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.

Beginning Russian This course is a continuation of RUSS 0101.

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

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.

Russian Literature's Golden Age: 1830-1880 (in English) Duels, ghosts, utopias, murders, prostitution, and adultery- these are the raw materials Russian authors turned into some of the world's greatest literature. This course is an introduction to Russian literature of the 19th century, from the short stories of Pushkin and Gogol to the great novels of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. The centrality of literature in Russian society and the interrelations among the authors and texts will be discussed. How do the authors combine reality, fantasy, and philosophy to make these works both uniquely Russian and universal?

Intermediate Russian Systematic review of grammar and development of the spoken and written skills attained in Beginning Russian.

Intermediate Russian Continuation of the approach used in RUSS 0201. Reading of contemporary Russian texts, conversation, and written assignments in Russian based on reading assignments.

Slavic Myths, Fairy-Tales, and Fantasy (in English) In this course we will explore the world of the Slavic folklore and get acquainted with its most prominent motifs and characters: Baba Yaga the Bone Leg, Vasilisa the Wise, Koschei the Deathless, and many others. We will trace the development of these motifs and characters from their earliest appearance in Slavic myths and fairy-tales, through the works of Russian literature of the 19th and 20th century (Gogol, Pushkin, Bulgakov, the Strugatsky brothers), and, finally, see how they make their way into the texts of contemporary Russian, Ukrainian, Croatian, Polish and American fantasy authors (Tokarczuk, Ugresic, Sapkovski, Arden, etc.).

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.

Russian Culture and Civilization I This course 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 emphasis 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, RUSS0311 may be taken a second time with instructor/chair approval.

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.

Tolstoy (in English) In this course we will focus on major works by literary giant Leo Tolstoy. Students will be introduced to his epic range, philosophical depth, and psychological acuteness. Readings encompass early short fiction including selected Sevastopol Tales, Three Deaths, and Family Happiness; in-depth analysis of his masterpiece War and Peace; and several late, post-conversion works including The Death of Ivan Ilych, The Kreutzer Sonata, and Master and Man. Excerpts from Tolstoy's memoirs, diaries, and letters. No knowledge of Russian required.

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.

Advanced Russian (in Russian) Most of the course will focus on current events and developments in social, political, and cultural life in contemporary Russia.  Readings will include a variety of authentic materials to further develop students’ ability to read, analyze and discuss complex issues and advance proficiency in reading, writing and oral comprehension. It is designed for students who have already spent a semester or more studying and living in Russia, or who have attained a high level of Russian language proficiency.

Advanced Reading and Discussion (in Russian) This advanced course is for those students who could not study in Russia but have attained a high level of Russian language proficiency. The goal of this course is to help students improve their ability to read, write, and talk about politics, culture and literature in Russia. We will focus on recent events in Russia over domestic political situations, and international relations, read articles, literary works, and follow social media.

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.

Reflection of the modern Russian society on Soviet cinematography as nostalgia for social state The USSR was an autocratic model of a social state. For all the shortcomings of this model, the Soviet people had social guarantees and standards of living that were lost in the 90s of the 20th century after the collapse of the country. Over the past two decades, Russians became nostalgic about Soviet cinematographic heritage, which displayed certain values of life in a state that proclaimed social support and equal rights and opportunities for all. We will watch Russian movies (available online) from the Soviet era, with English subtitles, and discuss why they have become so popular in 2000-s in Russia.

Kevin Moss

Matthew Walker

Nana Tsikhelashvili

Sasha Portice

Tatiana Smorodinska

Timothy Portice

Victoria Juharyan

Read 13 reviews for Russian courses at Middlebury College. Find the best Russian professors and courses.  Discover your new major today!

Incredibly interesting course that not only delved into how Putin came to power but the cultural and societal factors that helped boost his political career. Lots of independent movie-watching for homework. 

I loved this class. The content was engaging, and the class discussions created unparalleled engagement with the text. Each class started off with some historical context to the author, the region, or the period in which the text was written before jumping into discussion for the remainder of class. 

Professor Portice is funny, engaging, knowledgable, and helpful. Portice explains some tricky concepts slowly and well, and he gives lots of examples. In class, our group work gives us the opportunity to practice the material we are learning. I loved him and he knows a lot about Russian linguistics and culture. 