University of Victoria, Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies
SLST 210: Special Topics. Ways of Seeing: Virtual Tour of Russia and Eastern Europe.
Spring 2016 (January-April 2016)
SECTION: A01
Time
11:30-12:20
Days
TWF
Room
CLE A314
Contact Information:
Instructor: Dorota Lockyer
Email: [email protected]
Office: CLE D 244
Office Hours: T 12:30-1:30, Weds 10:30-11:30 and by appointment
I’m on campus Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Course prerequisites: none
Overview
Russia and Eastern Europe have long been a source of fascination – both attraction and repulsion – across the
world, particularly in the West. These conflicting emotions and perspectives towards Eastern Europe has been
documented by many tourists and expats in the form of diaries, travel memoirs and travelogues. Travel writing
is not a new phenomenon, and its increasing popularity has contributed to new forms of travel writing, such as
the travel blog. What have English travellers written about Eastern Europe in the 20 th and 21st centuries and
how can their accounts help us understand Eastern Europe today? Thus, we will explore each country with
travel writing as our overarching theme.
As arm-chair travellers, we will adopt a ‘tour’ route starting from Russia, and then travelling across Belarus,
Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia before turning to Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Montenegro, Macedonia and Bulgaria. We will consider cultural differences and travel writers’ descriptions
and attitudes towards pivotal literary (e.g. famous poets and authors), visual (e.g. fashion, comics and
postcards), audio/linguistic (e.g. musicians and language) and historical (e.g. the Holocaust) influences. We will
explore a variety of representations of Eastern Europe and examine the techniques writers have used to
describe physical characteristics of Eastern European landscape, architecture, and art; customs and manners;
and cross-cultural connections and failures. In order to frame our own perspectives, we will also look at and
listen to some of these media, such as film, songs, art, and architecture. In addition, you will learn some survival
language, learn to differentiate between the Slavic alphabets, and explore practical aspects of travelling which
will prepare you to confidently travel in any Slavic country.
Background
I am a PhD Candidate in the Department of English at the University of British Columbia and a Sessional
Instructor here in the Germanic & Slavic Studies department at UVic. I hold an MA in Slavic Studies and a BA
Double Major in Russian and English from UVic. I grew up speaking Polish at home, and I have frequently
travelled to Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and have been once to the Ukraine. Although I have not yet been
to Russia or the South Slavic countries, I am intrigued by them and hope that I can impart some of this sense of
exploration and discovery to you. More generally, though, I am fascinated with the Slavic languages and also
English, particularly in comparative Slavic and English linguistics, translation, and culture.
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Course Objectives
After successfully completing SLST 210 you will:




Identify key features (e.g. customs, language, major authors) of each country and how they differ
from each other
Identify ways that Russia and Eastern Europe has been represented by travel writers
Recognize pivotal socio-historical, cultural, literary, linguistic and other key elements of Russia and
Eastern European countries
Know basic survival language and practical ways of travelling across Eastern Europe
You will also acquire several important transferable skills, such as effective work in pairs and teams, focused
listening, informal presentations, language awareness, and cultural appreciation.
Texts and Materials
Required
 Coursepack (available at the Bookstore)
Supplementary Readings: Since the class involves some multimedia, I will make available various readings,
songs and video clips for your own interest. Some of these will be viewed and discussed in class. These readings
can help you more fully understand the topics discussed in class.
Tentative Class Schedule with Readings
This schedule is subject to change, but you can get the most up-to-date information on CourseSpaces. The
course is organized in a tour format, beginning in Russia, going to Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic,
Slovakia and South Slavic countries as if driving by car. Each week (or two) is focused on a specific country;
however, this is not exclusive, and many lectures will draw in relevant facts from other Slavic countries.
As this course examines travel narratives and representations of each country in literature, blog posts and other
media, there will be readings assigned to be read outside of class in preparation for the day that we will discuss
it in class.
Week
Date
Topic
1
Jan. 5
Jan. 6
Introduction to Russia and Eastern Europe
Overview of the Slavic Languages: Alphabets, Letters,
Words
 Overview of the alphabets and briefly about each
Slavic language
 Slavic terms that will play a major role in this
course (e.g. naglost’)
Cultures, Text and Travel: Images Framing the Travelling
Experience
 Overview of cultural differences (e.g. Hofstede’s
‘Dimensions of Cultural Variability’)
Jan. 8
Readings and
Deadlines
2

2
Jan. 12
Jan. 13
Jan. 15
3
Jan. 19
Jan. 20
Jan. 22
The ways in which travel experiences are mediated
through texts and images (photographs,
travelogues, blogs, perceptions)
Religion, Nationalism, and Superstition: Christianity, Islam,
Judaism and Pagan Relics
 The Orthodox Church in Russia, Catholicism in
Poland, the mixture of three religions in Bosnia
 Superstitions
 Nationalism and religion in Poland and Russia
(Guest speaker: Dr. Julia Rochtchina)
Introduction to Russia; Beautiful Architecture, Geography
in St. Petersburg and Beyond
 Architecture in St. Petersburg (the Church of Our
Savior on the Spilled Blood, etc.)
 White nights that ‘enhance the illusion of the
transcendental’
 Lake Baikal
(Guest speaker: Dr. Megan Swift)
Naglost’ Power and Corruption, Russian-style: Moscow and
St. Petersburg
 Politeness and rudeness: at home vs. in public
 The gap between rich and poor
 Mafia and ‘contract genocide’
 Power of the state over the people; obligarchs
Literary Map of Russia: Famous Masterpieces, Current
Authors, Diverse Russian Perspectives

Famous Russian authors(historically): e.g. Tolstoy,
Dostoevsky
 Popular contemporary novels and films: e.g. Night
Watch, Rodina; popular music
Belarus, an Introduction:
 Language, masterpieces, identity
 TV and Media: Influences from America, The
Theorists: Big Bang Theory's Belarusian Rip-Off
Unveiling Ukraine
 Eastern Ukraine vs. Western Ukraine
 Famous authors, artists, etc.
 Crimea
(Guest speaker: Dr. Serhy Yekelchyk & Dr. Olga Pressitch)
Excerpt from Midnight
in Siberia [Coursepack],
pgs. 60-61
Excerpt from: Andrew
Meier, Black Earth: A
Journey through Russia
after the Fall
[Coursepack], pgs. 79-80
Excerpt from: Andrew
Meier, Black Earth: A
Journey through Russia
after the Fall
[Coursepack], pgs. 7778, 81-85; 53; 40, 45-49
Excerpt from Midnight
in Siberia [Coursepack],
pg. 55
3
4
5
Jan. 26
Ukraine: When Everything from the West is ‘Best’
 Borrowing of English words
 Foreign food and restaurants; this could be a
typical Western street
Excerpt from Black
Earth [Coursepack], pg.
87
Jan. 27
Jan. 29
The West Slavs: Introduction to Poland
Attitudes to Foreigners: Jews, Vietnamese, Westerners,
Refugees
 The Jews in Poland
 The Vietnamese markets in the Czech Republic
 The (Romanian) Gypsies
 The Syrian refugees
Test 1
Pgs. 7, 30, 63, 101 in
Coursepack
Feb. 2
History and National Character – the Legacy of Communism
and the Holocaust
(Guest speaker: Dr. Helga Thorson)
(Film: Ida)
(Cont’d: Ida)
Guest visit from Merit Travel about Travelling in Eastern
Europe: Student Promotions, Discounts, etc. for your
Summer Vacation
Excerpts from: Tom
Fort, Against the Flow
[Coursepack], pgs. 7-8
Feb. 3
Feb. 5
6
7
Feb. 9
Feb. 10
Feb. 12
Feb. 16
Feb. 17
Feb. 19
READING BREAK (NO CLASSES)
Ashes and Miracles: Beer & Potatoes: Food, Cuisine, and
Alcoholism
 Staples of the Slavic cuisine: pierogies, placki,
pelmeni, etc.; Slavic wines and alcohol
 The importance of potatoes and beer
 Alcoholism
(Slavic potluck lunch?)
Hospitality: ‘A Guest in the House is God in the House’ &
Home Life
 Demonstrations of hospitality in Poland: slippers,
food and drinks
 Toasts
 Domestic violence, a woman’s role in the home
Women in Business, the Reaction to Feminism
 The move back to “traditional family values”; a
reaction to Communist sloganeering
 Reaction to feminism
 Chivalry vs. sexism
Excerpt from Tom Fort,
Against the Flow
[Coursepack], Midnight
in Siberia [Coursepack],
pgs. 58-60
Excerpt from: Irena
Karafilly, Ashes and
Miracles: A Polish
Journey [Coursepack],
pg. 115, 105
Excerpt from: Irena
Karafilly, Ashes and
Miracles: A Polish
Journey [Coursepack],
pgs. 113-114
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8
Feb. 23
Feb. 24
Feb. 26
9
Mar. 1
Mar. 2
Mar. 4
10
Mar. 8
Mar. 9
Mar. 11
11
Mar. 15
Culture-specific Keywords, Expressing Emotion and Body
Language
 The term ‘emotional’: expressing emotion in public
 Przykro, tęsknota
 Gestures, signs, body language and their meanings
Silesia and the Górals: Between Poland and the Czech
Republic
 Dialects and minorities
 The land, language, music, the traditions of the
Górals and Silesians
 Zakopane, Cieszyn
Introduction to Czech Republic: The ‘Chucks’
Midnight in Siberia
[Coursepack], pgs. 40-41
Humour and Laughter
 Poking fun at the government or invaders
(Germans, Russians)
 Slavic humour, comedy routines, comics
 The Good Soldier Švejk and absurd Czech comedy
and dark sense of humour
Art and Artists, Bizarre Czech Architecture
 Sacrilegious artwork by Czechs; David Černý
 Most disturbing tourist attractions
Time’s Magpie: The Police in Prague (& Other Cities)
 Corruption, racism, incompetence, and distrust of
police officers
 Czech fines vs. Canadian/American fines
 Haggling
Excerpt from Irena
Karafilly, Ashes and
Miracles: A Polish
Journey [Coursepack],
pgs. 102-103
Introduction to Slovakia: The Land and its People
Up High and Down Low: The Tatry (Tatras) and Caves, the
Mermaid, Legends, and Fairy-tales
 The Smok, the Warsaw Mermaid, the Russian
Rusalka and Domovoi
 The legend of Juraj Janosik, the Polish Robin Hood
Presentations (if any) on the West Slavs; Catch-Up Day
Test 2
Pg. 96
Excerpt from Irena
Karafilly, Ashes and
Miracles: A Polish
Journey [Coursepack],
pgs. 109-112
Excerpt from: Rachael
Weiss, Me, Myself &
Prague [Coursepack]
Excerpt from: Rachael
Weiss, Me, Myself &
Prague [Coursepack]
Myla Goldberg, Time’s
Magpie [Coursepack]
Going South: Introduction to Slovenia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Croatia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro
 Short history of Yugoslavia, Tito, wars
 Languages, masterpieces, geography, etc.
5
Mar. 16
Mar. 18
12
Mar. 22
Mar. 23
Mar. 25
13
Mar. 29
Mar. 30
Apr. 1
Mystical Places in the South Slavic Countries: Waterfalls,
Islands, Dubrovnik
 Monasteries, religious places
 Natural wonders: waterfalls, islands, forests
 Places bloggers visited, photographed, and why
Graphic and Performance Arts: Artisans, Dancers
 Artisans: wool rugs, carpets; calligraphy; silk
embroidery
 Music, dances, instruments: the ravne pesme (flat
song), the diple (droneless bagpipe), etc.
Search for travel blogs
about these places
On Display: Fashion and the Concept of Beauty
 What women are expected to wear: traditional vs.
contemporary clothing
 Fashion shows
 What to wear in different contexts (e.g. churches,
mosques) when visiting
TBA. (Easter Celebrations?)
Good Friday- No Class
Practically Travelling: Eating Out, Nightlife, Shopping
 Famous places to eat, shop, visit
 Tipping, driving, transportation
Travelling: Train, Bus, Airplane – Now the Fun Begins
 The Russian train-ticket window
 Tourism
Last Day of Class
Midnight in Siberia
[Coursepack], pgs. 50-53
Grading
At the end of the semester your final percentage will determine your final grade, as follows:




Tests (2x15%)
Short assignments (5x5%)
Major project
Attendance and participation
30%
25%
30%
15%
Note that there is a final exam for this course.
GRADE SCHEME:
A+
A
AB+
B
90-100%
85-89%
80-84%
77-79%
73-76%
BC+
C
D
F
70-72%
65-69%
60-64%
50-59%
0-49%
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Evaluation: Readings, Tests and Projects
Tests: There will be two written multiple-choice/short answer tests during the semester (each approximately
30 minutes long and in total worth 30% of your final grade). These will assess your comprehension of the
material from the readings, guest lectures and class discussions. There will be no make-up tests, except in the
case of death in the family, military orders, or an excuse from your doctor showing that you are unable to take
the exam. A list of religious holidays recognized by the university is available on UVic’s website. Observance of
religious holidays is considered an excused absence, but notification should be made to me at the beginning of
the semester. The finalized date of each test will be announced one week in advance.
Short Assignments:
 Travel itinerary: Design your own trip in any Slavic countries. Describe your route, where you would
go (choose at least ten places across at least three countries) and explain why. What is special about
these places? You may engage with historical, linguistic, literary, and other aspects in your explanation.
This assignment is designed to let you familiarize yourself with places that you find interesting and
perhaps would like to visit, if you haven’t already. Have fun with this. The plan should be approx. 2-3
pages long (double-spaced).
 Reflections: In this course we will view one film and will read excerpts from travel narratives. The four
reflections are a way for you to engage with what you’ve read and discussed in class in a personal
manner. These are intended to be informal, short (one or two page, or the length of a typical blog post),
written in first-person. Although I expect a well-thought out written piece, it will not be marked as
much for grammar as for your interpretation and thoughts.
Each assignment is due by the last day of the course by email or in hard copy. There is no specified due date;
that is, you may hand them in at any time. I would suggest planning these assignments around your schedule
so you do not leave them all until the last week of class. I have chosen this option for your convenience, so
please use your time wisely.
Major project: For the major project, you will either write a paper (approx. 6-7 pages), present a PowerPoint
presentation (about 15 minutes), or another project on a topic of your choosing. Please send me a brief email
by the second week of classes that explains what you would like to do. The presentations will take place during
the course, beginning at the end of January and continuing until the last day of classes (April 1). A sign-up sheet
will be posted during the first week of class for presentations.
Final exam: There is no final examination for this course. The final grade for the course will be the combined
average of the marks obtained from the tests, written responses, final project, and attendance/participation.
Tests will be marked on a point basis, which is converted into a final percentage/letter grade at the end of the
course.
Course Policies
Attendance: As regular attendance is vital for gaining the most out of this course, class attendance is mandatory
and will count toward your participation grade. It is imperative not only to attend class, but to arrive on time
and prepared so that you can get the most out of class. Readings assigned for a day should be read by the start
of class. However, I understand that buses can be late and that unexpected delays occur. If you arrive late, please
slip in quietly so not to disturb your classmates. If you do miss class or arrive late, it is up to you to get notes
from your classmates.
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Regular class time will include group/pair work and class discussions. We will also be engaging in collaborative
learning in order to deepen your comprehension of lectures, reading material and guest speakers. Participation
in these activities will help you prepare for tests and also provide me with feedback on your progress. Despite
the benefits of classroom participation, I understand that some of you may not be comfortable with speaking
in class – this is completely normal. If you feel uncomfortable with speaking or being called on in class, please
talk to me early and we will discuss alternative ways for you to achieve full marks towards your active
participation grade.
Classroom conduct: Please set your cellphones on vibrate for the duration of the class, or turn them off. Because
we will be discussing potentially sensitive issues, it is vital that we adopt a respectful attitude towards each
other and carefully consider each other’s point of view.
Office Hours: Feel free to take advantage of my office hours (Tuesdays 12:30-1:30, Wednesdays 10:30-11:30
and by appointment). This is a good time for you to ask questions about class work, to receive feedback on your
performance on the tests or to seek advice on how to prepare your presentation or study for tests. I advise you
not to wait until you do poorly on a test before you consult with me.
Important Information
It is your responsibility to attend to ADD/DROP dates as published in the Calendar and the Undergraduate
Registration Guide and Timetable. You will not be dropped automatically from a class that you do not attend.
Students who miss substantial amounts of class and assignments without documentation will be asked to
withdraw, or will receive an ‘N’ at the end of the semester. Even when the reasons for failing to meet course
requirements are valid, it is not academically sound to allow students missing significant amounts of work to
continue in the course.
A Note on Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Actions such as plagiarism, multiple submissions, falsifying materials used in academic evaluations, cheating
or aiding others to cheat violate University policies on academic integrity and are considered serious offence.
You must inform yourself about the university regulations (see UVic Policy on Academic Integrity).
Accessibility Statement
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. In particular, if you have a
disability/health consideration that may require accommodations, please feel free to approach me and/or the
Resource Centre for Students with a Disability (RCSD) as soon as possible. RCSD staff members are available
by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate accommodations. The
sooner you let us know your needs the quicker we can assist you in achieving your learning goals in this course.
Withdrawals and Deferrals
Students who miss substantial amounts of class and assignments without documentation will be asked to
withdraw, or they will receive an ‘N’ at the end of the semester. Even if the reasons for failing to meet course
requirements are valid, it is not academically sound to allow students missing significant amounts of work to
continue in the course. Students are to familiarize themselves with the withdrawal dates in the current
academic calendar.
I’m looking forward to working with you over this coming term!
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