Foreign Languages and Literatures: Slavic

Purpose: To support undergraduate instruction and faculty research in Russian language and literature. Primary interest in this field is found in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, but relevant materials, especially in English translation, are also of interest to faculty and students in the departments of English, Literary Studies, History, Political Science, and Theater. Russian 315 (Russian Civilization), Russian 317 (Contemporary Russian Culture), Russian 323 (Masterpieces of Russian Literature), and Russian 430 (St. Petersburg) are taught in English.

1. Languages: The primary languages of the collection are Russian and English. Important literary works are purchased in both Russian and in English translation, when available. Translations of literary or critical works into languages other than English are not ordinarily acquired. Studies of the Slavic literatures in general are purchased mainly in English or Russian.
2. Chronological Guidelines: In general, materials describing and exemplifying the development of Slavic languages and literatures from their origins to the present day are collected. In the case of literature, particular emphasis is placed on 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st century materials.
3. Geographical Guidelines: Emphasis is placed on material from Russia and the Soviet successor states. In support of Russian 430, books and materials pertaining to St. Petersburg and its history, especially pictorials highlighting its art and architecture, are purchased.
4. Treatment of Subject: Grammars, handbooks, dictionaries, literary texts, biographies of important literary figures, literary histories, and other relevant critical and theoretical writings are acquired. Juvenile literature will be acquired only when the author is of major literary importance. Anthologies and annotated readers are selectively acquired as needed for specific classes.
5. Types of Materials: Most materials are in the form of books or periodicals, including monographs, bibliographies, relevant encyclopedias and dictionaries, reports of institutes of literary research, proceedings of relevant congresses and conferences, and the literary works themselves. Manuscripts are not acquired. Microforms are considered for purchase when original publications or reprints are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
6. Date of Publication: Emphasis is on the acquisition of current imprints but, especially in the case of Russian literature, retrospective purchasing may also be done to fill in gaps and acquire important works. In the case of non-current acquisitions, reprints or microforms are preferred to original editions if they are less costly.