Russian language and literature

Statement of programs and library needs

The University offers an interdisciplinary program in Russian Area Studies that awards a B.A. degree under the Liberal Arts and Sciences major. A Russian minor (18 hrs.) is required for this program. This statement covers only Russian language and literature; other subjects of this area study program (Russian history, art, political science, etc.) are described in the relevant collection development policy for those major areas. While most of the students in this field will read English translations and English-language works on the Russian language and literature, faculty members require a carefully selected cross section of original works in Russian linguistics, literature and literary history and criticism.

I. Collection areas

A. Area: Russian Language and Literature

 

B. Classes and Levels

PG 1-585        Slavic Philology and Literature
                  General   			    Study
PG 2001-2850    Russian Language                    Study
PG 2900-3800    Russian Literature                  Study

C. Chronology

Mainly 19th and 20th centuries with only basic coverage of subjects for earlier periods.

D. Geographic Guidelines

Russia and, selectively, exile literature. Very limited purchases from all other areas of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

E. Languages

The primary languages of the collection are English and Russian. In the area of language, greater emphasis is on English. In literature, literary works are preferably collected in the original with English translations whenever available.

F. Treatment

Mostly at college level or above. Lower level or juvenile treatment only very selectively in the form of graded readers. It should however be noted here that titles published in countries of the former Soviet Union for a middle or senior high school audience are of a degree of difficulty which makes them quite suitable for American college students.

G. Formats

Primarily print for monographs and most journals, though electronic full-text is also of growing importance for journals. Bibliographic databases are available through the Internet.

H. Multiple copies

Very few English-language titles for reserve reading.

II. Acquisition Strategy

The titles in Russian are selected almost exclusively by the bibliographer for Russian language and literature and have been "firm-ordered" since late 1981. Before that, an approval plan was in effect from 1972 to January 1981. This area is unique in that Russian books go out of print immediately and speed in ordering is therefore essential. Titles in English were acquired by blanket order during a period of 10 years ending January 1981. An approval plan for university press publications is now in effect beginning with 1982 imprints. A number of standing orders were also started again. There is relatively little retrospective buying: only works of major writers, still unrepresented in the collection, are purchased when the opportunity arises. Appropriate gifts in this area are offered (and accepted) rather seldom.

III. Collection Notes

The present collection numbers ca. 6,000 volumes in the PG class with another 800 volumes (approx.) in P, PN, C, Z, etc. The general trend of acquisition over the past 20 years has been one of increasing refinement of selection, starting with complete acceptance of all materials sent by the vendor to a limited number of carefully selected titles by firm order at present.

Revised 11/2000