Women in Russian Culture RUSS 284 MW 12:30-1:50 Meneely Hall 201 Francoise Rosset  Spring 2001 Russian 284 is an English-language course on the role of women in Russian culture. It is open to students at any level. We will explore and discuss the role of women in Russian history and politics, and works devoted to the "woman question." But the largest portion of the class will be devoted to works by women, in literature and poetry, in politics and science, as well as in the arts -- ballet, film and painting. NOTE: No knowledge of the Russian language is assumed, nor is it needed. Russian Art Gallery (PASSWORD required) Art Gallery: Russian Women Artists (PASSWORD required) Click here to find worksheet on Bronislava Nijinska Readings: readings assigned for Exam I

TEXTBOOKS and class materials Also check below for materials at the Library. -- Anthology of Russian Women's Writing 1977-1992, ed. Catriona Kelly, provides a broad overview (optional) -- Lives in Transit, ed. Helena Goscilo, includes recent work by Russian women writers. -- Bronislava Nijinska, by Nancy Norman Van Baer, on ballet and choreography. -- Amazons of the Russian Avant-Garde, eds. John Bowlt and Matthew Drutt, on women painters -- Films on reserve at the Library include: Fear and the Muse, on Akhmatova, Paris Dances Diaghilev, which includes Nijinska's ballet Les Noces, and the feature films: Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears, Komissar, Little Vera, Wings, and Adam's Rib. -- a Course packet will be available in Knapton 007 for additional materials.

CLASSES are conducted in English and center on the discussion of assigned material, texts, video/film or art works. You are encouraged to contribute actively, and must show evidence of clear and substantive preparation. There will be quizzes, required notes, and short presentations. Students are expected to attend class: you may have up to three absences, excused or otherwise. PRESENTATIONS All should expect to prepare and perform occasional short in-class presentations on assigned materials. These will be done mostly in groups, and will be judged both on content and on performance. They will include some level of directing class discussion.

GRADES will be determined as follows: there will be two in-class tests, two-three papers -- for a total of 12 pages, as well as a self-scheduled final examination. 20% class: attendance, preparation, participation, presentations 40% in-class tests (20 % each) 20% papers 20% final exam THE INSTRUCTOR Françoise Rosset, Department of Russian Office and phone: Knapton 002, x3696 Office hours: M Tu and F, 10:30-12:00 e-mail: frosset

NEWS: Final exam: the final for this course is a 3-hour closed-book self-scheduled exam. You are already familiar with one question, which will require you to identify the author/ creator/ painter/ choreographer of several works from this course, and to identify this author by her first and last name. A few more exam questions will look familiar -- either variations or a repeat ... Last assignment The following are the sources of material for our last few sessions: Amazons of the Russian Avant-Garde, eds. Bowlt and Drutt. On reserve or use your own copy. Women Artists of Russia's New Age, by M. Yablonskaya. Two copies on reserve. Also be sure to view the paintings on our Gallery (link below)

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Maintained by: FR, frosset@wheatonma.edu.
Created: 9/00
Modified: 8/02
The picture at the top is a detail from Zinaida Serebriakova, Pierrot, 1911.