General Interim Information
Off Campus Interims
2008 Interim Extended Course Descriptions
THEATER IN RUSSIA - JANUARY 2008
Russian 256
Led by: Professor Marc Robinson, Department of Russian Language and Area Studies
Major Credit: RLAS and Theater elective
General Education Credit: Artistic Studies (ALS-A), ORC
**NO KNOWLEDGE OF RUSSIAN REQUIRED!!!**
This interdisciplinary course is designed for students who wish to develop knowledge and understanding of the theater contextualized within the rich cultural and historical resources of a great international culture. We will look at the incredibly rich and influential Russian theatrical tradition, from folk dramas up through Gogol, Chekhov and Stanislavsky as well as some world-famous theaters, such as the Moscow Art Theater, the Bolshoi Theater, the Mariinsky Theater and the Taganka Theater. In addition, we will look at contemporary movements in Russian theater as Russia moves from an exclusively reparatory system supported by the state to a more market-driven system. We will see many different theatrical genres from comedies and dramas to operas to children's theater. We will also visit the Mosfilm Film Studio - the largest film studio in Europe.
Our time will be spent in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the two capitals of Russia. We will also travel to Novgorod, an ancient capital of Russia, for a couple of days to visit a regional theatrical center.
As a group, and on our own, we'll visit some of the famous cultural/historical sites of Russia (such as the Kremlin, Red Square, The Hermitage, The Peter and Paul Fortress, the Tretiakov Gallery, and the Russian Museum).
In addition to the scheduled theater performances, we will also have lectures and discussions with some of the leading playwrights and directors of Russia as well as master classes in directing and acting.
This is not meant as a course for only Russian or Theatre majors. Ideally the course will be comprised of a wide spectrum of students.
Course Requirements :
- Attendance and participation at all scheduled plays, tours, and classes.
- Oral contributions to each class session including two formal oral presentations- a review of a performance and a review of one of the other historical or cultural sites and how they apply to what we have seen.
-You will be supplied with reading materials pertinent to our experience in December prior todeparture.
-You will keep an extensive and personal journal of the trip, including comments on each ofthe productions. I will read and grade your journal at the mid-point and end of interim.
- A final oral exam.
Housing: Accommodations will most likely be in hotels or hostels in both major cities. There is a possibility of living in dormitories with Russian theater students.
Cost: $3,600 which includes international airfare, housing and a per diem for some meals not included with the accommodations in Moscow and Petersburg, theater tickets, tours, group travel arrangements, and group expenses.
