SCAND 345 A: Baltic Cultures

Class meets MW 3:30-5:20, Smith Hall 309

Instructor: Guntis Šmidchens, guntiss@uw.edu; 
Office Hours: MW before and after class, and by appointment
[A downloadable pdf copy of the syllabus will be available here]

Course Objectives

• Encounter Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian culture:
  • Read two classic books, watch four acclaimed movies; 
  • read a bunch of stories, songs & poems in
    the long tradition of Baltic national identities.
  • listen to masterpieces of music, and interpret visual art in the 
    Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian "cultural canon" 
• Learn historical context useful to interpreting these Baltic cultural texts
• Cross the cultural divide—interpret Baltic culture and bring it to life in your own words

Required Readings (please bring your copy to class, for discussion!)

• Andrus Kivirähk, The Man Who Spoke Snakish (on sale at UW Bookstore)
  Estonian fantasy novel by Estonians' favorite author (, about the last human who knew the powerful language of snakes. Packed with dark humor, the book is also about the identity of a small nation adapting and surviving in a globalizing world - a perfect introduction to the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuania peoples of Northern Europe, ancient and modern.
• Žemaitė, Tofylis, or, the Marriage of Zosė (pdf copy in Canvas)
  Written by the founder of modern Lithuanian literature, Julija Beniuševičiūtė-Žymantienė (today she's known by her pen name, "Žemaitė"). This tragic story about a young woman in an arranged marriage elicited empathy among Lithuanian readers in the 1890s, ending the custom where parents decided whom their children marry.  The author is today celebrated by young Lithuanians as  a heroine who spoke words which changed the world.
  . 
  
• Other readings and videos, links and handouts shared in the Canvas website

Grades & Assignments

50% Contributions to discussions:

• • • Graded discussions online and in-class

40% Know and remember masterpieces of Baltic cultures

• • • 3x Module reviews/response essays/creative responses (written, audio or video).
      Drafts due mid-quarter; revised & resubmitted in your final portfolio
    • (possible spot quizzes for reading content, during class discussions)

10% Create new knowledge and/or interpretations of Baltic culture

• • • Oral presentation of/about Estonian, Latvian, and/or Lithuanian culture (=Final Exam, Thursday, Jun 11, 2:30 – 4:20 PM); written version submitted by midnight Friday, June 12.
      
      

Note

• Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/ ).
• Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/ ).