RUSSIAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Topics, Seminar, and other Course Descriptions Spring 2008-2009

ML Course

M L 301 Twentieth-Century Russian Culture - Prof. Lev Chitkov
Group 2 Credit
A survey of the major Russian contributions in art, architecture, music, dance, literature, film and popular culture during the 20th century. From the Ballets Russes to avant-garde film, from Rachmaninov to Shostakovich, from Chagall to parodies of socialist realism, modern Russian culture is examined in relationship to the society, history and politics of its time. No prerequisites.

Cross-listed courses

MUS 220 Composition

The focus of the spring semester class of composition will be the study of the music of Russian composers Galina Ustvolskaya, Sofia Gubaidulina, and Alfred Schnittke. We will explore influences of the former Soviet Union on the musical style and techniques and their usage of religious symbols in their compositions. In addition to these composers the music of Estonian composer Arvo Part and Polish Composer Henrik Gorecki will be examined as part of the circle of influence of the former Soviet Union. By analyzing this music and processes the student will learn about new techniques, forms, and musical practices that can be applied to their own compositions.
Composition Group 6, 1/2 course each semester. Prerequisite: MUS 114 and 124 or consent of the instructor.

REL 290 Early Christianity 50-550

Early Christianity 50-550 will be a historical survey of ancient Christianity, from its beginnings as one sect among many in first-century Judaism to its establishment as the religion of the Roman Empire. During the class, we will pay paraticular attention to the political and social realities of early Christian history. That is, while we will study themes like martyrdom, the establishment of the canon, the early ascetic movement, the controversies about the nature of the Trinity and the person of Christ, and the role of several emperors in the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, we will always be looking at these developments with an eye to questions of power, status, and the context of empire. Although the course could be a very interesting follow-up to REL 142 (New Testament), that is not a prerequisite for the course ,and students who have no prior experience studying Christianity will not be at a disadvantage.

Updated 11/13/2008