Catalog Course Descriptions
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Courses
Undergraduate
RUSS 101: Elementary Russian I (3 Credits)
For students with no knowledge of Russian. Introduces elements of grammar, vocabulary, oral skills, listening comprehension, and reading. Lab work required. Notes: Students may not receive credit for RUSS 101 and RUSS 110. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to RUSS 110.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 102: Elementary Russian II (3 Credits)
Continuation of RUSS 101. Notes: Students may not receive credit for RUSS 102 and RUSS 110. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to RUSS 110.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 101 or permission of department.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 110: Elementary Russian (6 Credits)
Introduces elements of grammar, vocabulary, oral skills, listening comprehension, and reading. Notes: Students may not receive credit for RUSS 110 and RUSS 101, 102. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to RUSS 101, RUSS 102.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 201: Intermediate Russian I (3 Credits)
Further development of skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Notes: RUSS 201 and 202 must be taken in sequence. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 102, RUSS 110, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 202: Intermediate Russian II (3 Credits)
Application of language skills to reading, composition, and discussion. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 201, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Fulfills Frgn Lng requirment, Taught in Russian
ECON 380: Economies in Transition (3 Credits)
Examines problems and achievements of formerly communist and socialist countries including China, Eastern European countries, and Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union as they transition to more market-oriented economies. Includes market economics and central planning. Offered by Economics. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Recommended Prerequisite: ECON 103 and 104 or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GGS 326: Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia (3 Credits)
A regional study of Eastern Europe and European Russia in terms of population patterns, economic activities, urbanization, planning and politics, migration, religion, landscape, and physical geographic features. Offered by Geography/Geoinformation Sci. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: 6 credits of geography or Russian studies, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 338: Politics of Eurasia (3 Credits)
Examines politics and international relations of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, from the Soviet era to the present. Explores political, economic, and cultural changes since the Soviet collapse and how states and societies in Eurasia are addressing diverse local and global challenges.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 340: Central Asian Politics (3 Credits)
Comparative examination of political change in Central Asia with attention to national identity formation, political economy, political conflict, political Islam, and democratization.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 345: Islam and Politics (3 Credits)
Covers the politics of religion in Muslim societies; history, ideology, and practices of key individuals, movements, and institutions; case studies of political Islam in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the West; the plurality and diversity of political expression in Muslim world; the nature of democracy in political Islam and the characteristics of the Islamic state; link Islam and politics to the ongoing globalization and an increase in radicalism.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 312: Nationalism in Eastern Europe (3 Credits)
Examines history of modern Eastern Europe from mid-19th century through collapse of communist regimes in 1989, and includes focus on Yugoslav wars of 1990s. Nationalism provides organizing theme; topic approached through literature, political, social, cultural, and new media sources. Class sessions emphasize discussion of central issues and sources. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 326: Stalinism (3 Credits)
Examines Josef Stalin and Stalinism as a political, economic, social, and cultural system, with a focus on the period from Lenin's death in 1924 through Stalin's death in 1953. Explores the history of rapid industrialization, collectivization of agriculture, famine, terror, war, Cold War, and human suffering in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 327: The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II (3 Credits)
Analyzes the Soviet Union, the Cold War "enemy" of the United States, from victory in World War II under Joseph Stalin through collapse in 1991. Studies the fifteen independent countries that emerged from the Soviet collapse, including Russia, the Baltic States, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, which continue to influence world politics and culture today. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 328: Rise of Russia (3 Credits)
Political, social, and cultural development of Russia from early times to the end of the 19th century. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 329: Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (3 Credits)
Russia and the Soviet Union from the early 20th century to the present. Focuses on the Russian Revolution and the political, social, cultural, and economic developments of the Soviet and post-Soviet eras. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 302: Russian Conversation and Composition (3 Credits)
Develops in students ability to express themselves orally on topics of current interest and everyday situations. Provides practice in more difficult forms of written expression. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 202, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 303: Russian Advanced Conversation (3 Credits)
Development of oral proficiency. Includes current colloquial expressions. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 202, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 310: Readings in Russian Literature (3 Credits)
Readings of Russian literary works in original language with lectures, discussions, and exam in Russian. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 202, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 311: Contemporary Russian Short Fiction (3 Credits)
Reading and discussion of recent short stories by best-known Russian writers of today. Notes: Readings in original language. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 202, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 325: Major Russian Writers (3 Credits)
Study of works of major Russian writers in translation. Writers to be studied vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when course content is different. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 101 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 326: 19th-Century Literature in Translation (3 Credits)
Surveys Russian literature from its beginning to 1880. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Literature
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of 60 hours or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 327: 20th-Century Literature in Translation (3 Credits)
Surveys Russian literature of late 19th and 20th centuries. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Literature
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 353: Russian Civilization (3 Credits)
Civilization and culture of Russia and former Soviet Union. Includes films, slides, and music in addition to readings and lectures. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Mason Apex
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: 60 credits and completion or concurrent enrollment in all other required Mason Core courses.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 354: Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (3 Credits)
Social life, art, economics, education, view of life, and personal aspirations of Russian citizen today. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: 54 hours or Permission of Instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 380: Advanced Russian I (3 Credits)
Comprehensive study of the more difficult characteristics of contemporary standard Russian in areas of grammar, style, and vocabulary usage. Emphasizes developing fluency in oral and written expression. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 202 or equivalent, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 381: Advanced Russian II (3 Credits)
Comprehensive study of the more difficult characteristics of contemporary standard Russian in areas of grammar, style, and vocabulary usage. Emphasizes developing fluency in oral and written expression. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 202 or equivalent, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
GOVT 447: Revolution and International Politics (3 Credits)
Historical overview of modern revolutions as well as different theories about causes and consequences of revolutions. Special attention to Marxist-Leninist, Arab nationalist, and Islamic revolutions.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 462: Women in Islamic Society (3 Credits)
Surveys history of women in Islamic society from rise of Islam to present day. Examines historical processes that affected role and status of women in society, and specific topics around which issues of gender status and identity coalesced, especially in modern period. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 401: Readings in the Social Sciences (3 Credits)
Reading, translation, and discussion of Russian materials in fields of history, politics, geography, and sociology. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 407: Russian Drama and Theater (3 Credits)
Development of Russian theater including directing techniques in Moscow Art Theater. Reading and discussion of major Russian plays of 19th and 20th centuries. Notes: Course work in English; knowledge of Russian not required. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: 60 hours or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 410: Russian Poetry (3 Credits)
Historical development of Russian poetry and representative works of major poets. Notes: Reading in Russian; course work in English and Russian. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 470: Topics in (Post) Soviet Film (3 Credits)
Russian, Soviet, and post-Soviet films selected by type, period, or director with emphasis varying from year to year. Required viewings, student discussion, and written critiques. Notes: May be repeated once with permission of department or film studies adviser. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 480: Fourth-Year Russian (3 Credits)
Advanced work in major grammatical and lexical topics of Russian. Application of theoretical principles in guided written and oral exercises. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 380 and 381 or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 481: Fourth-Year Russian (3 Credits)
Advanced work in major grammatical and lexical topics of Russian. Application of theoretical principles in guided written and oral exercises. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: RUSS 380, 381, or equivalent.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 490: Independent Study (1-3 Credits)
Research and analysis of selected problem in language, literature, or culture in consultation with member of Russian studies faculty. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: Russian studies major with 84 hours and Permission of Instructor.
Schedule Type: Independent Study
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 491: Independent Study (1-3 Credits)
Research and analysis of selected problem in language, literature, or culture in consultation with member of Russian studies faculty. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Independent Study
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Russian
RUSS 325: Major Russian Writers (3 Credits)
Study of works of major Russian writers in translation. Writers to be studied vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when course content is different. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 101 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
RUSS 470: Topics in (Post) Soviet Film (3 Credits)
Russian, Soviet, and post-Soviet films selected by type, period, or director with emphasis varying from year to year. Required viewings, student discussion, and written critiques. Notes: May be repeated once with permission of department or film studies adviser. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.