Spring 2007

RUS 330 • Old Russian: History Through Literature

Course Description

Chronicles, epics, tales, and spiritual writings in Kievan Rus and Muscovy will be used to track political and cultural shifts in early Russian history. Readings will be in English. Students interested in examining the language of early texts through modern Russian translations will have the option to do so. The readings in Zenkovsky's anthology will provide glimpses into ever changing world of Russian saints, princes, patriarchs, heretics, and tsars.

Grading Policy

Mid-term exam 30% Final exam 40% Plus a Russian text, or One (of four) assigned readings 20% Class participation 10%

Texts

Serge Zenkovsky, Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles, and Tales. Dm. Likhachev, A History of Russian Literature, 11th-17th Centuries (on reserve) S.H. Cross, The Russian Primary Chronicle (on reserve) Nicholas Riasanovsky, A History of Russia (on reserve) James Billington, The Icon and the Axe (on reserve)

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