Faculty

Yelaina Kripkov, senior instructor (Russian language, culture); coordinator, Russian language program. M.A., 1983, Moscow State Pedagogical Institute; Ph.D., 1996, Kansas. (1995)

Julia Nemirovskaya, adjunct assistant professor (Russian literature and theater). M.A., 1986, Ph.D., 1991, Moscow State. (2002)

Participating

Julie Hessler, history (20th-century Russia, Europe)

Katya E. Hokanson, comparative literature (Russian literature, travel literature, cultural studies)

Esther Jacobson-Tepfer, art history (Asian art, art of inner Asia during the Bronze and Iron Ages)

R. Alan Kimball, history (modern Russia)

Mark Levy, music (ethnomusicology)

Mikhail Myagkov, political science (comparative politics, formal political theory)

Jenifer Presto, comparative literature (19th- and 20th-century Russian and European poetry, symbolism, feminism)

Stephen J. Shoemaker, religious studies (history of Eastern Christianity)

Carol T. Silverman, anthropology (performance, eastern Europe, gender)

Caleb Southworth, sociology (economic sociology, postsocialist societies, quantitative-historical methods)

Cynthia M. Vakareliyska, linguistics (Slavic linguistics)

Ronald Wixman, geography (former Soviet Union, eastern Europe, cultural geography)

Courtesy

Richard Morris, courtesy professor (Russian and East European regional studies). M.A., 1975 Western Washington; Ph.D., 1981, Oregon. (1982)

Nathan Rosen, courtesy professor (Russian literature). B.A., 1941, Brooklyn; M.A., 1948, Ph.D. 1961, Columbia. (1990)

Emeriti

James L. Rice, professor emeritus. A.B., 1960, Harvard; M.A., 1964, Ph.D., 1965, Chicago. (1967)

Fruim Yurevich, senior instructor emeritus. Diploma, 1959, Astrakhan State Pedagogical Institute; M.A., 1976, Oregon. (1975)

Associated

John E. Bonine, law

Mieczyslaw “Mischa” E. Buczkowski, library

Mary-Lyon Dolezal, art history

Sherwin Simmons, art history

Andrew Verner, business

Marc Weinstein, management

Lisa Wolverton, history

The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.

About the Center [back to top]

The Russian and East European Studies Center (REESC) is devoted to the study of the peoples living in the eastern third of Europe, throughout the northern steppes of Central Asia, and across Siberia to the Pacific Ocean. Settled over a territory that spans half the earth’s time zones, these peoples have created a complex mosaic of cultures, expressed in literature and art as well as in institutions and social forms. Over the centuries, these lands have come under the sway of several great world-historical civilizations and empires: the Byzantine, Mongolian, Ottoman Turkish, Holy Roman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Soviet. These lands have felt the influence of Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, and Communism. At the intersection of many powerful forces, these lands experience the historical drama of what some call “modernization” with its challenge to customary ways of life. Yet, after centuries of massive transplantation and transformation, national and ethnic heritages survive. Customary ways and native self-consciousness, more diverse than anywhere else on the globe, express themselves with new vigor.

Visiting Faculty Members. The center sponsors extended stays by visiting Fulbright and International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) scholars from Russia and Eastern Europe.

Overseas Study. Qualified students of Russian may spend a summer, semester, or academic year in the Commonwealth of Independent States-in the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) Cooperative Russian Language Program, of which the University of Oregon is an affiliate. Participating CIEE schools include Novosibirsk State University and St. Petersburg University. Students may also participate in Moscow and St. Petersburg programs sponsored by the American Council of Teachers of Russian. Opportunities also exist for study in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Limited fellowship aid is available for these programs.

Students in University of Oregon overseas study programs enroll in courses with subject codes that are unique to individual programs. Special course numbers are reserved for overseas study. See International Programs in the Academic Resources section of this catalog. Students interested in study in the Commonwealth of Independent States or in Eastern Europe should write or call the Overseas Program Coordinator, Office of International Programs, 5209 University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403-5209; telephone (541) 346-3206.

Cultural Programs. The center sponsors lectures, panel discussions, symposiums, films, plays, exhibitions, concerts, and festivals. These presentations involve scholars from other institutions in the United States and Europe as well as specialists at the university. In addition, the center faculty engages in outreach activities with local schools, community groups, and organizations such as the Eugene-Irkutsk Sister City Committee. Students in the center organized a Russian Club.

Resources. The University of Oregon’s library has more than 130,000 volumes in the Russian and other Slavic and East European languages, more than 60,000 on Russia and Eastern Europe in Western languages; and subscribes to more than 100 serial titles. The library also has a large collection of Russian and East European films. The bulk of the collection is in the humanities and social sciences.

Facilities at the well-known Yamada Language Center enhance the learning of Slavic and East European languages. For more information see Yamada Language Center in the Services for Students section of this catalog.

General Requirements

Fields of Concentration. The center offers the following concentrations for the undergraduate major and minor, the master’s degree, and the graduate certificate:

• Russian literature

• Slavic linguistics

• Russian and East European history

• Contemporary Russia, East Europe, and Eurasia

Courses with these focus areas are offered by the center and such participating departments as anthropology, geography, history, political science, and sociology. Any course taken that includes instruction on one these focus areas and has at least 40 percent Russian, East European, former Soviet Eurasian, or Slavic content, including independent research undertaken by the student, may be applied to the field of concentration requirement with administrative approval. Students may petition to have courses taken in other disciplines count toward the concentration or elective requirement if the content of these courses meets the 40 percent standard. This applies to regularly scheduled courses and to independent reading and conference courses.

Students can request sample programs of study in the various concentrations from their adviser or from the center’s office.

Undergraduate Studies [back to top]

The Russian and East European Studies Center offers a bachelor of arts degree (B.A.) and a minor. The undergraduate certificate is inactive.

Major Requirements

The major requires 40 graded credits; courses must be passed with grades of C- or better. ­Credits used to fulfill the language requirement may not be applied to the 40-credit requirement.

1. Language. Three years of college study or equivalent in languages of the region. The language requirement is fulfulled by taking three years of a Slavic language—usually Russian. Students may petition to substitute one year of a second Slavic language for one year of the primary Slavic language. The language option is chosen in consultation with REESC advisers

2. Field of concentration. Four 4-credit upper-division courses in one of the concentrations described under General Requirements, of which two must be 400-level courses

3. Research. A research paper written in conjunction with one of the upper-division courses or as a separate reading and conference course in the field of concentration

4. Electives. Twenty-four credits of course work, of which at least 12 (typically three 4-credit courses) must be upper-division. Up to 8 of these credits may be in the concentration area, but may not be used to satisfy both the concentration requirement and the elective requirement. Electives must include courses in at least two fields outside the concentration

Double Majors

Subject to REESC approval, up to four 300- and 400-level courses taken to fulfill requirements for a second major may be used to fulfill the 40-credit requirement of the REESC major. To apply for a double major, students must complete and submit a declaration form to the center’s office.

Honors in Russian and East European Studies

Majors who have an overall GPA of 3.50 by the end of the junior year and who are interested in honors should meet with their adviser, then submit a thesis proposal to the center’s director for approval. If approved, the student registers for a minimum of 4 credits in Thesis (403) under the supervision of a REESC faculty member. The thesis, which fulfills the research requirement, must be completed at least one term before the term of graduation.

Minor Requirements

The minor requires 28 graded credits; courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better. Courses taken to fulfill major requirements may not be used to fulfill the 28-credit requirement.

1. Language. See Language under Major Requirements above

2. Field of Concentration. Three 4-credit courses in one concentration, of which two must be upper division and at least one must be a 400-level course

3. Research. See Research under Major Requirements above

4. Electives. Sixteen credits of course work, of which 12 credits (typically three 4-credit courses) must be upper division. Up to 4 credits of elective course work may be taken in the concentration area, but may not be use to satisfy both the concentration requirement and the elective requirement

There is no limit on the number of language courses taken at other universities, including courses taken abroad, that may be used to satisfy the language requirement for the major or minor, subject to an equivalency assessment by the Russian language coordinator. With respect to concentration and elective requirements, undergraduate majors may apply up to 4 upper-division transfer credits toward the concentration and up to 12 transfer credits toward the elective requirement, but not toward universitywide graduation requirements.

Secondary School Teaching Careers

The College of Education offers a fifth-year program for teaching licensure in foreign language. This program is described in the College of Education section of this catalog.

Graduate Studies [back to top]

The Russian and East European Studies Center offers a master of arts (M.A.) and a graduate certificate in Russian and East European studies. The center is affiliated with the master’s and Ph.D. programs in comparative literature and linguistics, and students in the center have also successfully applied to Ph.D. programs in history, geography, and other fields.

Master of Arts

Application. Graduate application materials are available in the center’s office. The application deadline for admission the following fall term is February 1. Applicants who are not seeking graduate fellowship support are considered for admission throughout the academic year if space is available in the program.

Incoming candidates for the master’s degree must meet with an adviser and take a Russian proficiency examination on the Friday before the beginning of their first academic term.

Graduate students are expected to meet regularly with their adviser and submit an updated program plan every spring term. Students and their advisers use degree planning sheets to design individual programs.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. in Russian and East European Studies requires 49 graded graduate-level credits; courses must be passed with grades of B- or better. Credits used to fulfill the language requirement may not be applied to the 49-credit requirement. The M.A. typically takes six terms to complete, but can be finished in less time if the student takes courses during summer session.

1. Language. Four years of college study of a Slavic language or equivalent, plus reading competency as defined by a translation exam in the student’s field of concentration. In exceptional cases, a student may petition to substitute one year of a second Slavic language or equivalent mastery for one of the years of the primary language, but must pass the reading exam. Native speakers of a Slavic language may petition to substitute an appropriate alternative measure of English competency to the translation exam

2. Field of Concentration. Four graduate-level courses in a field of concentration. A written comprehensive examination on the field of concentration is typically taken the term prior to submission of the thesis

3. Research and Thesis. Candidates research and write a thesis, earning 9 credits of Thesis (503). The thesis is defended before the candidate’s committee. The defense may include discussion of the comprehensive exam

4. Electives. Six graduate-level courses, of which two may be in the field of concentration. The electives must include courses in at least two fields outside the student’s concentration

Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate in Russian and East European studies requires 32 graded graduate-level credits; courses must be passed with grades of B- or better. Credits used to fulfill the language requirement may not be applied to the 32-credit requirement.

1. Language. Four years of college study or equivalent in languages of the region. The language requirement may be fulfilled by either of the following options:

a. Four years of one Slavic language

b. A total of four years in two languages of the region

2. Field of Concentration. Three graduate-level courses in a selected field of concentration

3. Research. A research paper written in conjunction with a course or as a separate reading course in their field of concentration

4. Electives. Four graduate-level courses, of which one may be in the field of concentration

The certificate may be earned in conjunction with any M.A. or Ph.D. degree. Courses taken to fulfill the graduate degree may also be used to fulfill certificate requirements. Master’s candidates in the Russian and East European Studies Center may earn the graduate certificate if the field of concentration chosen for the certificate is not the same as the one for the master’s degree.

Russian Courses (RUSS) [back to top]

101, 102, 103 First-Year Russian (5,5,5) Elementary Russian grammar, conversation, reading, and composition.

121 Spoken Russian (1–2R) Practice in improving Russian speech, comprehension, and listening skills. Exercises reinforce grammar and vocabulary learned in class instruction. Coreq: RUSS 101, 102, 103. R twice for maximum of 6 credits.

196 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–2R)

198 Workshop: [Topic] (1–2R)

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R) R when topic changes.

201, 202, 203 Second-Year Russian (5,5,5) Intermediate Russian grammar, reading, conversation, and composition. Study of representative literary works. Kripkov.

204, 205, 206 Introduction to Russian Literature (4,4,4) Survey of Russian literature from its origins to the present; emphasis on Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, and contemporary works. Readings, lectures, and discussions in English. Hokanson, Presto.

221 Spoken Russian (1–2R) See description for RUSS 121. Coreq: RUSS 201, 202, 203. R twice for maximum of 6 credits.

240 Russian Culture (4) Comparative aesthetics and development of art, film, architecture, music, and literature in the context of Russian intellectual history. Readings, lectures, and discussions in English.

304, 306 Doing Business in Russia (4,4) 304: introduction to Russia as a country and to the Russian people, their cultural heritage, traditions, and social values. Reports on business topics. 306: issues of morality; rebirth of religion, rise of criminality, commercialization of culture in contemporary Russia. Business communication and terminology. Conducted in English. Kripkov.

RUSS 309 Russian through Theater (2–4R) Combined elements of Russian language, literature, and culture learned through participation in a theater production. Credits vary with degree of involvement. Prereq: RUSS 103. R when different theater production is offered.

316, 317, 318 Third-Year Russian (5,5,5) Intensive study of literary works by representative 19th- and 20th-century writers; extensive practice in speaking, writing, and comprehension. Conducted in Russian. Prereq: RUSS 203 or equivalent. Kripkov.

331 Russian Short Story (4) Analysis of short stories by important 19th- and 20th-century Russian writers in the context of social, political, and literary development. Readings in English. Offered alternate years. Presto.

334 Dostoevsky (4) Introduction to the novels and short stories of Dostoevsky. His literary, ethical, and political development. Readings and instruction in English. Presto.

335 Tolstoy (4) Examines short and long works by Leo Tolstoy, focusing on ethical questions and Tolstoy’s literary art. Readings and instruction in English. Hokanson, Presto.

340 Russian Women in Literature (4) Explores writings and lives of Russian women in the 19th and 20th centuries and their image in literature. Readings and instruction in English. Offered alternate years. Hokanson.

350 Russian Cinema (4) Introduction to major Russian and Soviet filmmakers and their works.

351 Russian Literature and Film (4) Explores contemporary Russian and Soviet culture through film and fiction. Presto.

399 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R) R when topic changes.

401 Research: [Topic] (2–6R)

403 Thesis (3–6R)

405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–6R)

406 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–21R)

407/507 Seminar: [Topic] (2–4R) R when topic changes.

408/508 Colloquium: [Topic] (2–4R) Special on-campus activities. Conducted in Russian. R when topic changes.

409 Practicum: [Topic] (1–5R)

410/510 Experimental Course: [Topic] (2–4R) R when topic changes.

411/511 Russian History and Literature: [Topic] (4R) Readings, lectures, and texts from the 10th through the 20th centuries. R twice when topic changes for maximum of 12 credits. Rice.

426/526 Classics of Russian Poetry: [Topic] (4R) Comprehensive study of selected topics in Russian poetry (e.g., Alexander Pushkin, Russian symbolism, acmeism, futurism, and contemporary poetry). R twice when topic changes for maximum of 12 credits. Presto, Rice.

434/534 Russian Literature: [Topic] (4R) Comprehensive study of selected topics in Russian literature, (e.g., 20th-century, contemporary, and Old Russian literature). R twice when topic changes for maximum of 12 credits.

436/536 Advanced Russian: [Topic] (4R) Analysis of Russian texts, films, and TV broadcasts about selected topics in Russian culture, literature, politics, and economics with practice in comprehension, conversation, and composition. Prereq: RUSS 318 or equivalent. R twice when topic changes for a maximum of 12 credits. Kripkov.

444/544 Slavic Linguistics: [Topic] (4R) Comparative survey of Slavic languages, their relationships to each other, and the characterizing features of each individual language. Prereq: RUSS 203 or LING 290. R when topic changes. Vakareliyska.

445/545 Old Church Slavonic (4) Sound system and grammar of Old Church Slavonic; its role as a primary source of evidence on the development of the Slavic languages. Readings from Old Church Slavonic texts. Prereq: RUSS 203 or LING 290 or equivalent. Vakareliyska.

503 Thesis (1–9R)

601 Research: [Topic] (2–6R)

602 Supervised College Teaching (1–5R)

605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–6R)

606 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–16R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

608 Colloquium: [Topic] (2–4R)

609 Practicum: [Topic] (1–5R)

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)

Russian and East European Studies Courses (REES) [back to top]

196 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–2R)

198 Workshop: [Topic] (1–2R)

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

315 Politics of Language (4) Examines some of the major social issues involving language politics in post-1990 Eastern Europe. Vakareliyska.

399 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

401 Research: [Topic] (2–6R)

403 Thesis (3–6R)

405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–5R)

406 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–21R)

407/507 Seminar: [Topic] (2–4R)

408/508 Colloquium: [Topic] (2–4R)

409 Supervised Tutoring: [Topic] (1–3R)

410/510 Experimental Course: [Topic] (2–6R)

503 Thesis (1–9R)

601 Research: [Topic] (2–6R)

605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–6R)

606 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–16R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

608 Colloquium: [Topic] (1–16R)

609 Practicum: [Topic] (1–16R)

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)