Russian and East European Studies

The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures offers courses in the Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Czech, Polish, and Russian languages and literatures, and other Slavic and East European cultures, leading to a BA in Russian and East European Studies. The BA degree program is designed to provide students with skills and facility in the languages and cultures of the region. It is intended for students preparing for graduate work, those planning a career in government or industry, and those whose primary aim is to master Russian and East European cultures in the original languages. Students interested in the program are encouraged to consult with the director of undergraduate studies. The contact information for the current director of undergraduate studies may be obtained by consulting the departmental website at slavic.uchicago.edu.
Students who are majoring in other fields of study may also complete a minor in Russian and East European Studies.
Depending on the language(s) of concentration, it is recommended that students majoring in REES satisfy the general education requirement in civilization studies with SOSC 24000-24100 Introduction to Russian Civilization I-II or HIST 13100-13200-13300 History of Western Civilization I-II-III.
Students who are majoring or minoring in Russian and East European Studies must receive a quality grade in all courses taken to meet requirements in the major or minor. Nonmajors and nonminors have the option of taking courses on a P/F basis at the discretion of the instructor (except for language courses, which must be taken for quality grades). For the major a minimum of seven courses must bear University of Chicago course numbers and be completed for quality grades.
To be eligible for honors in Russian and East European Studies, students must maintain an overall College GPA of 3.25 or higher and of 3.5 or higher in the major. Students must indicate their intention to pursue honors to the director of undergraduate studies no later than the end of the first week of the first quarter of their fourth year.
In addition, students pursuing honors must write an acceptable BA paper in their final year under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. Students must submit the BA paper to the BA supervisor no later than Friday of fifth week in Spring Quarter of their fourth year.
At the latest by the Autumn Quarter of their fourth year, students should begin the BA process by consulting with the director of undergraduate studies. Students may register for the BA Paper seminar (REES 29900 BA Paper Workshop) with approval of the BA supervisor. This course will confer general College elective credit, but it will not count toward the major. If the completed bachelor’s paper is judged by the supervisor and a second faculty member to be a distinguished example of original research or criticism, the student is recommended to the College for graduation with honors in Russian and East European Studies. The final decision regarding the granting of any degree with honors rests with the Collegiate divisional master.
Students wishing to declare the major should meet with the director of undergraduate studies. Further information on the undergraduate program is available in the departmental office (Foster 406, 773.702.8033). Questions about placement, competency, and proficiency examinations in Russian should be directed to the coordinator of Russian language courses.
Several study abroad opportunities are offered in subjects and geographic areas of interest to students who are majoring in Russian and East European Studies, including those described below. For more information, students should consult with the study abroad advisers or visit study-abroad.uchicago.edu.
Major in Russian and East European Studies (REES). The BA in REES requires twelve courses, which fall into two categories: courses in the major language of study and elective courses. In this way students have the flexibility to construct a course of study that accords with their interests.
1. Six language courses at the 20000 level or beyond. In exceptional circumstances students may petition to substitute three courses in a concentrated area of study for three quarters of study in the major language.
This requirement may be satisfied in whole or in part by examination credit based on a University placement exam. Students who fulfill the language requirement with fewer than three quarters of study must substitute elective courses offered in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures.
2. Six elective courses in REES or in languages offered by Slavic Languages and Literatures. This requirement is designed to allow students to tailor their program to their intended goals and career track.
A maximum of one Reading and Research course (REES 29700 Reading/Research: Russian and Eastern European Studies) may be counted as an elective course.
Courses in the major may not be double-counted with general education requirements. A minimum of seven courses in the major must be completed for quality grades at the University of Chicago.
NOTE: Students who entered the University prior to Autumn 2015 may choose to fulfill the requirements here or those that were in place when they entered the University. For questions about course eligibility, contact the director of undergraduate studies.
Credit may be granted by examination. Up to three quarters worth of placement credit can be counted toward the major. When more than half of the language requirement (the equivalent of four to six quarters of study) is met by examination, electives in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures must be substituted for the additional quarters of language credit granted (i.e., if a student places out of four quarters of language study, one elective course must be substituted into the major. If five quarters of credit are granted, two electives must be substituted, etc.). Introductory courses in another Slavic or East European language can be used as electives.
The minor in Russian and East European Studies requires seven courses, including at least three language courses at the 20000 level or higher and at least two REES courses.
Courses in the minor (1) may not be double counted with the student’s major(s) or with other minors and (2) may not be counted toward general education requirements. Courses in the minor must be taken for quality grades, and more than half of the requirements for the minor must be met by registering for courses bearing University of Chicago course numbers.
*Credit may be granted by examination.
BCSN 10103-10203-10303. First-Year Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I-II-III.
The major objective of the sequence is to build a solid foundation in the basic grammatical patterns of written and spoken Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, while simultaneously introducing both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. This sequence is complemented with cultural and historical media from the Balkans and is designed for students with a wide range of interests. Screenings of movies and other audio-visual materials are held in addition to scheduled class time. Knowledge of a Slavic language and background in linguistics not required.
BCSN 10103. First-Year Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I. 100 Units.
In this introductory course of a three-course sequence in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BCS) languages and cultures, students are encouraged to concentrate on the language of their interest and choice. The major objective is to build a solid foundation in the grammatical patterns of written and spoken BCS, while introducing both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. This is achieved through a communicative situation-based approach, textbook dialogues, reinforcement by the instructor, screenings of film shorts, TV announcements, documentaries, commercials, and the like. The course includes a sociolinguistic component, an essential part of understanding the similarities and differences between the languages. Mandatory drill sessions are held twice per week, offering students ample opportunity to review and practice materials presented in class.
Instructor(s): Nada Petkovic     Terms Offered: Autumn
BCSN 10203. First-Year Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian II. 100 Units.
In this introductory course of a three-course sequence in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BCS) languages and cultures, students are encouraged to concentrate on the language of their interest and choice. The major objective is to build a solid foundation in the grammatical patterns of written and spoken BCS, while introducing both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. This is achieved through a communicative situation-based approach, textbook dialogues, reinforcement by the instructor, screenings of film shorts, TV announcements, documentaries, commercials, and the like. The course includes a sociolinguistic component, an essential part of understanding the similarities and differences between the languages. Mandatory drill sessions are held twice per week, offering students ample opportunity to review and practice materials presented in class.
Instructor(s): Nada Petkovic     Terms Offered: Winter
BCSN 10303. First-Year Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian III. 100 Units.
In this three-quarter sequence introductory course in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BCS) languages and cultures, students are encouraged to concentrate on the language of their interest and choice. The major objective is to build a solid foundation in the grammatical patterns of written and spoken BCS, while introducing both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. This is achieved through a communicative situation-based approach, textbook dialogues, reinforcement by the instructor, screenings of film shorts, TV announcements, documentaries, commercials, and the like. The course includes a sociolinguistic component, an essential part of understanding the similarities and differences between the languages. Mandatory drill sessions are held twice per week, offering students ample opportunity to review and practice materials presented in class.
Instructor(s): Nada Petkovic     Terms Offered: Spring
BCSN 20103-20203-20303. Second-Year Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I-II-III.
The second-year sequence in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian languages and cultures is a continuation of first-year BCS and therefore assumes one year of formal study of the target language(s) or equivalent course work elsewhere. The sequence is focused on spoken and written modern BCS, emphasizing communicative practice in authentic cultural contexts. The language(s) are introduced through a series of dialogues gathered from a variety of textbooks published in Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia, as well as newspaper articles, short biographies, poems, and song lyrics in both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets. A vast archive of audiovisual materials, representing both high and popular culture, constitutes an integral part of every unit. Simultaneously, aural comprehension, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary are reinforced and further developed throughout the year. Mandatory drill sessions are held twice a week, offering students ample opportunity to review and practice materials presented in class.
BCSN 20103. Second-Year Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I. 100 Units.
The first quarter is devoted to an overview of grammar, with emphasis on verbal morphology and syntax, through the reading of a series of literary texts in both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets.
Instructor(s): Nada Petkovic     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): BCSN 10303 or consent of instructor
BCSN 20203. Second-Year Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian II. 100 Units.
The second and third quarters are devoted to further developing active mastery of Bosian/Croatian/Serbian through continued readings, grammar drills, compositions, and conversational practice. Study of word formation, nominal and adjectival morphology, and syntax are emphasized. Screenings of movies and other audio-visual materials are held in addition to scheduled class time.
Instructor(s): Nada Petkovic     Terms Offered: Winter
BCSN 20303. Second-Year Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian III. 100 Units.
The second and third quarters are devoted to further developing active mastery of Bosian/Croatian/Serbian through continued readings, grammar drills, compositions, and conversational practice. Study of word formation, nominal and adjectival morphology, and syntax are emphasized. Screenings of movies and other audio-visual materials are held in addition to scheduled class time.
Instructor(s): Nada Petkovic     Terms Offered: Spring
BCSN 21100. Advanced BCS: Literary Readings. 100 Units.
Equivalent Course(s): BCSN 31103
BCSN 21300. (Re)Branding the Balkan City: Comtemp. Belgrade/Sarajevo/Zagreb. 100 Units.
The course will use an urban studies lens to explore the complex history, infrastructure, and transformations of these three cities, now the capitals of Serbia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, and Croatia. Drawing on anthropological theory and ethnography of the city, we will consider processes of urban destruction and renewal, practices of branding spaces and identities, urban life as praxis, art and design movements, architectural histories and styles, metropolitan citizenship, and the broader politics of space. The course is complemented by cultural and historical media, guest speakers, and virtual tours. Classes are held in English. No knowledge of BCS is required. However, this module can fulfill a language requirement or simply further the study of BCS with additional weekly sections, materials, discussions, and presentations in the target language.
Instructor(s): Nada Petkovic     Terms Offered: Spring Equivalent Course(s): REES 31303, REES 21300, BCSN 31303
BCSN 29701. Intensive BCS Language and Culture Study. 100 Units.
CZEC 10103-10203-10303. First-Year Czech I-II-III.
First-Year Czech
CZEC 10103. First-Year Czech I. 100 Units.
This course introduces the Czech language to those students who would like to speak Czech or use the language for reading and research purposes. All four major communicative skills (i.e. reading, writing, listening, speaking) are stressed. Students will also learn about Czech culture through readings, films and class activities. This three- quarter sequence prepares students for the second-year Czech course and to study or travel abroad in the Czech Republic. Conversation practice is held weekly.
Instructor(s): STAFF     Terms Offered: Autumn
CZEC 10203. First-Year Czech II. 100 Units.
No description available.
Terms Offered: Winter
CZEC 10303. First-Year Czech III. 100 Units.
No description available.
Terms Offered: Spring
CZEC 20103-20203-20303. Second-Year Czech I-II-III.
The main goal of this sequence is to enable students to read Czech proficiently in their particular fields. Conversation practice is included. The program is flexible and may be adjusted according to the needs of the students.
CZEC 20103. Second Year Czech-I. 100 Units.
The main goal of this course is to enable students to read Czech proficiently in their particular fields. Conversation practice is included. The program is flexible and may be adjusted according to the needs of the students.
Instructor(s): Malynne Sternstein     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CZEC 10303 or consent of instructor.
CZEC 20203. Second Year Czech-II. 100 Units.
Terms Offered: Winter
CZEC 20303. Second Year Czech-III. 100 Units.
Terms Offered: Spring
CZEC 29700. Reading and Research Course. 100 Units.
Terms Offered: Autumn,Winter,Spring Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor and Departmental Adviser Note(s): Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form.
CZEC 29900. BA Paper. 100 Units.
Terms Offered: Autumn,Winter,Spring Prerequisite(s): Open to fourth-year students who are majoring in Slavic Languages and Literatures with consent of instructor and Departmental Adviser Note(s): Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. This course must be taken for a quality grade.
POLI 10103-10203-10303. First-Year Polish I-II-III.
This sequence teaches students to speak, read, and write in Polish, as well as familiarizes them with Polish culture. It employs the most up-to-date techniques of language teaching (e.g., communicative and accelerated learning, and learning based on students’ native language skills), as well as multileveled target-language exposure.
POLI 10103. First-Year Polish I. 100 Units.
This course teaches students to speak, read, and write in Polish, as well as familiarizes them with Polish culture. It employs the most up-to-date techniques of language teaching (e.g.,communicative and accelerated learning, and learning based on students' native language skills), as well as multileveled target-language exposure.
Instructor(s): Staff     Terms Offered: Autumn
POLI 10203. First-Year Polish II. 100 Units.
This course includes instruction in grammar, writing, and translation, as well as watching selected Polish movies. Selected readings are drawn from the course textbook, and students also read Polish short stories and press articles. In addition, the independent reading of students is emphasized and reinforced by class discussions. Work is adjusted to each student's level of preparation. Drill sessions to be arranged.
Terms Offered: Winter
POLI 10303. First-Year Polish III. 100 Units.
This course teaches students to speak, read, and write in Polish, as well as familiarizes them with Polish culture. It employs the most up-to-date techniques of language teaching (e.g.,communicative and accelerated learning, and learning based on students' native language skills), as well as multileveled target-language exposure.
Terms Offered: Spring
POLI 20103-20203-20303. Second-Year Polish I-II-III.
This sequence includes instruction in grammar, writing, and translation, as well as watching selected Polish movies. Selected readings are drawn from the course textbook, and students also read Polish short stories and press articles. In addition, the independent reading of students is emphasized and reinforced by class discussions. Work is adjusted to each student’s level of preparation.
POLI 20103. Second-Year Polish I. 100 Units.
This course includes instruction in grammar, writing, and translation, as well as watching selected Polish movies. Selected readings are drawn from the course textbook, and students also read Polish short stories and press articles. In addition, the independent reading of students is emphasized and reinforced by class discussions. Work is adjusted to each student's level of preparation.
Instructor(s): Staff.     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): POLI 10300 or equivalent
POLI 20203. Second-Year Polish II. 100 Units.
No description available.
Terms Offered: Winter
POLI 20303. Second-Year Polish III. 100 Units.
This course teaches students to speak, read, and write in Polish, as well as familiarizes them with Polish culture. It employs the most up-to-date techniques of language teaching (e.g.,communicative and accelerated learning, and learning based on students' native language skills), as well as multileveled target-language exposure.
Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): POLI 10300 or equivalent; drills to be scheduled.
POLI 20403-20503-20603. Third Year Polish I; Third-Year Polish II-III.
Third-Year Polish
POLI 20403. Third Year Polish I. 100 Units us on interpreting Dostoevsky's metaphysical provocations.
Equivalent Course(s): REES 30013, HUMA 24800, RLIT 39501, FNDL 24612, RLST 28204
REES 20020. Pale Fire. 100 Units.
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