Monday, June 29 

Class:

1. 1.Turn in Response journal No. 6.
   

2. 2.Take Quiz No. 7 on ch. 24-26, Land of Firebird.
   

3. 3.Lecture on Avant-Garde Russia.
   

4. 4.Discuss ch. 24-26.
   

5. 5.View documentary on the history of the Hermitage during the 20th century.
   

Assignment for Wednesday:

1. 1.Read short history of Siege of Leningrad (Блокада) during World War II; there will be a short quiz.
   

2. 2.Read review of “Ballad of a Soldier.”
   

In addition, begin assignment for Monday, July 6.

First assignment:  The Children are our Future

1. 1.Read this article about Russian demographics.
   

2. 2.View this short video: Russian facing extinction.
   

3. 3.Read this article about Putin’s program to increase Russian population.
   

4. 4.View this short video: Will new Russian benefits boost Russian births?
   

5. 5.Read this article about Putin’s repatriation program.
   

Wednesday, July 1 

Class:

1. 1.Quiz No. 8 on Siege of Leningrad.
   

2. 2.View film “Ballad of a Soldier,” by Grigory Chukhrai.
   

Assignments for Monday, July 6:

Second assignment:  Russian journalism.

1. 1.Read about Anna Politkovskaya, Russian journalist.
   

2. 2.Watch video Murdering the Truth, (2007), 49 minutes.
   

3. 3.Read about the “50% Good News” policy in Russian journalism.
   

4. 4.Read how the new Russia stifles political dissent on television.
   

Third assignment:  Humor and superstitions

Short research assignment:  Find three (3) interesting Russian superstitions or traditions and three (3) funny Russian jokes (анекдоты), and write them down to turn in at the end of class.  List your sources informally.

Fourth assignment: Response Journal No. 7.

Question: “Is Russia part of Western or Eastern civilization?”  Minimum 100 words by the beginning of next class.

Friday, July 3

No class.  Happy Independence Day, one day early!