Slavic Languages & Literatures

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  • Congratulations to Prof. Valleri Robinson (Theatre), who has received a 2025-2026 U.S. Scholar Fulbright to develop the book, “Directing in Context: Javor Gardev’s Theatre of Vulnerability, 1994-2024.” Gardev’s theoretically robust theatrical contributions began with his daring directorial... Read full story
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More News

  • The annual Slavic talent show and awards ceremony on May 1 showcased a large number of awards won by Slavic language students, from national awards and honor society memberships to local scholarships and fellowships. ...
  • "The Hamlet Syndrome," an award winning documentary by Polish filmmakers Elwira Niewiera and Piotr Rosołowski, was featured in a screening event on campus on February 6, sponsored by the Slavic Department and library's...
  • Congratulations to Professor Harriet Murav, who was awarded the 2024 Heldt Prize for best book introducing new, innovative, and/or underrepresented perspectives into any area of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian...

Film screenshot, 2 men weaving through small trees in icy swamp

Slavic 419: Yugoslav Cinema

Socialist Yugoslavia is known for its subversive and experimental cinema. This course explores the major genres, movements, and themes of both post-WWII socialist Yugoslavia and its successor states after 1991. These include early films of socialist realism, globally-renowned animated film, counter-culture Black Wave cinema, monumental Red Wave cinema, and the films of the late-socialist period. In addition, this course pays close attention to the films produced in the post-socialist period in the context of civil war, economic and social dislocation, and the ennui of post-Yugoslav politics. Students will watch and study the work of important (post)Yugoslav directors such as Aleksandar Petrović, Živojin Pavlović, Želimir Žilnik, Dušan Makavejev, Dušan Kovačević, Milcho Manchevski, Emir Kusturica, and Jasmila Žbanić in order to trace the history and evolution of Yugoslav cinema as art and politics. Prof. Wright

Collage of Nabokov photos and book covers

RUSS 535/CWL 535 Vladimir Nabokov

Study of the philosophical formats, narrative structures, and mimetic aspects of the novels of Vladimir Nabokov, written on two continents, in two languages, over a period of six decades. The course is divided between the Russian and the American years. Students from outside the Slavic Department may read the Russian texts in English translation. Special attention is paid to the nature and function of Nabokov’s fictive worlds as well as their connection to history, ethics, and a variety of national cultures. The novels covered include The Defense, Invitation to a Beheading, The Gift, Lolita, Pnin, Pale Fire. Prof Tempest

City view of Veliko Tarnovo

LCTL 101 & 201 Beginning Bulgarian and Bulgarian for Heritage Speakers

Did you grow up speaking Bulgarian? Or would you like to learn the language of one of the most recent new EU members? New for Fall 2025: Bulgarian language courses for beginners and for heritage speakers. Summer study abroad opportunities available too! Start your Bulgarian adventure this fall.

Three Bogatyrs painting

SLAV 120 Russian & E European Folktales

Introduction to Russian and East European folktales, focusing on folk beliefs, fairy tales, and epic folk narratives in Slavic languages from a comparative perspective, with an emphasis on methods of analysis and the role of gender. Get to know Slavic gods, spirits, and heroes from Perun, the domovoi, and Ilya Muromets to vilas, the Cossack Ivan Konovchenko, and Stovey the Fool. Prof. Cooper