This is an archived copy of the 2012-14 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.utexas.edu/.

Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies

Russian, East Eurpoean, and Eurasian Studies: REE

Lower-Division Courses

REE 301. Introduction to Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.

An introduction to the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe through each of the major disciplines represented in the program: language, literature, anthropology, geography, history, government, sociology, and economics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. History 306N (Topic 4: Introduction to Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies: History) and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 301 may not both be counted. Government 314 (Topic 4: Introduction to Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies: Political Science) and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 301 may not both be counted.

REE 302. Topics in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: The Vampire in Slavic Cultures. Same as Slavic 301 (Topic 1: Vampire in Slavic Cultures). Examines the vampire in the cultures of Russia and Eastern Europe, including manifestations in literature, religion, art, film, and common practices from its origins to present. Only one of the following may be counted: Comparative Literature 305 (Topic: Vampire in Slavic Cultures), European Studies 307 (Topic: Vampire in Slavic Cultures), Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 302 (Topic: The Vampire in Slavic Cultures), 302 (Topic 1), Slavic 301 (Topic: The Vampire in Slavic Cultures), 301 (Topic 1).

REE 318Q. Supervised Research.

Individual instruction.

REE 119S, 219S, 319S, 419S, 519S, 619S, 719S, 819S, 919S. Topics in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.

This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

Upper-Division Courses

REE 320. Introduction to an East European Language.

An overview of the structure and vocabulary of an East European language necessary for a reading knowledge of the language. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May not be used to fulfill the foreign language requirement for any degree. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

REE 325. Topics in Language, Literature, and Culture.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Fulfills the basic Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies requirement in language, literature, and culture. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: Gypsy Language and Culture. Linguistic introduction to Romani; relationship to languages of India; history from 280 BC; modern dialects and international standard language; history and culture as reflected in the language. Only one of the following may be counted: Asian Studies 372 (Topic 13: Gypsy Language and Culture); Linguistics 322; Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic 1).
Topic 9: The Russian Novel. Same as English 322 (Topic 37: The Russian Novel) and Russian 356 (Topic 1: The Russian Novel). Only one of the following may be counted: English 322 (Topic 37), European Studies 361 (Topic: The Russian Novel), Russian 356 (Topic 1), Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic 9). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 10: The Major Works of Dostoevsky. Russian 360 (Topic 1: The Major Works of Dostoevsky). Explores the dilemmas of homicide, suicide, patricide, and redemption in the novels of Fyodor Dostoevsky. Only one of the following may be counted: Core Texts and Ideas 345 (Topic: Major Works of Dostoevsky), Russian 360 (Topic: Major Works of Dostoevsky), 360 (Topic 1), Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic: Major Works of Dostoevsky), 325 (Topic 10). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 11: Contemporary Russian Cinema. Same as Russian 330 (Topic 4: Contemporary Russian Cinema). Uses contemporary Russian film both as a means of exploring the confusion that resulted from the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the search for a new sense of identity in Russia throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian 330 (Topic: Contemporary Russian Cinema), 330 (Topic 4), Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic 11). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 12: The Apocalypse in Russian Literature and Culture. Russian 330 (Topic 5: The Apocalypse in Russian Literature and Culture). Explores and analyzes apocalyptic consciousness in Russian literature and culture from the Middle Ages to the present. Emphasis will be on such themes as the expectation of the end of the world, identification of the Antichrist, messianic prophecy, and visions of an afterlife. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian 330 (Topic: The Apocalypse in Russian Literature and Culture), 330 (Topic 5), Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic: The Apocalypse in Russian Literature and Culture), 325 (Topic 12). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 13: Introduction to Old Russian Literature and Culture. Same as Russian 330 (Topic 6: Introduction to Old Russian Literature and Culture). Medieval and early modern Russian literature and culture, including literary texts from Kievan and Muscovite Rus. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic: The Icon and the Sword: An Introduction to Old Russian Literature and Culture), 325 (Topic 13), Russian 330 (Topic: The Icon and the Sword: An Introduction to Old Russian Literature and Culture), 330 (Topic 6). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 14: Twentieth-Century Russian Culture. Same as Russian 330 (Topic 7: Twentieth-Century Russian Culture). Survey of the political, social, and cultural history of Russia during the Soviet period, from the revolutionary events of 1917 until the dissolution of the Soviet government and political system in December 1991. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic: Twentieth-Century Russian Culture), 325 (Topic 14), Russian 330 (Topic: Twentieth-Century Russian Culture), 330 (Topic 7). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 15: Slavs in the Western Imagination. Slavic 324 (Topic 4: Slavs in the Western Imagination). Examines representations of Eastern, Western, and Southern Slavs in Western Europe and North America. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, 325 (Topic: Slavs in the Western Imagination), 325 (Topic 15), Slavic 324 (Topic: Slavs in the Western Imagination), 324 (Topic 4). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 16: The Major Works of Tolstoy. Same as Russian 360 (Topic 2: The Major Works of Tolstoy). Explores Russian writer Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, particularly his progression from idealizing family life and the Russian state to renouncing sexual love and national allegiances. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic: The Major Works of Tolstoy), 325 (Topic 16), Russian 360 (Topic: Majors Works of Tolstoy), 360 (Topic 2). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 17: Political Terror in Russian Literature. Same as Russian 356 (Topic 2: Political Terror in Russian Literature). Explores works dealing with political terror and oppression by Dostoevsky, Bely, Babel, Akhmatova, and Solzhenitsyn. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic: Terror in Russia: Method, Madness, Murder), 325 (Topic 17), Russian 356 (Topic: Terror in Russia: Method, Madness, Murder), 356 (Topic 2). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 18: War and Revolution in Russian Literature and Culture. Same as Russian 356 (Topic 3: War and Revolution) in Russian Literature and Culture). Examines Russian narratives of war and revolution as represented in fiction, cinema, and journalism. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic: War and Peace in Russian Literature and Culture), 325 (Topic 18), Russian 356 (Topic: War and Peace in Russian Literature and Culture), 356 (Topic 3). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 19: Russian Youth Culture, Late Soviet to Present. Same as Russian 330 (Topic 8: Russian Youth Culture, Late Soviet to Present). Examines the history and cultural products (films, music, writings) of Russia's youth, and their impact on contemporary society and politics. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic: Russian Youth Culture, Gorbachev to Present), 325 (Topic 19), Russian 330 (Topic: Russian Youth Culture, Gorbachev to Present), 330 (Topic 8). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 20: Historical Survey of Russian Music. Same as Russian 330 (Topic 3: Historical Survey of Russian Music). Focus on the role of Russian Music in its social and historical context. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 325 (Topic: Historical Survey of Russian Music), 325 (Topic 20), Russian 330 (Topic: Historical Survey of Russian Music), 330 (Topic 3). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

REE 129S, 229S, 329S, 429S, 529S, 629S, 729S, 829S, 929S. Topics in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.

REE 335. Topics in History, Economics, and Government.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Fulfills the basic Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies requirement in history, economics, and government. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: Marxist Economics. An introduction to the Marxian economic theory of capitalism through the study of Karl Marx's Capital, volume I, and of its contemporary relevance. Economics 357K and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 335 (Topic 1) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, and Economics 304K and 304L with a grade of at least C in each; or consent of instructor.
Topic 2: Governments and Politics of Eastern Europe. Same as Government 324J and European Studies 348 (Topic 1: Governments and Politics of Eastern Europe). Only one of the following may be counted: European Studies 348 (Topic 1), 361 (Topic 14: Governments and Politics of Eastern Europe), Government 324J, Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 335 (Topic 2). Prerequisite: Six semester hours of lower-division coursework in government.
Topic 3: Governments and Politics of Russia. Issues of nationalism and state-building facing Russia and its neighbors. Evaluation of the post-Soviet experience from the perspectives of both domestic and foreign policy. Government 336M and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 335 (Topic 3) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Six semester hours of lower-division coursework in government.
Topic 5: History of Russia to 1917. Same as History 343L. Survey of Russian history from seventeenth-century Muscovy to the fall of the Romanovs in 1917. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 6: History of Russia since 1917. Same as History 343M. A survey of Russian history from the revolution of 1917 to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 10: The Military in Politics. Only one of the following may be counted: Government 365N (Topic 3: The Military in Politics); Latin American Studies 337M (Topic 9: The Military in Politics); Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 335 (Topic 10). Prerequisite: Six semester hours of lower-division coursework in government.
Topic 11: Germany in the Twentieth Century. Same as History 337N. Survey of German political and military institutions, economic development, culture, and society. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 12: Stalinist Russia. Same as History 350L (Topic 41: Stalinist Russia). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 13: Russian Economic Development since 1917. The growth of the planned economy in industry, agriculture, and labor. Economics 346K and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 335 (Topic 13) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Economics 304K and 304L with a grade of at least C in each, and six additional semester hours of coursework in social science; or consent of instructor.
Topic 14: Political Economy of International Crises. Examines several dimensions of the ongoing crises in the world economic order and the interrelationships among them. Problem areas covered are neoliberalism, international money, debt, famine, immigration, and energy shocks. Economics 357L and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 335 (Topic 14) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Economics 304K and 304L with a grade of at least C in each, and six additional semester hours of coursework in social science.
Topic 15: Understanding the Cold War. Same as Government 360N (Topic 4: Understanding the Cold War). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and six semester hours of lower-division coursework in government.

REE 345. Topics in Sociology, Geography, and Anthropology.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Fulfills the basic Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies requirement in sociology, geography, and anthropology. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 2: Regions and Cultures of Europe. Spatial patterns in Europe, with emphasis on cultural, historical, and political geography. Only one of the following may be counted: Geography 326; 385 (Topic: Regions and Cultures of Europe); Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 345 (Topic 2). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 4: Geography of the Former Soviet Union. Same as Geography 327. A systematic introduction to cultural, physical, political, and economic geography of the former Soviet Union. Focus on the fundamental transformation that the former Socialist Union Republics, now sovereign states, have undergone since 1991. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 5: Chechnya: the Politics, Power, and People. Same as Slavic 324 (Topic 3: Chechnya: the Politics, Power, and the People). Considers the history, culture, religions and recent upheaval of the region of the northern Caucasus called Chechnya. Only one of the following may be counted: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 345 (Topic: Chechnya: the Politics, Power, and People), 345 (Topic 5: Chechnya: the Politics, Power, and the People), Slavic 324 (Topic: Chechnya: the Politics, Power, and People), 324 (Topic 3). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 6: Northern Lands and Cultures. Develops geographical understanding of the Circumpolar region of the North, an ancient human habitat, home to distinct, millennia old, civilizations. Only one of the following may be counted: European Studies 346 (Topic: Northern Lands and Cultures), Geography 356T (Topic: Northern Lands and Cultures), Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 345 (Topic 6). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

REE 358Q. Supervised Research.

Individual instruction. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

REE 379C. Conference Course.

Conference course. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of the undergraduate adviser in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies.

REE 679H. Honors Tutorial Course.

Intensive reading and research planned with and approved by the honors adviser, followed by completion of a thesis. Conference course for two semesters. Required of Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies majors who plan to seek special honors in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies. Prerequisite: For 679HA, upper-division standing, admission to the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Honors Program, and consent of the honors adviser; for 679HB, Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 679HA.