The Roots of Russian Culture

Study of the patterns and roots of Russian culture over the last millennium and how Russia's languages have determined its worldviews and cultural structures (the Whorf-Sapir thesis). Principal topics: Russian spirituality, diglossia, other kinds of literacy; speech and silence as means of knowing and unknowing; the shape of time and the rhythm of space; sacred vs. secular history; etc. Lectures and discussions in English. Prerequisite: Intermediate Russian.