Slavic Languages & Literatures
- As a part of the Bulgarian Studies Initiative, sponsored by the Republic of Bulgaria and jointly organized by REEEC and the Slavic Department, Iliyana... Read full story Slavic Welcomes a New Bulgarian Studies Lecturer
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- On September 28, 2025, REEEC, the Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures, and the Ukrainian Studies Fund hosted a public engagement event in Chicago at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. This event raised over...
- 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. ...
- 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...
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
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
REES 296 Intro to Bulgarian Culture
This course introduces students to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Bulgaria. Through discussions of history, art, folklore, film, and contemporary life, we will explore how Bulgarians express their identity within the context of the Balkans and Europe – at the cultural crossroads between East and West. Special attention will be given to values, behaviors, beliefs, and emotions. The course will include lectures, discussions, films, and interactive sessions. No knowledge of Bulgarian language is required. Prof. Iliyana Dimitrova
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