This course is designed to acquaint students with major developments in Russian culture from its beginning to the second half of the 1 9th century. A special emphasis is made on so called "low" culture (everyday behavior and perception of the world by common people), which leads to a deeper understanding of works of Russian art and literature and contemporary Russian mentality.

The course discusses the development of all forms Russian art and literature treated in connection with historical events and in relationships among these art forms. For example, presenting the Romanticism it is shown how it was expressed in literature, painting, architecture, music, and everyday behavior of people. This is supported by the discussion of related historical events (such as the Napoleonic wars and the Desembrists Uprising). Placed in a wider context (historical events, the relationships between various forms of art, etc.), isolated works of art and literature acquire a deeper meaning and lead to their better understanding on the part of students.

Lectures with a profuse use of slides and video materials. Oral reports on the part of the students. Discussions. Exercises in cultural literacy, mid-term and final exams.

Textbook/Reader in Russian culture prepared by Slava Yastremski. It consists of vocabulary lists, outlines of cultural periods, original, glossed Russian texts, and exercises in cultural literacy in Russian.