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Language Study

The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures offers instruction in the following languages:

Students who are interested in studying a language not normally offered by the department (e.g., less commonly taught Slavic languages such as Bulgarian, Macedonian, Slovak, etc. may propose a plan of study according to the tutorial model ("R" courses). It is primarily the student's responsibility to identify an instructor or tutor and to create a plan of study for the semester. To propose an "R" course, please download the informational documents linked below and follow the instructions on how to fill out and submit the online form.

Some additional non-Slavic languages of Central and Eastern Europe (e.g., Estonian, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Romanian, etc.) as well as languages of the Caucasus and Central Asia (e.g., Georgian, Kazakh, Uzbek, etc.) may be appropriate for sponsorship by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. If you are interested in studying a non-Slavic language from these areas of the world, please contact the Director of the Slavic Language Program, Dr. Steven Clancy.

Note on independent language tutorials ("R" Courses)

Independent language tutorials are offered only by application and upon approval by the Director of the Slavic Language Program and the Office of Undergraduate Education. Students must demonstrate clear academic need for the tutorial (e.g. knowledge of the language contributes to thesis research, other coursework, planned study/research/internships abroad, etc.) Mere academic interest in the language is not sufficient for approval. Application information is available below. Interested students should submit on-line applications to Dr. Steven Clancy <sclancy@fas.harvard.edu>, preferably by the second day of classes. No applications accepted after Wednesday of the second week of classes.

NOTE: The R Proposal Form and Information about R Tutorials has been newly updated (5 August 2016) in order to simplify and streamline the process. Please use the new online form and information linked below.

"R" Language Tutorial Proposal Online Form

harvardrtutorialproposalhardcopy.pdf113 KB
independentlanguagetutorialinformation.pdf93 KB

Note on the sequence of courses: Students in the Russian program have choices as they progress from the Elementary sequences (A-level courses) to Intermediate sequences (B-level courses) to the Advanced sequences at the third-year (101-103, 102r), fourth-year (111, 112, 113, 114), and fifth-year (115-116) levels. Although single tracks such as Russian A to B, Aab to Bab, and At to Bt lead directly to 101-103, students may change tracks from year to year as they progress (e.g., A to Bt, Aab to B,  At to B, etc.). These courses all lead to the common third-year level sequence (Russian 101-103). At the fourth-year level, students may choose from a range of thematic half courses offered each semester.

1st Year:  A   At   Aab   Ah

2nd Year:  B   Bt   Bab

3rd Year:  101   103   102r

4th Year:  111  112  113  114

5th Year: 115

Czech 113: Advanced Czech II: Readings in Czech Literature and Culture

Professor Veronika Tuckerova.    MW 3:00-4:15 pm

Reading and discussion of modern Czech literature, including short stories, memoirs, essays, and graphic novels. Continued work on vocabulary expansion and composition, as well as translation practice. Readings from classic and contemporary authors, including Škvorecký, Vaculík, Havel, Hiršal and Grögerová, Jáchym Topol, Kaprálová, Olahová, Zmeškal, Lacková, Balabán, and others.

Prerequisites: Five semesters of Czech (Czech A, Czech B, and one semester of Czech Cr) or the equivalent.

1st Year:  A

2nd Year:  B

3rd Year:  advanced courses in Polish are offered on a tutorial basis

1st Year: Aa   Ab

2nd Year: Ba   Bb

3rd Year: Cr