Russian Courses

RUS 110. ELEMENTS OF RUSSIAN I (4)
For students with no background in Russian. Designed to give students a firm foundation in the language, with special emphasis on the development of vocabulary and basic reading and conversational skills. Taught with the communicative approach grounded in contemporary Russian culture. Four contact hours with the instructor, one hour laboratory. (A section of 110 is also offered at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) under the number 377.131. Please check the JHU catalogue under Center for Language Education.)

RUS 120. ELEMENTS OF RUSSIAN II (4)
A continuation of previous elementary work with abundant oral and aural practice. Grammar, vocabulary, reading, discussion grounded in contemporary Russian culture. Four contact hours with the instructor, one hour laboratory. (A section of 120 is also offered at the Johns Hopkins University under the number 377.132. Please check the JHU catalogue under Center for Language Education.) Prerequisite: RUS 110 with a minimum grade of C-.

RUS 130. INTERMEDIATE RUSSIAN I (4) (GEN. ED. #2)
Intensive oral work, continued emphasis on grammar and reading comprehension. Four contact hours with the instructor, one hour laboratory. (A section of 130 is also offered at The Johns Hopkins University under the number 377.135. Please check the JHU catalogue under Center for Language Education.) Prerequisite: RUS 120 with a minimum grade of C-.

RUS 231. CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION (3)
Development of conversational and writing skills through the study and discussion of animated and classical films from the Soviet Era. Acquisition and active use of everyday vocabulary is stressed. Grammar exercises are integrated into the film discussions and writing assignments. Minors and majors must take this course in conjunction with RUS 248. Both courses count toward a minor and major. Prerequisite: RUS 130 with a minimum grade of C-. Offered at Goucher.

RUS 248. INTERMEDIATE RUSSIAN II (4)
Continuation of RUS 130. Students are encouraged to take this course concurrently with RUS 231. Both courses count toward the minor and major. Four contact hours with the instructor. Prerequisite: RUS 130 with a minimum grade of C-. Offered at the Johns Hopkins University.

RUS 251. INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIAN LITERATURE I (3) (GEN. ED. #9)
An survey of important writers, genres, and literary movements of the mid-19th century. The works of Pushkin, Gogol, Lermontov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Dostoevsky are adapted to the intermediate level while native speakers read unabridged texts. Essential grammar review is integrated into the course. Prerequisite: RUS 231 or 248. Offered at the Johns Hopkins University.

RUS 260. THE RUSSIAN PRESS (3)
Reading and discussion of topics drawn from the Russian press. Designed to strengthen the students’ command of vocabulary in the areas of history, political science, and economics, while providing deeper insight into the dynamics of everyday life in Russia. Prerequisite: RUS 231 or 248. Offered at the Johns Hopkins University.

RUS 261. ADVANCED GRAMMAR THROUGH READINGS (3)
Application of essential topics in Russian grammar (verbs of motion, aspects, participles, cases) through a wide range of readings. A portion of this course includes translating. Multimedia will be used when appropriate. Prerequisite: RUS 248.

RUS 272G. INTENSIVE COURSE ABROAD ODESSA, CHARM CITY BY THE BLACK SEA (4) (GEN. ED. #3) (HIS 272G, JS 272G)
A four-credit, three-week intensive interdisciplinary language and cultural program with revolving themes dealing with the city of Odessa, designed to appeal to a broad constituency, including students who speak no Russian. Students will pursue their individual interests (family life, religion, literature, etc.) while learning how Russian/Jewish history and culture were memorialized in Odessa. Credits may be applied toward a minor or major in Russian, history, or Judaic studies. Prerequisites: HIS 254/JS 257 or RUS 396.

RUS 290. INTERNSHIP IN RUSSIAN (3-4)
Projects in which students make use of their foreign language skills in a work environment in this country or abroad with a government agency, business, or nonprofit organization. This course is graded pass/no pass only.

RUS 299. INDEPENDENT WORK (1-4)
Department.

RUS 312. CHEKHOV AND THE SHORT STORY (3)
Chekhov’s early satirical sketches and anecdotes, short stories, novellas, and plays are studied against the social, political, and philosophic background of his time. Special emphasis is placed on improving syntax and enlarging vocabulary related to the intellectual and emotional spheres. This course is suitable for students who have completed RUS 251, as well as native speakers of Russian. (Offered at Goucher College or the Johns Hopkins University.) Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

RUS 335. TECHNICAL TRANSLATION (3)
Advanced work in translating Russian into English in the sciences and social sciences. Designed for students who have completed RUS 260. (Offered at Goucher College or the Johns Hopkins University) Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

RUS 351. INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIAN LITERATURE II (3)
This course is a survey of the short works of the major writers of the late-19th and early-20th century, including Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Bunin, Gorky, Zoshchenko, and Zamyatin. Prerequisite: RUS 251 or permission of the instructor.

RUS 395. SEMINAR I (3) (GEN. ED. #9)
A four-year cycle of rotating topics in fiction, poetry, or drama prior to the Revolution of 1917 involving the close textual analysis of select works of one author, or an in-depth analysis of a single literary masterpiece, or an examination of a particular theme or genre. Special emphasis is given to the writing of longer critical essays. This course may be taken more than once and is suitable for students at the high intermediate, advanced, and native levels. Offered at Goucher College or the Johns Hopkins University. Prerequisite: RUS 351 or instructor’s permission.

RUS 396. SEMINAR II (3) (GEN. ED. #9)
A four-year cycle of rotating topics in 20th-century prose, poetry, drama, or cinema involving the close textual analysis of the works of a single author, the study of a particular genre, the indepth analysis of a single novel, or genre of the Soviet or Russian cinema. Special emphasis is given to the writing of longer critical essays. This course may be taken more than once and is suitable for intermediate, advanced, and native speakers. Offered at Goucher College or the Johns Hopkins University. Prerequisite: RUS 351 or instructor’s permission.