Spring Quarter 2015: Expanded Course Descriptions

Please click here to see the Spring Schedule as a PDF


  LOWER DIVISION COURSES  


RUSSIAN 003. Elementary Russian (5 units)
Elizabeth Matthews

MTWRF 9:00 - 9:50A
27 Wellman Hall
CRN 49627

Course Description: This is the last course in the Elementary Russian sequence. The course will continue to review areas of grammar and development of all language skills in a cultural context with special emphasis on communication.

Prerequisite: Russian 002 or Language Placement Exam.

GE credit (Old): Arts & Humanities.
GE credit (New): Arts & Humanities and World Cultures.

Format: Discussion - 5 hours; Laboratory - 1 hour.

Textbooks:

  • Richard Robin et al., Golosa: A Basic Course in Russian, Book 1 (5th Edition)  (Prentice Hall, 2011)
  • Richard Robin, et al, Student Activities Manual for Golosa: A Basic Course in Russian, Book 1 (5th Edition)  (Prentice Hall, 2011)
     

RUSSIAN 006. Intermediate Russian (4 units)
Anna Reznik

MTWR 10:00 - 10:50A
207 Wellman Hall
CRN 49628

Course Description: This is the last course in the Intermediate Russian sequence. Students will continue to review grammar, be introduced to short literature, and practice intermediate level conversations.

Prerequisite: Russian 005 or Language Placement Exam.

GE credit (Old): Arts & Humanities.
GE credit (New): Arts & Humanities and World Cultures.

Format: Discussion - 4 hours; Laboratory - 1 hour.

Textbooks:

  • Olga Kagan, et al., V Puti: Russian Grammar in Context, 2nd Edition(Prentice Hall, 2005)
  • Olga Kagan, et al., V Puti: Russian Grammar in Context Student Activities Manual, 2nd Edition (Prentice Hall, 2005)
     

  UPPER DIVISION COURSES  


RUSSIAN 101C. Advanced Russian (4 units)
Liliana Avramenko

MWF 11:00 - 11:50A
25 Wellman Hall
CRN 49640

Course Description: This is the last course in the Advanced Russian sequence. Students will continue to refine their reading comprehension, writing skills, conversational competence, and grammar knowledge. Materials for discussion will include articles from the contemporary media, recent films, classic and modern literature. Goals of the course are to complete a study of the basic elements of Russian grammar (nouns, verbs, adjectives, gender and case agreement, plural), spelling rules, to increase active and passive vocabulary, to initiate speaking ability, to develop advanced reading and writing skills, and to learn more about Russian culture. Homework will consist of reading texts, writing answers to questions, grammar exercises and short essays. Students will make oral presentations in class.

Prerequisite: Russian 101B or consent of instructor (lavramenko@ucdavis.edu).

GE credit (Old): Arts & Humanities.
GE credit (New): Arts & Humanities and World Cultures.

Format: Lecture/Discussion - 3 hours; Extensive Writing.

Textbook:

  • Olga Kagan, et al., Russian for Russians  (Slavica Publishers, 2002)

[Available online]

Alexander Pushkin, The Captain's Daughter


RUSSIAN 105. Advanced Russian Conversation (4 units)
Liliana Avramenko

MWF 9:00 - 9:50A
101 Wellman Hall
CRN 52606

Course Description: This course focuses on the acquisition of advanced oral skills in Russian, using recent Russian films (from approximately 1980-2010) as a focal point for discussion and analysis. Class time will frequently consist of pair and small group work.

Prerequisite: Russian 006.

GE credit (Old): Arts & Humanities.
GE credit (New): Arts & Humanities and Oral Literacy.

Format: Recitation - 3 hours; Practice - 1 hour.

Textbook:

  • Olga Kagan, et al., Cinema for Russian Conversation, Volume 2  (Focus Publishing, 2006)
     

RUSSIAN 143. Chekhov (4 units)    IN ENGLISH
Olga Stuchebrukhov

TR 10:30-11:50A
293 Kerr Hall
CRN 52607

Course Description: This course examines the unique legacy of a famous Russian playwright and short –story writer, Anton Chekhov (1860 –1904). We will read and analyze a number of Chekhov’s short stories and his major plays, such as The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters, and Uncle Vanya. To understand Chekhov’s significant contribution to world literature and the unique nature of his writing method, we will compare his works to the works by other 19th-century Russian and European authors, such as Turgenev, Tolstoy, Maupassant, Zola, and others.

All texts are read in English translation. No knowledge of Russian required.

Course Policies and Requirements

Essays and Exams

Essay (5 pages): detailed essay requirements and topics will be provided. You will be given the opportunity to work on your first draft and resubmit your improved essay.

Your in-class midterm will test your understanding of Chekhov’s uniqueness as a short-story writer. It will consist of two sections: multiple-choice questions (50%) and two free-response questions (25% each). Detailed instructions will be provided.

Your take-home final will test your understanding of Chekhov’s unique legacy as a playwright. Detailed instructions will be provided.

Evaluation Policy

Participation (includes h/w, quizzes, group work, etc.) 20% 
Essay (5 pages) 30%
In-Class Midterm 20%
Take-Home Final (5 pages) 30%

Prerequisite: None.

GE credit (Old): Arts & Humanities, Diversity and Writing Experience.
GE credit (New): Arts & Humanities, World Cultures, and Writing Experience.

Format: Lecture/Discussion - 3 hours; Extensive Writing.

Textbooks:

  • Anton Chekhov, The Plays of Anton Chekhov, translated by Paul Schmidt  (Harper Perennial, 1998)
  • William Shakespeare, Four Great Tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, edited by Sylvan Barnet, et al.  (Signet Classics, 1998)
  • Alexander Ostrovsky, Without a Dowry and Other Plays, translated by Norman Henley  (The Overlook Press, 2014)