German, Russian, and East Asian Languages and Literatures

The material on this page is from the 1995-96 catalog and may be out of date. Please check the current year's catalog for current information.

Associate Professors Sweet, Decker, Chair, Costlow, and Browne; Assistant Professors Strong and Yang; Ms. Ofuji, Ms. Neu-Sokol, Ms. Miao, and Mr. Strukov

Students of German, Russian, and East Asian languages gain particular insight into peoples whose lives are in the process of unprecedented change. The curricula in Chinese, Japanese, German, and Russian emphasize the interconnections of society, culture, and language. They assert the vitality of traditions challenged and invigorated by change, and the importance of attaining fluency not just in language but in the nuances of cultural understanding.

The Department offers majors in German and Russian language and literature and in East Asian languages and cultures. A secondary concentration can be pursued in all languages offered. See page 18 for a description of this option.

All students, and especially majors, are strongly encouraged to spend an extended period of time abroad prior to graduation. Opportunities to do so include participation in the Bates Fall Semester Abroad programs in Japan or Germany, Junior Year or Junior Semester Abroad programs, summer sessions, and the various off-campus Short Term units sponsored by the Department.

Entering students are assigned to the appropriate level in language courses according to the following criteria: their performance on an Achievement or Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board taken in secondary school, relative proficiency based on length of previous study and/or after consultation with an appropriate member of the Department.

Foreign Literatures and Cultures in Translation. While the Department emphasizes the importance of acquiring the fluency needed to study literature and culture in the original, the following courses are offered in translation. See listings under individual languages for detailed descriptions of these courses.

Chinese 207. Masterworks of Chinese Literature.
Chinese 209. Modern Chinese Literature.
Chinese 261. Chinese Culture and Civilization.
Chinese s25. New Chinese Cinema.
Chinese s30. Chinese Calligraphy and Etymology.
German 260. Germany and Its Others.
German s25. The German Cinema.
Japanese 240. Pre-modern Japanese Literature.
Japanese 250. The Feminine Tradition in Modern Japanese Literature.
Japanese s20. Kawabata and Mishima.
Japanese s25. Basho and the Haikai Tradition.
Japanese s32. Appreciation of Japanese People and Society Through Films.
Russian 240. Women and Writing in Russia.
Russian 261. Russian Culture and Civilization.
Russian 270. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy.
Russian 271. Topics in Modern Russian Literature.
Russian 272. Drama and Society in Russia.
Russian 273. Country Life in Russian Literature and Culture.

East Asian Languages and Cultures
The Department offers a major in East Asian languages and cultures. The candidate for the major must follow either a Chinese track or a Japanese track. The major consists of a minimum of ten courses that must include: a) Chinese 201, 202, 301, 302, or Japanese 201, 202, 301, 302; b) Chinese 207 and Japanese 240; c) History 171 and 172; d) two courses from the following: Chinese 209, 261, 360, s24, s25, s30, Japanese 250, 360, 401, 402, s20, s25, s30, s31, Economics 227, s32, History 274, 275, 276, 374, s23, or Religion 208, 209, or any equivalent course on a relevant topic with the approval of the Department.

The candidate for the major may choose to write a senior thesis or take a comprehensive examination on the language, literature, and culture of China or Japan. The candidate who chooses to write a thesis must enroll for Chinese or Japanese 457 and/or 458 in his or her senior year. A prospectus with a working bibliography must be approved by the Department in the semester prior to the semester in which the thesis is written.

457, 458. Senior Thesis. An extended research or translation project on a topic in East Asian literature, culture, or language. Before registering for either 457 or 458, the student must submit to his or her advisor a concise description of the proposed project and a tentative bibliography. Honors candidates register for 457 and 458. Other senior majors should register for either 457 or 458, unless the Department gives approval for a two-semester project. Written permission of the instructor is required. Staff.

Chinese

101. Beginning Chinese I. An introduction to spoken and written modern Chinese. Conversational drill and comprehension exercises in classroom and laboratory provide practice in pronunciation and the use of basic patterns of speech. Mr. Yang. F

102. Beginning Chinese II. A continuation of Chinese 101 with increasing emphasis on recognition of Chinese characters. Classes, conducted increasingly in Chinese, stress sentence patterns that facilitate speaking and reading. Prerequisite: Chinese 101 or permission of the instructor. Mr. Yang. W

201-202. Intermediate Chinese. Designed to enable students to converse in everyday Chinese and to read simple texts in Chinese (both standard and simplified characters). Classes conducted primarily in Chinese aim at further development of overall language proficiency. Prerequisite: Chinese 102, or permission of the instructor. Ms. Miao. F W

207. Masterworks of Chinese Literature in Translation. An exploration of Chinese literature through reading and discussion of some of its masterworks of poetry, drama, fiction, and belles-lettres prose pieces from the ancient times through the pre-modern era. Open to first-year students. Mr. Yang. F

209. Modern Chinese Literature in Translation. This course explores modern Chinese writers' obsession with China and their complex relationship with their own tradition via reading and discussing a variety of literary works produced in the twentieth century (from Lu Hsun's fiction to the misty poetry of the post-Mao era), with attention to the impact of Western thought on them. Students of Chinese language are encouraged to do some guided reading in the original. Open to first-year students. Mr. Yang. W

261. Chinese Culture and Civilization: Interaction of Elite and Popular Traditions. An introduction to Chinese culture and civilization through reading and discussion of a number of classical texts of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist thoughts, as well as traditional tales, popular stories, and legends in which these basic Chinese thoughts are reflected. Readings and lectures are all in English. Open to first-year students. Mr. Yang. W

301-302. Upper-Level Modern Chinese. Designed for students who already have a strong background in spoken Chinese, the course gives an intensive review of the essentials of grammar and phonology, introduces a larger vocabulary and a variety of sentence patterns, improves conversational and auditory skills, and develops some proficiency in reading and writing. Extensive use of short texts (both literary and nonfictional) and some films. Classes are conducted primarily in Chinese. Prerequisite: Chinese 201-202 or written permission of the instructor. Open to first-year students. Ms. Miao. F W

360. Independent Study. Independent study of individually selected topics. Periodic conferences and papers required. May be taken more than once for credit. Permission of the Department is required. Staff.

365. Special Topics. Designed for the small seminar group of students who may have particular interests in areas of study that go beyond the regular course offerings. Periodic conferences and papers are required. Permission of the instructor is required. May be taken more than once for credit. [Staff].

Short-Term Units
s24. Chinese Language and Culture in Beijing, China. This unit involves intensive work for five weeks at Renmin University in Beijing, China, as well as excursions to some famous historical sites such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Tiananmen Square. This unit is offered at two levels: 1) for students who have had no Chinese, and 2) for students who have completed one or more years of college-level Chinese. Recommended background: one year or more of Chinese. Open to first-year students. Written permission of the instructor is required. Enrollment is limited to 20. Ms. Miao, Mr. Yang.

s25. New Chinese Cinema. A study of some representative films from China (P.R.C.), with a focus on the conflicts between the avant-garde and the traditional groups of film-makers in their different thematic and stylistic approaches. Topics of discussion include the interrelation between film and literature, the role of the film in culture, and the representation of sex and gender in the cinema. Readings include translations of modern Chinese fiction from which some of the films are adapted, and Western theoretical texts by such writers as Bela Balazs, Roland Barthes, and Susan Sontag. Lectures, discussions, and readings in English; films in Chinese with English subtitles. Enrollment is limited to 20. [Mr. Yang].

s30. Chinese Calligraphy and Etymology. A study of Chinese calligraphy through practice in the use of the brush-pen and through analysis of the aesthetics as well as the historical development of this graphic art. Calligraphy or brushwriting (shufa in Chinese and shodo in Japanese) is considered in East Asia as a spontaneous yet premeditated act of self-expression, which embraces philosophy, religion, culture, and an artistic tradition thousands of years old. Conducted in English. Prerequisite: Chinese 101 or Japanese 101, or permission of the instructor. Recommended background: some knowledge of Chinese characters or kanji. Open to first-year students. Enrollment is limited to 20. Mr. Yang.

Japanese
101-102. Beginning Japanese I and II. The course offers an introduction to standard modern spoken Japanese. Fundamental patterns of the language are presented together with a basic, practical vocabulary. A thorough study of the katakana and hiragana syllabaries as well as approximately one hundred thirty written characters introduces students to written Japanese. Ms. Strong. F W

201-202. Intermediate Japanese I and II. A continuation of Japanese 102, the course stresses the acquisition of new and more complex spoken patterns together with extensive work in the written language. One hundred sixty new characters are introduced. A range of oral as well as written projects and exercises serve to provide a realistic context for language use. Prerequisite: Japanese 102 or permission of the instructor. Open to first-year students. Ms. Ofuji. F W

240. Pre-modern Japanese Literature. A survey of major trends in the history of Japanese literature from its beginnings up to the Tokugawa period. Particular attention is paid to thematic and cultural issues such as class, gender, and the role of women as producers of literary culture. Through selected readings and discussion, students consider a range of genres including popular tales, poetry collections, diaries, narrative fiction, and drama. Japanese 240 is conducted in English and is a component course in the women's studies major. Open to first-year students. Ms. Strong. F

250. Modern Japanese Women's Literature. In its beginnings, Japanese literature was considered a female art; the greatest writers of the classical period were women, while men at times assumed a female persona in order to write. After a brief introduction to the classical tradition, this course examines how twentieth-century writers have positioned themselves with regard to this female literary legacy. In addition, students consider issues such as family, power, gender roles, selfhood, and the female body that have been of primary concern to women writers working both within and without the traditional female canon. Authors may include Yosano Akiko, Enchi Fumiko, Tanizaki Junichiro, Ohba Minako, Tsushima Yuko, and others. The course is conducted in English and is a core course in the women's studies major. Open to first-year students. Ms. Strong. W

301-302. Intermediate Japanese III and IV. The course completes the introduction of essential Japanese syntactic forms and sentence patterns. Students continue development of oral skills while emphasis is placed on increased competence in the written language. Two hundred new characters are introduced. Prerequisite: Japanese 202 or written permission of the instructor. Ms. Strong F; Ms. Ofuji. W

360. Independent Study. Independent study of individually selected topics. Periodic conferences and papers are required. May be taken more than once for credit. Permission of the Department is required. Staff.

401. Advanced Japanese I. Through the discussion and study of contemporary literary texts and other journalistic modes, the course seeks to utilize, develop, and integrate skills acquired in the earlier stages of language learning. Particular emphasis is placed on reading and writing, and on the acquisition of written characters. Prerequisite: Japanese 302 or written permission of the instructor. Ms. Ofuji. F

402. Advanced Japanese II. Through the discussion of materials in Japanese such as newspaper articles, television news, and other media material, the course seeks to utilize, develop, and integrate skills acquired in the earlier stages of language learning. Particular emphasis is placed on increasing the student's range of oral and written competency and on the acquisition of written characters. Prerequisite: Japanese 302 or written permission of the instructor. Ms. Ofuji. W

Short-Term Units
s20. Kawabata and Mishima. Mishima Yukio and his mentor, Kawabata Yasunari, stand out as conspicuous yet contrasting talents in the field of modern Japanese fiction. Through an examination of representative works, the unit traces the artistic development of both writers, paying particular attention to their handling of theme and image. Film renditions of several of the novels are viewed and discussed. Conducted in English with some chance for guided reading in Japanese for students proficient in the language. Enrollment is limited to 25. [Ms. Strong].

s25. Basho and the Haikai Tradition. Matsuo Basho (1644 to 1694) is one of Japan's most celebrated poets. As a haikai master he led group compositions in linked verse (renga), in addition to writing the seventeen-syllable hokku for which he is best known. His travel diaries represent a landmark in the history of Japanese literature. This unit explores the background and nature of the haikai genre, with particular attention to Basho's outstanding achievement. The unit is taught in English. Students of Japanese language are encouraged to do some guided reading in the original. Recommended background: Japanese 240, History 172. Enrollment is limited to 25. [Ms. Strong].

s31. Japanese Culture: Japanese Aesthetics in Everyday Life. The unit invites students to watch slides, read, discuss, and practice Japanese artistic works, and consider several aesthetic propositions, such as "A work of art and crafts is the product of some particular intention" and "There are elements common to all forms of art and crafts." The unit considers both traditional and contemporary theories and works of art and crafts. An extended off-campus field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston may be included. Conducted in Japanese and English. Prerequisite: Japanese 302 or permission of the instructor. Recommended background: Japanese literature, history, and religion courses. Enrollment is limited to 12. [Ms. Ofuji].

s32. Appreciation of Japanese People and Society Through Films. This unit examines aspects of both traditional and contemporary Japanese society through that society's depiction in film. Topics of discussion include the family as a social institution, parent-child relationships, education, friendships, and representations of minority groups. Lectures, discussions, and readings in English. Films in Japanese with English subtitles. Additional class sessions may be arranged for those students with sufficient language proficiency who would like to discuss these issues in Japanese. Recommended background: at least one course in Japanese literature, history, or religion. Open to first-year students. Enrollment is limited to 20. Ms. Ofuji.

s50. Individual Research. Registration in this unit is granted by the Department only after the student has submitted a written proposal for a full-time research project to be completed during the Short Term and has secured the sponsorship of a member of the Department to direct the study and evaluate the results. Staff.

German
The major consists of nine courses beyond the intermediate level or eight courses beyond the intermediate level and one Short Term unit. Required are German 233, 234, and at least one course from each of the following four groups: 1) 241, 242, 302, 303; 2) 243, 244, 245; 3) 357, 358; 4) 270, 356. In addition, majors must complete at least one of the following: History 226, 229, English 172, 295, Philosophy 241, 273, Music 242, 243, 244.

Majors also choose either to (a) write a senior thesis or (b) pass a series of comprehensive examinations in the second semester of the senior year. Students choosing to write a thesis must register for 457-458.

101-102. Fundamentals of German I and II. Introduction to the German language and its cultural contexts, with emphasis on listening, speaking, and vocabulary acquisition. German 101 is not open to students who have had two or more years of German in secondary school. Mr. Decker. F W

201-202. Intermediate German. Open to first-year students who enter with at least two years of German. A continuation of German 101-102, with added emphasis on the development of reading strategies and composition skills. Prerequisite: German 102 or the equivalent. Ms. Neu-Sokol. F W

233-234. German Composition and Conversation. Designed to develop facility in written and oral expression. Weekly compositions are required. Prerequisite: German 202 or permission of the instructor. Open to first-year students. Mr. Sweet. F W

241. German Literature of the Twentieth Century I. A study of German literature and society from 1890-1933, with emphasis on the aesthetic and sociohistorical underpinnings of Naturalism, Impressionism, Expressionism, and selected works of Mann, Kafka, and Brecht. Prerequisite: German 234 or permission of the instructor. [Mr. Decker].

242. German Literature of the Twentieth Century II. A continuation of German 241, focusing on post-World War II literature and emphasizing such authors as Böll, Brecht, Frisch, Dürrenmatt, Bachmann, and Wolf. Attention is given to contemporary women writers and poets whose works center on utopian visions and the search for peace. Prerequisite: German 234 or permission of the instructor. [Ms. Neu-Sokol].

243. Introduction to German Poetry. A study of poetry in German-speaking countries since 1800. The course focuses on four or five well-known poets, to be chosen from among the following: Hölderin, Novalis, Mörike, Heine, Droste-Hülshoff, Rilke, Trakl, Brecht, Celan, and Bachmann. Attention is also given to the poetry of Lasker-Schüler, Kolmar, Bobrowski, Lavant, Enzensberger, and Kirsch. Students make oral presentations and write short interpretations. Prerequisite: German 234 or permission of the instructor. Ms. Neu-Sokol. W

244. The Development of German Drama. A study of major issues in German dramaturgy from the Enlightenment to the present, explored through texts that dramatize problems relating to marriage. Authors include Lessing, Büchner, Brecht, Horváth, and Kroetz. Prerequisite: German 234 or permission of the instructor. Mr. Decker. F

245. The German Novelle. Reading and analysis of selected Novellen from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Texts include works by such authors as Kleist, Tieck, Eichendorff, Hoffmann, Keller, Hauptmann, Kafka, and Thomas Mann, as well as critical essays on the history and theory of the genre. Prerequisite: German 234 or permission of the instructor. [Mr. Decker].

260. Germany and Its Others. This course investigates the mechanisms used to construct German identities that privilege some and negate the "others." Some of the "others" in Germany have been women, "foreigners," Jews, lesbians, and gay men. What mechanisms are implemented to make them "other," and what movements are developing in Germany today that take stock of and value a "multicultural" society? In English. Open to first-year students. Mr. Sweet. F

270. Living with the Nazi Legacy. A study of contemporary works from Austria, East Germany, and West Germany that articulate the experiences of children of Nazis. Texts, which include autobiographical writings, novels, films, interviews, and essays, are analyzed in terms of their representation of the recent past and its continuing impact on the present. Prerequisite: German 234 or permission of the instructor. Mr. Decker. W

301. The Enlightenment in Germany. The Enlightenment was a formative force of modernity. Its adherents promulgated tolerance and universality, new forms of education, and social utopias. This course is an interdisciplinary investigation of the movements, protagonists, and ideas of the Enlightenment in Germany and includes a postscript to the project of enlightenment at the end of the twentieth century. Readings by Kant and Goethe, Lessing and Mendelssohn, Wieland and Herder. Contemporary writers include Horkheimer, Adorno, and Michel Foucault. Prerequisite: one 200-level literature course taught in German. Mr. Sweet. F

303. German Romanticism. Profoundly affected by the French Revolution, Germany's young generation sought to create a philosophical literature (German Romanticism) to reform human consciousness. To achieve this, they posited new forms for sexuality and gender relations and sought to renew spirituality and consciousness of the supernatural. This course examines key philosophical and literary writings by the early German Romantics, including Friedrich Schlegel, Novalis, Wackenroder, and Tieck. Prerequisite: one 200-level literature course taught in German. Mr. Sweet. W

356. Representing Austrian Fascism. Official state documents and popular historical imagination frequently present Austria as the "first victim of Nazi aggression," thus discounting the active role that Austrians played in the Anschluss and the Third Reich. This course explores the myth of Austria's victimization through analysis of recent texts that represent Austrian involvement in and response to the Nazi past. Prerequisite: one 200-level literature course or permission of the instructor. [Mr. Decker].

357. Austrian Literature. A study of Austrian fiction that emerges from and responds to three important periods in Austrian political and literary history: the restorative and revolutionary period of the mid-nineteenth century; fin-de-siècle Vienna and the impending collapse of the Habsburg empire; and the post World War II Second Austrian Republic. Prerequisite: one 200-level literature course or permission of the instructor. [Mr. Decker].

358. Literature of the German Democratic Republic. Reading and discussion of selected prose and poetry of the German Democratic Republic. Topics include the theory of Socialist Realism, the role of the GDR Writers' Union, GDR authors now living in the West, and the recent emergence of younger, independent writers. Works by Schneider, Becker, Wolf, Heym, and Wander are among those examined. Prerequisites: one 200-level literature course and permission of the instructor. Recommended background: German 242. [Mr. Sweet].

457-458. Senior Thesis. Research leading to writing of a senior thesis. Open to senior majors, including honors candidates. Staff.

Short-Term Units
s25. The German Cinema. An introduction to methods of filmic analysis and to major issues in German film history from the 1920s to the present. Special attention is devoted to representations of the Nazi past in recent German films. Lectures, discussions, and readings in English; films in German with English subtitles. Enrollment is limited to 25. [Mr. Decker].

s28. Sexual Politics in Germany, 1800-1992. "Sexual politics" refers to the place of sexual and gender issues in public policy and cultural production. This unit explores the history of attitudes toward, ideas about, and state regulation of sexual and gender questions over the past two hundred years in Germany. Some specific topics are patriarchy and the subordination of women, the creation of homosexuality as an abnormality, nationalism and masculinity. The German historical context is particularly rich for the discussion of changing ideas about sex and gender in democratic, fascist, and socialist states. A one-week internship will allow students to connect discussions about historical Germany with the reality of these issues in contemporary America. This unit is the same as History s28. Recommended background: some modern German history. Enrollment is limited to 35. [Mr. Sweet, Mr. Hochstadt].

s30. German Language in Germany. Intensive work for eight weeks at the Goethe Institute in Germany. This unit is offered at three levels: (1) for students who have had no German; (2) for students who have completed one year of college German; (3) for students who have completed two or more years of college German. Permission of the Department is required. Staff.

s32. Austria: Its Language(s) and Culture. The unit combines intensive study of German with cultural immersion in Austria. Students attend the Deutsch-Institut Tirol in Kitzbühel, which offers instruction in the German language and in the geography, history, and culture of Austria. Open to first-year students. May be taken for credit more than once. Written permission of the instructor is required. Enrollment is limited to 15. [Mr. Decker].

s33. German Writing Workshop. A workshop for mastering effective expression in written German, this unit hones writing skills. Through frequent and varied assignments, students write critical essays, creative stories, and a radio play. This workshop also comprises a review of grammar, the building of a differentiated vocabulary, and the analysis and emulation of literary and non-literary models. Conducted in German. Prerequisites: German 201-202 or the equivalent. May be taken for credit more than once. [Mr. Sweet].

Russian
The major consists of a minimum of ten courses which must include: a) Russian 201, 202, 301, 302; b) two courses from Russian 240, 270, 271, 272, 273; c) one course from Russian 261, History 221 or 222; d) two courses from Russian 365, 401, 402, and 451. A student may request the Department to substitute a Short Term unit in Russia for one of the courses in group d).

Students have the option of writing a senior thesis or taking a comprehensive examination on the language, literature, and civilization of Russia. Majors choosing the thesis option should enroll for either Russian 457 (fall semester) or Russian 458 (winter semester) in their senior year. A detailed outline and bibliography must be approved by the Department in the semester prior to the semester in which the thesis is written. Majors electing the comprehensive examination must fulfill this requirement during the fall semester. Honors candidates must register for Russian 457-458.

101-102. Elementary Russian I and II. Reading, understanding, speaking, and writing modern Russian, with emphasis on oral work, basic grammar, and vocabulary. Regularly scheduled language laboratory sessions. Mr. Browne. F W

201-202. Intermediate Russian. Continuation of Russian 102, emphasizing vocabulary acquisition, firmer control of grammar, and oral fluency through readings and drill sessions. Prerequisite: Russian 102, placement examination, or permission of the instructor. Open to first-year students. Ms. Costlow. F W

240. Women and Writing in Russia. This course focuses on how written and oral culture in Russia has depicted woman and the feminine, and on the ways in which Russian women have described their own senses of self and experience in words. Reading includes texts crucial to Russian imaginations of femininity, women's writing in various genres, and theoretical essays that raise issues of women's writing and their representation in culture. Conducted in English. Open to first-year students. [Ms. Costlow].

261. Russian Culture and Civilization. A topical survey of Russian civilization as manifest in a number of cultural institutions such as the family, the church, the educational system, the popular media, and the arts. Slides, videotapes, and audio recordings supplement the readings and lectures. Conducted in English. Open to first-year students. [Mr. Browne].

270. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. This course focuses on selected works of these giants of Russian literature. We examine the ways in which both authors address moral, religious, and political issues central to nineteenth-century Russian society, and to the modern world. Reading and discussions are in English; students proficient in Russian are urged to do some reading in the original. Open to first-year students. Ms. Costlow. W

271. Topics in Modern Russian Literature. This course is a thematic survey of modern Russian literature. Through the works of Bulgakov, Furmanov, Akhmatova, the Strugatsky brothers, and others, students examine specific topics such as literary representations of Russian history, visions of the future and the fantastic, and the idea of the émigré. Selections from earlier periods of Russian literature are included when appropriate to a given theme. Required readings are in English, supplementary materials such as films and music are in Russian with translations provided. Open to first-year students. [Mr. Browne].

272. Drama and Society in Russia. This course examines major works from the Russian dramatic tradition, and pays particular attention to the roles which drama and the theater have played in Russian social and political life. Reading includes works by playwrights of the eighteenth to twentieth centuries. We examine the political and cultural significance of drama as revealed in pre-Petrine and popular traditions (skomorokhi and puppet theater); the institution of serf theaters; stigmatization of women on the stage; and Bolshevik and Stalinist appropriations of theater. Open to first-year students. [Ms. Costlow].

273. Country Life in Russian Literature and Culture. Through the study of literary texts, film, painting, and literary/political essays, this course examines how depictions of life in the country have shaped various political, social, and moral disputes in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Russia. Reading includes texts by Turgenev, Tolstoy, Sholokhov, Pasternak, and "village writers" of the 1960s. Open to first-year students. Ms. Costlow. F

301-302. Advanced Russian. Continuation of Russian 202, concentrating on the subtleties of Russian grammar, building vocabulary, improving oral skills, and developing students' awareness of various styles of spoken and written Russian. Extensive use of short texts (fictional and nonfictional), music, and film. Classes are conducted in Russian. Prerequisite: Russian 201-202 or permission of the instructor. Mr. Browne. F W

401-402. Contemporary Russian. The course is designed to perfect students' ability to understand and speak contemporary, idiomatic Russian. Included are readings from Aksyonov, Dovlatov, Shukshin, and Baranskaya, and viewing of contemporary Soviet films. Conducted in Russian. Prerequisite: Russian 302. Mr. Strukov. F W

451. Seminar in Russian Poetry and Prose. This course introduces students to the intensive study of the Russian literary tradition in the original. Students read major works of prose and poetry from the nineteenth century; prose readings focus primarily on the short story, but include one novella-length work. All reading is in Russian; written work and discussions will be in either Russian or English, depending on the proficiency level of the students. Prerequisite: Russian 301, or permission of the instructor. [Ms. Costlow].

457, 458. Senior Thesis. Open only to senior majors, with departmental permission. Before registering for 457 or 458, a student must present to the Department an acceptable plan, including an outline and a tentative bibliography, after discussion with a staff member. Honors candidates register for both 457 and 458. Staff.

Short-Term Units
s23. Russian Language and Culture in Russia. Language study with Russian instructors in Oryol. Excursions to points of historical and cultural interest, and the opportunity to become familiar with Russian life through home stays. Prerequisite: at least one year of Russian or permission of the instructor. Limited enrollment. Ms. Costlow.

s35. The Short Fiction of Russia's "Silver Age." This unit introduces students to short fiction by major figures of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including Anton Chekhov, Ivan Bunin, Maksim Gorky, and Fyodor Sologub. The unit also gives some attention to the literary, cultural, and philosophical contexts of the period, in particular to the aesthetics of symbolism and the neo-realists. All reading, writing, and discussion are in Russian. Prerequisite: Russian 302. Recommended background: at least one course in Russian literature in translation. [Ms. Costlow].

Other Foreign Languages
141-142-143-144. Self-Instructional Program in Less Commonly Taught Languages. Learning languages through the use of tapes, textbooks, and conventional classroom procedures, with consultants proficient in the language, under the supervision of a member of the Department. Where appropriate, final testing is by a visiting examiner of recognized qualifications, who consults with the Department Chair on the testing. One course credit is granted upon completion of two consecutive semesters. Written permission of the Chair is required. For the academic year 1995-1996 no languages will be offered. [Mr. Decker].

360. Independent Study. Individual study, under the direction of a staff member, of a language not included in the regular course offerings. May be taken more than once for credit. Permission of the Department is required. [Staff].

365. Special Topics. Designed for the small group of students who wish to study, under the direction of a staff member, a language not included in the regular course offerings. May be taken more than once for credit. Permission of the instructor is required. [Staff].

370. Practicum in Foreign-Language Teaching. This course is intended for foreign-language students who are interested in teaching at the secondary-school level or above. The course focuses on current issues in foreign-language pedagogy, with emphases on oral proficiency, authentic texts, and learner-centered instruction. Students design course syllabi and daily lesson plans, compose exams, review textbooks and related instructional materials, observe various levels of instruction at Bates and other schools, and teach practice sessions to other members of the practicum. This course is the same as Education 370. Prerequisite: at least one year of a foreign language at Bates beyond the second-year level, or written permission of the instructor to preregister. Recommended background: at least two years of college-level foreign language. Mr. Browne. F