The Art of Vladimir Nabokov (in English) A study of the "perverse" aesthetics of this Russian-American writer. We will expose the hidden plots under the surface of his fiction, follow and arbitrate the ongoing contest between the author and his fictional heroes, and search for the roots of Nabokov's poetics in Western and Russian literary traditions. An attempt will be made to show the continuity between the Russian and English works of this bilingual and bicultural writer.

Beginning Russian This course is a continuation of the approach used in RUSS 0102, but with increased emphasis on reading.

Gogol and Romantic Melancholy (In English) In this course we will explore the corpus of one of the canonical figures of nineteenth-century Russian literature, Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852), a Ukrainian subject of the Russian Empire, and situate him within a broader tradition of romantic melancholy in European culture. How does one describe a world where formerly familiar pathways to transcendence and community have been left in ruins by modernity? Can this loss be remedied in art, or only repeated? And what does that mean for nationalism and empire? Twice weekly discussions, materials in English, though students are encouraged to engage with originals; no prerequisites.

Senior Seminar (in Russian) This seminar topic changes every year.  Recent seminar titles have included Research, Recast, Relay, The History of Russian Poetry, and Russian Drama. This course will provide students with the skills to identify and utilize Russian sources, provide professional quality written summaries and analyses, make oral presentations in Russian, and produce a substantial written assignment and project.

Putinism and Contemporary Russian Culture The 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union was hailed in the West as a triumph of democracy over totalitarianism; for some observers the event even signaled “the end of history.” Today however it seems history is “back,” with Russia under Putin once again assuming its former role as enemy and the “other” of the West. In this course we will seek a better understanding of this apparent reversal of vectors from within Russian culture, while situating it within larger illiberal trends in world politics, by analyzing literary works, popular cinema, political theory, journalism, social media, and other forms of cultural production.

Beginning Russian This course is a continuation of RUSS 0101.

Beginning Russian This course is an approach to the language using four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). It provides a firm control of the sound system and the structure of Russian. Although much emphasis is put on the spoken colloquial language, reading, writing, and a conscious understanding of the fundamentals of grammar prepare a strong foundation for work in advanced courses or for reading in specialized fields.

The Russian Mind (in English) In this course we will study the dominant themes of Russia's past and their role in shaping the present-day Russian mind. Topics will include: Slavic mythology; Russian Orthodoxy; Russian icons; the concept of autocracy; the legacy of Peter the Great and Catherine the Great; the Golden Age of Russian Literature (Pushkin, Gogol, Tolstoy and Dostoevsky); Russian composers, including the "Mighty Five"; Russian theater and ballet; the origins of Russian radicalism; the Russian Revolution; the legacy of Lenin and Stalin; and Russia from Khrushchev to Putin.

Life is Short: Introduction to the Russian Short Story Russian literature may be best known in the West for producing big lumbering novels, novels thicker than bricks—think War & Peace, Brothers Karamazov, or Gulag Archipelago—but from the beginning of the nineteenth century on, many of its greatest prose masterpieces emerge from a seemingly lesser, though nimbler genre—the short story. In this course we will read classic short works by Pushkin, Gogol, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Nabokov and others, and learn to analyze them in a sophisticated way; we will also learn about Russian culture, and, more broadly, what makes literature what it is. All readings in English.

Russian Culture and Civilization II This course is a continuation of RUSS 0311 but may be taken independently with the approval of the instructor. It offers a bilingual approach to the study of Russian culture.  Works of literature, art, film, and music will be examined in their historical and political context. Particular attention will be devoted to the improvement of oral and written skills. As the course topics and emphasis change, depending on the levels of students enrolled, RUSS0312 may be taken a second time with instructor/chair approval.

Matthew Walker

Reviews and ratings for Matthew Walker at Middlebury College.Matthew Walker teaches The Art of Nabokov, Beginning Russian, The Art Of Nabokov and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Matthew Walker good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

There were a lot of readings. The presentation and class time was very very engaging, but fast paced. I wish there was some discussion in small groups but there was none. So prepare for lots of info during class time and lots of readings. The quizes were super easy. Loved the format of testing and essays. Personally I prefer more interactive classes but the content is extremely interesting and informative. 

Professor Walker is extremely chill and enthusiastic! The readings were constant but not excessive, and the prof was very understanding with regard to not being able to finish work on time. If you demonstrate your interest and effort it’s super easy to get an A. 

Prof. Walker assigns lots of reading but it is all very valuable, and he is very fair in his expectations. Took this as a CW and it paid off, got to write an interesting final essay and thought a lot of watched we watched/read was very valuable. We also got to speak to Russians/Ukrainians who were involved in protests in early 2010s. Super useful. 