Russian Studies
University of New Mexico
Course listings for Fall Semester, 2007
315/515-001 Russia 1613-1855
Instructor: R. Robbins
MWF 1:00-1:50
The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful. Aleksei Mikhailovich
("The most gentle Tsar"), Peter the Great, Anna Ionnovna (expletive deleted),
Elizaveta Petrovna ("Not an ounce of monastic flesh in her entire body"),
Catherine the Great, Nicholas I ("The Stick"), and many others get their story
told in this survey. But there is more than lust and lunacy here. This is
Russia's great age, her emergence as a major European power. This course will
chronicle the development of Russia's basic institutions and style of
government, the birth of her modern literature and the beginnings of the
revolutionary movement.
Lectures emphasize political trends, readings cover social and intellectual
developments.
Written work: a mid-term; and a final examination. Two short papers on topics selected by the instructor or, if the student prefers, a term paper on a subject of her/his own choice.
316/516-001 Russia 1855-1924
Instructor: R. Robbins
MWF 10:00-10:50
The central focus of this course is the Great Russian Revolution of 1917-1924, one of the defining events of the twentieth century. Why did it the tsarist regime collapse, and why did power pass into the hands of Vladimir Lenin and the Bolshevik fraction he led? Why did a struggle for freedom and social justice produce an even greater tyranny? The answers to these questions are not simply found in the revolutionary years themselves, but in the half century of profound economic, social, political and intellectual change that preceded them. In a series of lectures and class discussions, we will examine the era of the “Great Reforms,” the rise of populist and marxist revolutionary movements, the beginnings of Russian industrialization and the first efforts at creating a parliamentary system, before turning to the revolution itself. In addition, we will give considerable attention to cultural trends and show how a ”revolution” in the arts and literature presaged and accompanied the upheavals in Russian politics and society.
Written work: A midterm and a final examination. Either two 5-8 page papers on topics presented by the instructor or a term paper.
101-001 Elementary Russian
Instructor: B. Lindsey
MWF 11:00-11:50
101-002 Elementary Russian
Instructor: Staff
MWF 2:00-2:50
201-001 Intermediate Russian
Instructor: T. Ivanova-Sullivan
MWF 12:00-12:50
301-001 Advanced Russian
Instructor: N. Kolchevska
MWF 12:00-12:50
221-001 Russia’s Legacy
Instructor: M. Oborotova
W 1:00-2:30
This seminar will examine the contribution of Russia to world culture. We will discuss and enjoy Russian painting, architecture, sculpture, music and literature of the 9th-20th centuries in the broad context of Russian history, politics and economics.
Our class will take virtual trips to Russia’s ancient and modern cities—Novgorod, Kiev, Vladimir, Suzdal, Moscow, St. Petersburg. It will go on imaginary tours of the country’s best museums—the Tretyakov Gallery, the Hermitage and the Russian Museum. Together we will sample the music of Glinka, Chaikovskii, Rimskii-Korsakov, Prokofiev and others. Students will get acquainted with the masterpieces of Russian writers and poets from Karamzin and Pushkin to Bulgakov and Akhmatova. Exposure to Russian “haute” cuisine and modern everyday culture is optional and will be determined by students’ preferences.
Readings: W. Bruce Lincoln, Between Heaven and Hell: The Story of a Thousand Years of Artistic Life in Russia (see instructor about obtaining the book)
Requirements: An oral presentation and a paper, participation in class discussions, an open and critical mind, a sunny disposition, and interest in overseas cultures and traditions.