GEOG 250C/S 01/02W Russian and Central Eurasian Geography
4 Credits
Medvedkov, Olga
Pre-requisites: None
For the first time in all Russian history geography speaks for itself. After the disintegration of the Soviet Empire regions became exceedingly important in this highly centralized state. The current government is trying to reestablish control over the regions. Who will win in this geo-political game? Will Russia become a democratic state or it will pull back to the dictatorship? Will newly independent states like Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan gravitate to Russian economic and political domain or create new alliances with other bordering countries?
We will discuss it throughout the course. The class will be focused on changing space economy, environmental and population issues, national identity problems, political orientation in different regions of the post-Soviet space. This course has a lecture-discussion-project format. Students are expected to complete several map assignments, participate in class discussions, and to write a final paper on major topics.
HIST 251C 1W. The History of Russia to 1796
4.00 credits
Raffensperger, Christian
Prerequisite: none.
Russia occupies a unique position between Europe and Asia. This class will explore the creation of the Russian state, leading into the modern period. We will begin with the exploration and settlement of the Vikings in Eastern Europe, which began the genesis of the state known as "Rus'." That European state soon encountered threats from Asia when the Mongols invaded in the thirteenth century. The Mongol invasions changed Russian history and contributed to the "othering" of Russia which has continued to the present day. It also created a situation which leads to the creation of Tsars, Russian emperors who come to dominate their European and Asian territory, eventually leading to the creation of a multi-ethnic empire under Tsar Ivan IV. Ivan's spiritual heirs Peter and Catherine are where we will end the class. The two "greats" dominate the eighteenth century in Russian politics and have a huge impact on the international political scene, changing Russia from the inside out. This course counts toward the PAST minor. Writing intensive
POLI 204H Russian Politics
4 credits
LaPorte, Jody
The purpose of this class is to give the student an introduction to the politics of Russia and post-Soviet Eurasia. There are four general goals: (1) to enable the student to write and talk about the area in a well-informed manner; (2) to give students an in-depth understanding of what the Soviet Union was; (3) to enable the student to understand domestic politics in Russia and post-Soviet Eurasia since 1991; and (4) to help students analyze whether historical forces or current conditions shape domestic politics in the region today. A midterm and final exam plus a ten-page paper are required. 02/12
POLI 309W Politics of Non-Democratic Regimes
4 credits
LaPorte, Jody
Prerequisites: POLI 102S and Jr/Sr class standing
This course is designed to introduce students to the politics of non-democratic regimes. Over recent decades, many political science theories focused on the construction of democracy. However, in many parts of the world authoritarianism is proving remarkably resilient. This course addresses the gap between these theories and empirical realities by focusing on the dynamics of authoritarian rule. The first section of the course explores the forms that non-democracy takes around the world, asking: Who rules in these regimes? The second section of the course examines how rulers stay in power, and how some citizens resist government intrusion into their daily lives. Students will be expected to complete several writing assignments and to participate actively in class discussions. 02/12
WRITING INTENSIVE
RUSS 105 Russian for Professionals
4 credits
Zaharkov, Lila
Prerequisite: None. Open to SCE Stndents only.
First course of a two-course sequence (with RUSS 106F) enabling adults to achieve language competency goals within the context of their professional and personal interests. This sequence introduces Russia's language and culture. The course meets once a week, using the most up-to-date methodology, including video, multimedia language lab, and web-accessed exercises that allow students to work at their own pace. The textbook is accompanied by an instructor-developed manual that enables students to work on assignments between class meetings. Completion of the follow up RUSS 106F with a grade of C- or higher satisfies the Wittenberg Foreign Language Competency requirement.
RUSS 111: Beginning Russian I
(5 semester hours)
L. Zaharkov
Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Afraid of the Russian alphabet? Believe it or not, you already know almost half of it if you know Latin (our) alphabet and a little Greek from being a member of a sorority or a fraternity! After just five days you will be able to read many words that are borrowed from other languages! We use the computer to help us, too! Recent world economic events have convinced us that Russia is indeed an important player in the international economic arena. Don't be left behind! This course also will teach you how to speak and write Russian while learning the structure of the language. In addition, the text for the course is accompanied by an extensive online workbook with many types of exercises to help you succeed.
RUSS 130A/C: Real to Reel: Russian War in Film
(4 semester hours)
L. Zaharkov
Prerequisite: No prerequisite; taught in English
The Russian films in this course
Conflict is the foundation of drama. War, with all its horrors and triumphs, provides an effective setting for conflicts internal as well as external. The unfortunate impact of war throughout Russia's history has permeated its collective consciousness and created a culture that both grieves and celebrates simultaneously, accepting loss and finding hope and small victories in the midst of destruction. The Russian films in this course deal frankly with the anguish of war yet manage to hearten the viewer by the resiliency of the human spirit. All films have English subtitles and all coursework and discussion is in English. Films will be shown in class followed by discussion. We will set the historical framework before we watch the films. Due to the explicit depiction of war atrocities, students sensitive to violent imagery are cautioned in their choice of this class.
RUSS 241: Foreign Language Tutor Training
(2 semester hours)
B. Bertrand
Permission of instructor only
This two-credit, half semester course is designed to train potential foreign language tutors for employment in Wittenberg's Foreign Language Learning Center (FLLC). Learning goals include effective tutoring strategies, training in language technologies, and course-specific sessions with language faculty. The course will be taught in English by the FLLC director and will combine both practical and theoretical material in the form of readings, video segments, discussion, and hands-on practice. Students who complete the course will receive a certificate from the CRLA stating that they are certified level 2 (Advanced) tutors. This course is mandatory for employment in the FLLC.
RUSS 260F/1.2: Understanding Contemporary Russian Social Issues
(2 semester hours)
L. Zaharkov
Prerequisite: Russian 112 or placement at the 200 level
Introduction to reading skills in Russian by using authentic materials from the contemporary Russian press found on the World Wide Web. Discussion of social and cultural issues in today's Russian society.
RUSS 263F/1.1: Russian Film and Culture
(2 semester hours)
L. Zaharkov
Prerequisite: Russian 112 or placement at the 200 level
Through the study of Russian, students will watch and discuss films that acquaint students with contemporary Russian life. Students will learn the vocabulary necessary to discuss the portrayals of family, relationships, changing value systems, and social questions as reflected in Russian film. This course will also help students gain additional language skills in speaking and aural comprehension and includes a thorough review of the case system.
