faculty Adviser

Darya Kavitskaya, PhD

6219 Dwinelle Hall

dkavitskaya@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Student Services Adviser

Amanda Minafo

6303 Dwinelle Hall

Phone: 510-642-4661

issaug@berkeley.edu

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