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Inside this issue: Winter 2009
From the Chair 2 Professor Celebrates Silver Anniversary
New Faculty Profiles 3 Dr. Charles Gribble has led several generations of scholars at OSU
Faculty Profiles 4 Charles E. (Chuck) Gribble is not Students are most impressed by his
only the longest-serving professor in devotion not only to teaching, but also
Brintlinger Publishes New the Department, but also, with nearly to their personal welfare. Dr. Gribble
Books 5 50 years’ teaching ex- spends a great deal of
perience, he is one of time helping students
Joseph Honored Internationally 6 the longest-serving to prepare for their ex-
professors currently aminations and some-
Hashamova Publishes and working in the field of times holds weekly re-
Begins New Project 7 Slavic Studies. Dr. Grib- view sessions for M.A.
ble has been teaching candidates. He lavishes
Lehiste Honored 8
since 1961—first at immense time and at-
Study Abroad Programs 9 Brandeis, then at Indi- tention on the papers
ana University. He has that his graduate stu-
Faculty, Staff and Student been at The Ohio State dents write and is as
News 13 University since 1975 solicitous as a mother
and was promoted to hen about their prog-
Schweitzer Donation 15 his current rank of Pro- ress. While at Ohio
fessor in 1989. Even State, Dr. Gribble has
Announcements 16
though he has passed his thirty- (and supervised nine M.A. theses and seven
Photos of DSEELL Activities 17 forty-) year mark, he remains devoted Ph.D. dissertations, as well as some five
to teaching, scholarship, and service. “first professional papers” (essentially,
Invitation to Contribute 19 Indeed, for the past half decade, while theses written in the first quarter af-
serving as Graduate Studies Chair of the ter the M.A., which the Department
Department, he has voluntarily taught requires of Plan-B M.A. recipients).
uncompensated overloads every year in Moreover, he has served as a reader of
Those interested in donating to order to ensure that enough classes and virtually every M.A. and Ph.D. disser-
the Department of Slavic and a broad enough spectrum of subjects tation in Slavic Linguistics defended in
East European Languages and are taught in our graduate program in the Department for as long as we can
Literatures are invited to make Slavic Linguistics. In conversation, he remember. He has been on innumer-
tax-deductible contributions. has stated that he is enjoying teach- able graduate examination committees.
For more information, please ing now more than ever and wishes to Dr. Gribble is a well-published and
e-mail gifts@osu.edu or call 614- continue as long as his health will per- well-respected scholar in Slavic Linguis-
688-3250. mit—a wish that his students fervently tics. He has recently completed a mono-
Your contributions are greatly share. He is an outstanding teacher at graph entitled The Forms of Russian. He
appreciated! all three levels—GEC, upper-division/ is also the author of two standard text-
major, and graduate—as is demonstrat- books, Russian Root List with a Sketch of
ed by his continuously high SEI scores. Continued on page 12
Page 2 From the Chair
• Acting Department Chair An update from DSEELL Acting Chair Dr. Irene Delic
Irene Delic
After two delightful and rewarding S694), and Dr. Jenny Suchland has of-
• Faculty years at the University of North Caro- fered the Department exciting new
Angela K. Brintlinger lina at Chapel Hill, I have returned to course proposals about post-Soviet so-
Alexander Burry my academic home. I am happy to be ciety. More details about our outstand-
Daniel E. Collins back in our intellectually exciting and ing new faculty are to be found inside
Charles E. Gribble collegial Department this Newsletter. The
Yana Hashamova and glad to be Act- Department wel-
Ludmila Isurin ing Chair for a year, comes its energetic
Brian Joseph while we are look- and talented three
Jessie Labov ing for a new Chair new colleagues and
Andrea Sims and faculty member looks forward to
Halina Stephan from outside. I am working together
Jennifer Suchland told by the Search with them on their
Committee that we innovative ideas!
• Visiting Faculty & Lecturers will soon have the We also wel-
Andre Cretu opportunity to meet come another col-
Predrag Matejic with the two appli- league—not quite a
Irma Murvanishvili cants selected as final choices; they newcomer—to our ranks. Maria Alley
Agnes Risko will visit us and present lectures in Jan- has been with us for some time, but
uary of 2009. she is “new” under the titles of Acting
• Administrative Staff Our Department has always prid- Coordinator of Language Programs
Maria Alley ed itself in being “universal,” as open and GTA Coordinator. Taking up these
Linda Milbourne to linguistic as to literary and cultural duties in autumn 2007, she has been
Karen G. Nielsen perspectives, fully realizing that they of immense benefit to us all with her
can hardly be separated. We have also superb planning skills and constant
• Editors for a long time taken pride in not be- readiness to make the best arrange-
Irene Delic ing Russo-centric but a truly Slavic and ments possible for each individual GTA.
Linda Milbourne East European Department. It seems to In spite of her heavy workload she co-
me that these principles have born rich authored the just published textbook
• Layout/Design fruit, as evidenced by the outstanding Animation for Russian Conversation. It
Linda Milbourne achievements of our long-standing fac- is presented in greater detail on page
ulty, as well as the enrichment of our 13.
programs provided by our new faculty Nor is Dr. Ludmila Isurin quite a
who, apparently, have found our ap- newcomer to our Department; she
Slava is a publication of The Ohio proach attractive. served as Director of Language Pro-
State University’s Department of We have three new faculty mem- grams before being promoted to Assis-
Slavic and East European Lan- bers and all of them already have tant Professor last year. Her interests
guages and Literatures. Slava re- something to “show” for their short focus on second language acquisition
ports departmental news, highlights time with us. There is, for example, and psycholinguistics, bilingualism and
faculty achievement and showcases Dr. Jessie Labov’s Honors course Slavic semantics and the last year has been
both graduate and undergraduate 519: The City of Sarajevo, which, “con- one of intense research activity for
students. Slava’s article submission tingent upon approval by all relevant her. She has visited locations in Israel,
policy is open and all are encouraged curricular bodies” was selected for Germany, and the USA with significant
to submit news or opinions. Slava funding by the Selection Committee Russian diaspora populations, in order
would also like to thank all contribu- of the University Honors and Scholars to study changes in Culture percep-
tors, without whom this publication Center in autumn 2008. Dr. Andrea tion, Identity (Jewish and Russian),
would not be possible. Sims received an invitation to teach
in the Linguistics Department (L509, Continued on page 11
Page 3 New Faculty Profiles
Jessie Labov joins us from Stanford After receiving her Ph.D. from the Jennifer Suchland, Assistant Pro-
University, where she was a postdoc- Linguistics Department at The Ohio fessor in the Department of Slavic and
toral fellow for a few years after receiv- State University in 2006 (and an M.A. East European Languages and Litera-
ing her Ph.D. from NYU in Comparative from the DSEELL), Andrea Sims held tures and the Department of Women’s
Literature. Her area of teaching spe- a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Studies, earned her Ph.D. degree at
cialization is twentieth-century Central Linguistics at Northwestern University. the University of Texas and comes to us
European literature & visual culture, She returned to OSU in September from Southwestern University where
and in particular the connection be- 2008 as an Assistant Professor in the she had a Visiting Scholar position.
tween underground cultural produc- DSEELL. Dr. Sims’ research focuses on Her areas of specialization are
tion (samizdat) and emigre journals morphological systems, with a particu- Women’s and Gender Studies, Com-
and broadcasts (tamizdat). At Stan- lar emphasis on Bosnian/Croatian/Ser- parative Politics and Political Theory.
ford she was involved in two larger re- bian. She is currently preparing a book Of specific interest to her are ques-
search projects, one on the Radio Free manuscript titled The Implicational tions such as these: Are there univer-
Europe/Radio Liberty collection at the Structure of the Paradigm: A Study of sal categories of difference? How do
Hoover Archives, and one in the digital Inflectional Defectiveness. In Autumn different societies express, interpret
humanities, on quantitative analysis of 2008 she taught an undergraduate and construct categories of difference?
large collections of text. From the van- class on East European immigration to What does it mean to study gender
tage point of literary and cultural stud- the U.S., and a graduate seminar on across national boundaries in a trans-
ies, Jessie has been collaborating with corpus-based linguistic analysis. national world?
those in history and the social sciences Continued on page 6
to try to understand how the move-
ment of text and images across the Labov continued:
iron curtain has had an impact on the For the last three years, Jessie has pants. As one of the co-organizers of
movement of people and ideas, and also been a part of the international the project, Jessie has been spending
vice versa. She is just completing work research project “Alternative Culture a lot of time in Budapeszt, looking for
on an edited volume of essays, From Beyond Borders: the Past and Present effective modes of activism within the
Samizdat to Tamizdat, and revising her of the Arts and Media in the Context academy. Projects like this can improve
book manuscript entitled Transatlantic of Globalization,” which is an Open access to resources and provide travel
Central Europe. Her next project looks Society Institute project supporting and research opportunities for aca-
specifically at film as a medium, a ma- higher education in Central & Eastern demics in Central & Eastern Europe,
terial, and a cultural practice that trav- Europe. The group consists of around but at the same time enrich Slavic
eled crossed the Iron Curtain, and she 25 junior faculty from the region, and Studies in North America by integrat-
has written a series of essays on new 10 “core faculty” who design seminars, ing the work of a new generation of
approaches to Central European film subgroups, publishing projects and de- post-89 scholars from the region.
based on this premise. velop courses in tandem with partici-
Page 4 Faculty Profiles
The Department of Slavic and East
European Languages and Literatures
similarly broad spectrum of interests:
“Transposing the Apocalypse: Kuro-
sawa’s The Idiot” (Canadian Review
of Comparative Literature, June 2007)
and “The Poet’s Fatal Flaw: Venedikt
Erofeev’s Don Juan Subtext in Wal-
purgis Night, or the Steps of the Com-
mander” (The Russian Review, Janu-
ary 2005). He is currently working on
several article projects, one of which
explores execution, trauma, and post-
apocalypse in Dostoevsky’s The Idiot.
Dr. Burry has also translated Anna
Ludmila Isurin, formerly the Di- Politkovskaya’s A Small Corner of Hell:
Alexander Burry combines a tra- Dispatches from Chechnya (with Ta-
rector of the Language Programs in ditional focus on Russian literature
the Department of Slavic and East tiana Tulchinsky, University of Chicago
with an interdisciplinary perspective. A Press, 2003). He has served as Program
European Languages and Literatures, nineteenth-century specialist, he also
was promoted to the rank of Assistant Committee Chair of the American As-
works with twentieth-century litera- sociation of Teachers of Slavic and East
Professor, Fall 2007. ture, opera, film, comparative litera-
Dr. Isurin received a Ph.D. in sec- European Languages since 2007.
ture, and other topics. Dr. Burry’s teaching, like his re-
ond language acquisition and psycho- Dr. Burry has been an Assistant
linguistics from Louisiana State Uni- search, focuses on the Russian canon
Professor in DSEELL since Autumn and its intersections with other me-
versity. Her research interests include 2004. He received his Ph.D. in 2002
second language acquisition, effects dia and cultures. He has taught Rus-
from Northwestern University, and sian literature on all levels, including
of the second language on the first, was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Princeton
bilingualism, psycholinguistics (i.e. the introductory undergraduate sur-
University from 2003-2004. His book vey course Masterpieces of Russian
memory construct, lexical access, cog- Multi-mediated Dostoevsky, which is
nition), and semantics. Literature in Translation (which he is
under review at the University of Pitts- supervising this year), upper level un-
Over the past few years, she has burgh Press, examines transpositions
taught a wide variety of courses such dergraduate courses on Russian Real-
of Dostoevsky’s works into opera, film, ism, Literature and Culture of the Rus-
as Introduction to Language; Bilin- and drama. Recent articles cover a
gualism: Selected Topics from the Psy- sian Revolution, and other topics, and
cholinguistic Perspective; Language, graduate seminars on subjects such as
Culture, and Cognition (Linguistic Effects of L1 Attrition” (The Modern Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Film Adapta-
Relativity); Methodology of Second Language Journal, 2007), “Lost in Be- tions of Russian Literature. In 2007, he
Language Teaching; Introduction to tween: The case of Russian Heritage co-taught a course on Russian opera
Russian Culture; Business Russian, Speakers”, (International Journal of with Dr. Margarita Mazo from the OSU
Practical Pronunciation; 4th Year Rus- Heritage Learners, 2008), “Who is Music School. This course was followed
sian (RU711, Advanced Stylistics),3rd the Superior Speaker? Revisiting the by a study abroad trip to Moscow and
Year Russian (RU560-562), and Lan- OPI guidelines.” (Journal of Russian St. Petersburg, during which students
guage Maintenance. Language, in press). She is currently attended performances of Russian op-
Dr. Isurin has co-edited a volume teaching a new course, Introduction eras, lectures by leading Russian mu-
on Interdisciplinary Approaches to to Russian Linguistics, that is designed sicians, and other cultural events. Dr.
Code-Switching that is currently under as a 5th year Russian course with a Burry is currently teaching an under-
review at John Benjamins Publishing thematic focus on linguistics. In spring graduate course on gambling, dueling,
Company, Amsterdam. The volume is 2009, she will be teaching a seminar and other aristocratic rituals in early
based on the materials of the Interna- on Russian Diaspora that will explore nineteenth-century Russian literature.
tional Conference on Code-Switching different issues related to immigration In Spring 2009, he will be offering an
that she co-organized at OSU in De- from Russia (history of immigration, honors course entitled “Dead Man
cember 2007. She co-authored two integration, identity transformation, Writing: Literary Portrayals of Capital
chapters and the Introduction in the cultural adaptation, and first language Punishment,” which developed out of
book. Among her recent publications changes). a freshman seminar he taught several
is an article “Teachers’ Language: The times in recent years.
Page 5 Faculty Profiles
The Department of Slavic and East
European Languages and Literatures
Brintlinger Translates Derzhavin’s Biography
Dr. Angela Brintlinger is the the ing civic service with poetic inspiration
author of Writing a Usable Past: Rus- and creating an oeuvre that at its es-
sian Literary Culture 1917–1937 and sence celebrated the triumphs of Rus-
co-editor of Madness and the Mad in sia and its rulers, particularly Catherine
Russian Culture. She is also the author the Great. His biographer Khodasevich,
of the first English translation of the by contrast, left Russia in 1922, unable
masterful biography of Derzhavin by to abide the increasingly repressive
another acclaimed Russian man of let- regime of the Soviets. For Khodasev-
ters, Vladislav Khodasevich. Vladislav ich, whose lyric poems were as com-
Khodasevich (1886–1939), called by monplace in their focus as Derzhavin’s
Vladimir Nabokov (in 1939) “the great- odes were grand, this biography was
est Russian poet that the twentieth in a sense a rediscovery of a lost and
century has yet produced,” was also Russian poet, soldier, and states- idyllic era, a period when it was pos-
an outstanding memoirist and biogra- man Gavriil Derzhavin (1743–1816) sible to aspire to the pinnacles of artis-
pher. Khodasevich writes with humor, lived during an epoch of momentous tic achievement while still occupying a
intelligence, and understanding, and change in Russia—imperial expan- central role in Russian society.
his work stands as a monument to the sion, peasant revolts, war with Turkey, Angela Brintlinger’s translation is
last three centuries of Russian history, and struggle with Napoleon—and he appearing through the University of
lending keen insight into Russia’s past served three tsars, including Catherine Wisconsin Press and was published in
as well as its present and future. the Great. Derzhavin occupied a posi- Autumn 2007.
tion at the center of Russian life, unit-
Angela Brintlinger Edits Groundbreaking New Essay Collection
DSEELL professor leads interdisciplinary, international analysis of madness in Russian culture
The problem of madness has pre- ciologists, cultural theorists, and phi-
occupied Russian thinkers since the losophers—to understand the rich
beginning of Russia’s troubled history history of madness, from the political,
and has been dealt with repeatedly in literary, and cultural spheres of Rus-
literature, art, film, and opera, as well sia. Editors Angela Brintlinger and Ilya
as in medical, political, and philosoph- Vinitsky have brought together essays
ical essays. Madness has been treated that cover over 250 years and address
not only as a medical or psychological a wide variety of ideas related to mad-
matter, but also as a metaphysical one, ness—from the involvement of state
encompassing problems of suffering, and social structures in questions of
imagination, history, sex, social and mental health, to the attitudes of ma-
world order, evil, retribution, death, jor Russian authors and cultural fig-
and the afterlife. ures towards insanity and how those
Madness and the Mad in Russian attitudes both shape and are shaped
Culture represents a joint effort by by the history, culture, and politics of
American, British, and Russian schol- Russia.
ars—historians, literary scholars, so-
Page 6 Faculty Profiles
The Department of Slavic and East
European Languages and Literatures
Brian Joseph, Kenneth E. Naylor Professor of South Slavic Linguistics
The Department of Slavic and East teaches every other year here at Ohio
European Languages and Literatures State.
extends its warmest congratulations to Joseph’s role in the Slavic Depart-
Dr. Brian Joseph, who was awarded an ment as Naylor Professor has enabled
honorary Doctorate by the University him to teach classes on the languages
of Patras, Greece, on March 31, 2008. of the Balkans and their historical de-
He delivered an address to those as- velopment and synchronic structure.
sembled for the ceremony, speaking Professor Joseph is author, co-author
(in Greek) on reasons why Greek can or coeditor of some 20 books and spe-
be judged to be a major language of cial issues of journals, in addition to
the world. having written around 200 articles and
Congratulating Dr. Joseph on some 100 reviews and notes. He currently
award or honor has become a matter also serves as editor of Language,
of habit in DSEELL, since he receives so the journal of the Linguistic Society of
many of them. Going back in time, we Dr. Joseph holds a 70% appoint- America.
congratulated him last year for having ment in the OSU Linguistics Depart- A current project of Dr. Joseph’s is
been inducted (in 2007) as a Fellow ment, which he joined in 1979 and this: in the summer of 2009, DSEELL
of the American Association for the chaired from 1987-1997. He also has a will offer a special Albanological Insti-
Advancement of Science (AAAS), an 30% appointment in DSEELL, where he tute. He will teach a four-week course
international organization founded in has held the post of Kenneth E. Nay- offering an introduction to Albanian
1848, and “dedicated to advancing sci- lor Professor of South Slavic Linguistics linguistics and Matthew Curtis will, in
ence around the world by serving as since 1997. Brian Joseph was named a the same four weeks, offer a class on
an educator, leader, spokesperson and Distinguished University Professor in conversational Albanian. After those
professional organization.” 2003 and was recognized for his work classes, in the last two weeks of Au-
In addition, Dr. Joseph received an in historical linguistics, where he has gust, they will lead a group to Prishtina
honorary degree in 2006 from La Trobe focused especially on the languages of in Kosovo, so that students can attend
University in Melbourne, Australia, the Balkans and Southeastern Europe, the Albanian Summer Seminar offered
where the citation noted his work in including Albanian, Bulgarian, Greek, by the University of Prishtina, covering
historical linguistics, studying the way Macedonian and Romanian, with par- Alabanian language and culture. For
language changes over time, and his ticular attention to the interactions further information contact: Brian Jo-
work on the history of the Greek lan- among these languages over the past seph (joseph.1@osu.edu).
guage. 500 years. He works on other languag-
es as well, including Sanskrit, which he
Suchland continued from page 3: do mean in their cultural specificity. tion of Cold War geopolitics in much
Jennifer is working on a manu- feminist scholarship. As a result of this
In her graduate work, Jennifer script (tentatively) entitled, Unclaimed geopolitics, she argues, Eurasia often is
explored the legal roots of Russia’s Rights: The Politics of Gender in Post- collapsed into the ‘new Europe’ or not
sexual harassment law and analyzed socialist Russia, in which she advances seen at all—with the sole exception of
how indigenous norms regarding the transnational feminist thinking to- sex trafficking, which is picked-up by
recognition of discrimination and sex- wards a comparative study of gender. transnational feminist discourses.
ual difference are in tension with cur- Jennifer is also working on the is- Her future work will focus on the
rent interpretations by gender analysts sue of the place of Eurasia in transna- intersections and tensions between
and social activists. Any assessment tional feminist research. She is cur- post-colonialism and post-socialism.
of democracy, women’s rights, or de- rently writing an article (“Finding Eur- The research will focus on the gen-
velopment, she argued, would have to asia in Transnational Feminist Think- dered, ethnic, and sexual specificity of
include a normative understanding of ing”) where she argues that this elision HIV/AIDS activism and politics in Eur-
what such categories have meant and is partially due to a continued assump- asia.
Page 7 Faculty Profiles
The Department of Slavic and East
European Languages and Literatures
Yana Hashamova Begins New Book Project
The year 2007 was and documentaries in and her Committee worked on fur-
eventful for Dr. Yana Eastern Europe (and ther improving the quality of the un-
Hashamova—she was in the West) reflects dergraduate major. In order to secure
tenured as Associ- a better understand- a well-rounded education in Russian
ate Professor and her ing of filmmakers of language, literature and culture, it is
book Pride and Panic: the problems, as well planned to increase the credit hours
Russian Imagination of as a broader public from 45 to 50, offering clusters of
the West in Post-Soviet interest in their more courses that will contribute to the stu-
Film was published nuanced representa- dents’ language and literature-culture
by the Bristol-based tion. All these films, proficiencies. These changes are to be
Intellect Press (dis- however, invite closer finalized in a near future. For Dr. Ha-
tributed in the U.S. by scrutiny, for the repre- shamova’s trip to Bulgaria and confer-
University of Chicago sentation of trafficking ence participation, see Faculty, Staff
Press). Helena Gos- and its violence can and Student News.
cilo, Professor of Slavic be as perilous as it is
Languages and Literatures at the Uni- helpful in addressing this twenty-first
versity of Pittsburgh writes about the century Holocaust.
book: “Lucid and eminently accessible, For the last two years the U.S. gov-
DSEELL would like to con-
Pride and Panic differs from other stud- ernment has initiated a film outreach gratulate Dr. Hashamova, who
ies of contemporary film in its theo- campaign; U.S. embassies around the has been appointed as the new
retical framework, which incorporates world organize screenings of traffick- Director of the Center for Slav-
psychoanalysis, gender, and concepts ing films for local audiences. However, ic and East European Studies.
of alterity and community to analyze prevention and awareness campaigns
Russia’s post-Soviet embattled cine- have often chosen films with question-
matic reconstruction of masculine and able qualities, films that can turn away
national identity. An absorbing “read,” viewers rather than evoking empathy
the book pursues its argument of com- and transformation, calling for action.
prehensive politico-social trauma with In studying film representations of traf-
consistency and conviction.” ficking and particularly the way trau-
Her current book project, tenta- matic films mark the viewer, Dr. Ha-
tively entitled Film Representations of shamova’s research question is: how
Trafficking, attempts a comprehensive does film aesthetics create the viewer
picture of trafficking in Eastern Eu- as “witness” who is open to transfor-
rope, reading its film representations mation and action, and how do cin-
as discursive formations of the fanta- ematic properties invite suspicion and
sies, fears and traumas caused by the disbelief. In exploring the effectiveness
region’s political, social, and cultural of film representations of trafficking,
realities. Her analysis of specific films she employs a two-fold approach.
addresses important issues of the fic- First, she tests public responses to traf- Questions? Comments?
tional reproduction of aggression and ficking films and second, she analyzes Would you prefer to receive future
how/if these films avoid reproducing the content and cinematic properties
issues of our newsletter electroni-
the spectacle of violence. More impor- of selected films probing the empathy
cally? Do you have suggestions for
tantly, she points out the differences response that they generate. In April
between reality, myths, and fantasies 2008, Dr. Hashamova received an IREX stories?
about trafficking as it is shown on Short Term Grant for this project. Please drop us a line at:
screen. The noticeable increase in the As Chair of the Undergraduate
production of feature films, TV dramas, Studies Committee, Dr. Hashamova slavicdept@osu.edu
Page 8
The
Colleague From and East
OurDepartment of SlavicLinguistics
European Languages and Literatures
Professor Emeritus Ilse Lehiste
Professor Ilse Lehiste, once a methods, especially those with
member of our Department (1963- a relatively small number of
1965), then founder of the Depart- speakers.
ment of Linguistics (in 1965) and Dr. Lehiste’s academic ca-
its Chair (1965-1971, 1984-87), reer can only be called illustri-
is—among many other specializa- ous. Her list of honors, fellow-
tions—a scholar of South-Slavic ships and other awards is long
Linguistics and author of Accent indeed; here we will only men-
in Serbocroatian. An Experimental tion her latest one. On October
Study (1963) and Word and Sen- 22nd, 2008, she received a di-
tence Prosody in Serbocroatian ploma that signified her election
(1986). She is also an expert on (as Foreign Member) to the Es-
language change and language contact A frequent visitor to post-Soviet tonian Academy of Arts and Sciences.
(Lectures on Language Contact, 1988). Estonia, Professor Lehiste has main- We are proud of the fact that Professor
In recent years, she has been conduct- tained lively contacts with leading lin- Emeritus Ilse Lehiste has been associ-
ing extensive research on the prosody guists there; she has also set up a study ated with us, and we are happy for her
of her native Estonian and other Finno- group that, following her guidelines, that a time has come when the Esto-
Ugric languages. Among her recent ti- will examine the prosodic structure of nian Academy of Arts and Sciences can
tles are Meadow Mari Prosody (2005) FU languages that have not been in- freely recognize illustrious Estonians
and Livonian Prosody (2008). vestigated by experimental phonetic who once had to leave their native
land.
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Video Conference
Temenuzhka Seizova-Nankova, Asso- On December 3, one section of Zoran Panjak had formerly worked
ciate Professor at Konstantin Preslavski Russian 135 engaged in a video confer- as an EFL teacher. Discussions ranged
University in Shumen, Bulgaria is cur- ence in 145 Hagerty Hall with a group from the global economy and world
rently a Fulbright Visiting Scholar in of students in Saint-Petersburg, Rus- politics to leisure activities, music, film
the Department of Slavic and East Eu- sia. This cultural exchange allowed and foods.
ropean Languages and Literatures here OSU students to swap questions with Students were asked to submit
at OSU. Her sponsor/mentor/adviser a group of students at EF English First, questions beforehand which related
here is Brian Joseph, Professor of Lin- an English language school located on to the course curriculum, how Russian
guistics and Kenneth E. Naylor Profes- Nevsky Prospekt where section leader culture has evolved, and to explore the
sor of South Slavic Linguistics. Her pro- ways in which those trends may have
gram at OSU, running from September main areas of interest and related in influenced contemporary Russian so-
8 (2008) until February one way or another to ciety. Recurring themes in the ques-
8 (2009), includes both her research project. tions asked by OSU students included
research and teach- She is also taking ad- the class system in modern day Russia,
ing. In terms of her vantage of the Univer- gender roles, and the roles of President
research, she is con- sity library and all oth- Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin in
centrating mainly on a er available resources, their administration of foreign policy.
comparative study of and is familiarizing Also of great interest were the ways in
English and Bulgarian herself with the US which Russians in Saint-Petersburg had
with regard to reflexiv- higher education sys- fun and blew off steam from their day
ity and the expression tem, US traditions, and to day routines.
of possession, but she U.S. culture. Finally, The Russian students were pleased
has also been participating in classes she is teaching a Bulgarian conversa- at the opportunity to practice their
and in various discussion groups in tion class, in which the Bulgarian way English with native speakers of the lan-
both the Slavic and the Linguistics of life, Bulgarian traditions and Bulgar- guage, and were particularly interest-
Departments, all connected with her ian culture are topics of discussion. Continued on page 10
Page 9 Study Abroad Programs
The Department of Slavic and East
European Languages and Literatures
Tomsk Language Program already in its 6th Year
Program popular among students is growing at a fast pace
Since the best way to learn a lan- mid-June and two days
guage is in a country where it is spoken, there before their return
DSEELL naturally encourages students to the U.S. in early Au-
to participate in study abroad. One such gust. Activities in Mos-
opportunity offered by OSU is the Inten- cow include visits to the
sive Russian Language and Culture Pro- Kremlin, St. Basil’s, the
gram at Tomsk State University (TSU), Tretyakov Gallery and
the oldest university in Siberia and one the WWII museum; stu-
of the oldest in Russia. dents also take a scenic
The program was established in cruise on the Moscow
2004 by OSU and Tomsk State, specifi- River, visit the circus,
cally for OSU students. Each participant and shop for souvenirs
lives with a host family; a “buddy” from in Izmailovsky Park.
each family helps the student adjust to The OSU group also
life in Russia. For many students, their goes on excursions every
host family is their favorite memory of Saturday and on some weekdays. These The program has expanded since its
the trip. The students also have ideal excursions vary from year to year; past inception. It has grown from six partici-
instructional situations with small class Saturday excursions included a day trip pants in 2004 to an anticipated seven-
sizes and teachers from Tomsk State, to Novosibirsk. This year, the group is teen in 2009, as it was reduced to seven
all of whom have previous experience planning on visiting Krasnoyarsk. The weeks of instruction. It now includes
teaching Russian to international stu- students also have ample time to enjoy two levels of instruction. The Tomsk
dents. In addition to excellent instruc- activities with their host buddies, such program offers OSU students a chance
tion, the students are also able to take as attending the circus, shopping at the not only to improve their Russian, but
advantage of the location and the op- outdoor markets, and attending a soc- to get out of the main cities and explore
portunity to travel in Russia. They spend cer game and rooting for the local team. a culturally and historically rich area of
three days in Moscow upon arrival in Russia.
Modern Russian Culture Trip to Moscow
The Department of Slavic and East This program was established
European Languages and Literatures and is directed by CSEES Di-
is offering a short-term study abroad rector Yana Hashamova, with
program to Moscow, with a focus on CSEES continuing to support
modern Russian culture and society. with staffing and funds. The
program will
take place after
Spring Quarter
of 2009, from
June 23 to July
5, and students
will experience
everyday life
and visit sites of major Russian Culture) and maintain a GPA of
artistic, cultural, and at least 2.7. Students will also receive 8
historical importance. credit hours of Russian 697 after com-
In order to be eligible, pletion of the trip.
students must complete For more information, contact Susan
Russian 235 (Modern Vdovichenko (vdovichenko.1@osu.edu).
Page 10 Study Abroad Programs
The Department of Slavic and East
European Languages and Literatures
DSEELL Takes Students to Olomouc, Czech Republic
Summer study-abroad program offers the opportunity to improve Czech language skills
This four-week pro- dramatically in recent
gram suits a variety of years, the number of op-
needs and interests, with tions has also increased.
courses offered at lev- Students have also been
els from beginner to ad- able to take advantage
vanced and cultural ac- of fully paid visits to local
tivities such as weekend cultural events and sights
excursions and weekday on weekday afternoons
visits to local points of in- and evenings.
terest. Participants from The seven OSU stu-
OSU typically include dents who travelled to
both undergraduate and Olomouc in the summer of
graduate students, both of Czech and boasts a historic Renaissance town hall 2006 were fortunate to be able to cel-
non-Czech heritage, who attend the and numerous churches, fountains, ebrate the 20th anniversary of Palacky
courses in order to acquire Czech for and statues of various historical ep- University’s Summer School. To com-
research, business, or just personal in- ochs, including the baroque Holy Trin- memorate this occasion, the school
terest. ity Column on the town’s main square, offered a number of special events for
From the Czech side, the program placed on the UNESCO List of World the students. The progam included
is administered as the Summer School Cultural Heritage in 2001. an evening of interactive folk music
of Slavonic Studies (Letní Škola Slovan- SSSL’s cultural offerings include and dance at which a famed local cim-
ských Studii or SSSL) by the Palacký sight-seeing excursions to points of balom band performed and gave folk
University Department of Slavic Lan- interest in Moravia on the first and dancing lessons, an extended film and
guages. Entering students complete third weekends of the program, plus lecture series, and even a tour of Radio
placement exams and are then as- a second (or middle) weekend in Hity, Olomouc’s radio station. After
signed to appropriate levels; the Sum- Prague, which includes lodging and all- twenty years, Palacky University looks
mer School now offers roughly seven expense-paid tours and visits to mu- forward to the continued success of its
to eight levels of instruction. Partici- seums, architectural landmarks, and Summer School of Slavonic Languages,
pants have in-class instruction for four other major tourist attractions, such and OSU students look forward to the
hours a day and have the opportunity as Prague Castle and Jewish Town. As unique opportunities and experiences
to attend additional hours of Czech the number of participants has grown attending the summer school unfail-
conversation each afternoon. ingly provides.
At lower levels of proficiency, stu-
Video Conference continued from page 8: can cultures in the United States, and
dents may receive instruction in Eng-
lish or German. Participating students American views of our culture as ob-
come from a wide range of countries, ed to learn about reactions to the re- served from the international stage.
with the single best-represented coun- cent victory of President-Elect Barack During the course of the one hour
try being the United States in recent Obama. OSU students also fielded long discussion, students on both
years, but otherwise dominated by Eu- questions regarding leisure activities in ends shared a number of laughs, and
ropean students. Japanese students America, the influences of non-Ameri- displayed a genuine interest in one
also form a substantial contingent, another’s lives. They
and the program has also boasted stu- learned that, aside
dents from such wide-ranging coun- from some of the po-
tries as Bangladesh, China, Mexico and litical and social as-
Mongolia. pects that were dis-
The site, Olomouc, is a town with cussed, they had quite
roughly 100,000 inhabitants. The his- a bit in common, and
torical capital of Northern Moravia, that modern day Rus-
it is also widely considered to be the sians and Americans
second most important city in the have become quite
Czech Republic after Prague, in terms similar in our global-
of history and architecture. Olomouc ized community.
The Department of Slavic and East
Page 11
European Languages and Literatures
Delic continued from page 2: One of his latest exciting projects is “reign” majors and minors enrolling
the organization of a unique Albanian in Slavic and East European increased
and Language for a book project. For Summer Seminar involving a study visit to previously unheard-of numbers (to
details of her recent publications and to Prishtina, Kosovo. More information give an idea: in 2000, the Department
conference activities, see page 4. on Dr. Joseph’s manifold activities is to had 18 majors, in 2008–98). When I
Likewise, not quite a newcomer be found inside the Newsletter. tell colleagues in other departments
is Dr. Alexander Burry who joined Dr. Brintlinger, our current Gradu- of our enrollments, they cannot be-
us in 2004, but has not had his aca- ate Studies Committee Chair, has add- lieve that such numbers are possible.
demic profile presented in any detail ed many new feathers to her already They are real in our Department how-
in our Newsletter yet. Dr. Burry has a richly adorned cap. Her recent book ever, where Dr. Collins by some kind of
broad research perspective and fa- publications are presented in detail magic in which full attention to each
vors interdisciplinary and cross-media inside the Newsletter, as is her confer- individual plays a major role, has at-
approaches. His contribution to Dos- ence “Beyond Little Vera,” the contri- tracted so many students to come to
toevsky research, especially his study butions to which have become a vol- us. He may have learned something
of transpositions of Dostoevsky texts ume in the series Ohio Slavic Papers. about magic from his unique course on
to other media, has attracted wide at- Her earlier book, Writing a Usable the Vampire in Slavic Cultures, which
tention. His new honors course (Slavic Past, has just appeared in paperback, has attracted so many students for so
H 584) Dead Man Writing: Literary testifying to its popularity. In addition many years and hopefully also will be
Representation of Capital Punishment she was invited by the Eikhenbaum so- turned into a book now that Dr. Col-
is yet another exciting contribution to ciety at RGGU, Moscow, and attended a lins should have a bit more time for
our Honors course offerings. To find conference on Chekhov in Yalta. More himself. Dr. Collins himself takes great
out more about Dr. Burry’s career be- details about Dr. Brintlinger’s manifold pride in having made excellent hires
fore and after he joined us, see page 4. activities, attracting considerable at- and in a graduate program that has
The faculty that have been with tention from the Slavist community, reached an exceptionally high quality,
the Department for some time have can be learned inside the Newsletter. and no one would dispute the validity
also been very active with an impres- It has likewise been a year of in- of these claims. For his recent activities
sive array of outstanding achieve- tense activities for our new Director in Novgorodian archeological excava-
ments. Professor Charles Gribble add- of the Center for Slavic and East Eu- tions, in the Medieval Slavic Summer
ed yet another award to his illustrious ropean Studies, Dr. Yana Hashamova. Institute (2008), and other activities,
career, receiving the prestigious ASC Congratulations on your Directorship, such as the book sale for the benefit of
Harlan Hatcher Memorial Award for Yana, which is bound to bring our out- the Talvi Fund, see the reports inside
Excellence, given to faculty “who have standing Center to new peaks of great the Newsletter.
developed a noteworthy profile of dis- accomplishments. Dr. Hashamova pub- Last, but not least, we are happy to
tinguished, sustained and balanced lished her well-received Pride and Pan- see Dr. Temenuzhka Seizova-Nankova,
achievements in the areas of teaching, ic devoted to Russian film, is immersed Associate Professor at Konstantin Pre-
research, and service and who serve in another book project, organized nu- slavski University in Shumen, Bulgaria
as role models for both younger col- merous conferences with themes such in our midst. She is a Fulbright Scholar
leagues and students.” You can learn as “Balkan War Rapes” and “Trafficking currently visiting in the Department of
more about Dr. Gribble’s numerous in People,” was part of the 2008 AAASS Slavic and East European Languages
achievements on the opening page of Plenary Session and taught a course on and Literatures, staying with us until
our Newsletter. Bulgarian culture, taking the students February 2009. For details of her re-
Professor Brian Joseph, our Ken- —OSU International Scholars—on a search interests and other activities
neth E. Naylor Professor whom we study tour to Bulgaria. The readers here, see page 8.
have the honor of sharing with Linguis- may learn more about her many highly Not only faculty have distinguished
tics, as usual had a year of incredible successful initiatives inside the News- themselves, so have our students: we
accomplishments, many conference letter. have three new Ph.D. degrees to re-
trips to diverse destinations and many I would like to thank the previous port and two passed Candidacy exami-
awards, the most recent being an hon- Department Chair, Professor Daniel nations. We congratulate Dr. Andrei
orary doctorate by the University of Collins, for his eight years of dedicated Cretu, Dr. Yevgeniya Tyurikova and Dr.
Patras, in Greece, on March 31, 2008. service to the Department. During his Continued on page 12
The Department of Slavic and East
Page 12
European Languages and Literatures
Gribble continued from page 1 because of their specialization, were People’s Republic of Bulgaria” (1985);
not considered marketable by large a Jubilee Medal from the Bulgarian
Russian Word Formation and Reading university presses. As its leader, Dr. Academy of Sciences (1986); a Jubilee
Bulgarian Through Russian: A Short Gribble personally edited some 250 Badge of Honor from Sofia University
Dictionary of 18th-Century Russian, the books and over 60 journal issues; thus (1988); and a Certificate of Commen-
only complete dictionary of that period he has had a huge impact on the work dation from the Bulgarian Academy of
of the language in existence; and the of other scholars and, in general, on Sciences for his scholarly, pedagogi-
only chrestomathy of Old Russian texts the profile of Slavic Studies in the U.S. cal, and organizational contributions
published in the West. In addition, he and Canada. His excellence as editor to Bulgarian Studies (2003). In May
has been exceptionally active as an was one of the major reasons why the 2006, we learned that he has been
editor, with six edited or co-edited American Association of Teachers of honored with the Marin Drinov Award
volumes to his name. Dr. Gribble also Slavic and East European Languages, by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences;
served as editor-in-chief of the journal the major professional organization this is the Academy’s highest honor—
Folia Slavica from 1977–1988, and he in our field, presented him with its the equivalent of an honorary degree,
continues to serve as a member of the Award for Distinguished Contribu- which is seldom given to foreigners.
editorial board of Palaeobulgarica, the tion to the Profession in 1992, follow- It is important also to bear in mind
premiere journal of Medieval Slavic ing a Special Commendation in 1986. the immense contributions Dr. Grib-
Studies, published by the Bulgarian Dr. Gribble has worked especially ble has made to the Department. He
Academy of Sciences. Finally, he has hard to promote Bulgarian Studies in served as Chair from 1990–1996, dur-
published 27 articles, 19 reviews, and North America not only through his ing a difficult period in the program’s
14 co-authored volumes of Individual- publications and editorial work but history. Since then, he has worked
ized Instruction curricular materials. also through his teaching and service. diligently in departmental service and,
The Slavic field was profoundly He served as president of the Bulgar- in particular, was our Graduate Studies
impacted through Dr. Gribble’s leader- ian Studies Association from 2001– Chair for over five years. Besides skill-
ship of Slavica Publishers, Inc., which he 2003 and, during that time, co-orga- fully performing the routine duties of
founded in 1966, and edited through nized the organization’s conference, the Graduate Studies Chair, Dr. Gribble
1997. During his editorship, Slavica was which was held in Columbus. He is has been instrumental in designing
the largest venue for Slavic publica- well known in Bulgarian scholarly cir- and implementing several curricular
tions in the Western Hemisphere. The cles, has been interviewed in a popular reforms and is currently at work on a
firm operated on a “break-even” rath- newspaper, and has received several redesign of our M.A. Reading List in
er than profit basis and published high- honors from Bulgarian institutions: a Slavic Linguistics. We are very grate-
quality textbooks and monographs on Jubilee Medal from the Bulgarian Em- ful for the depth of his concern for the
literature, folklore, and linguistics that, bassy for “contributing to expanding Department and its students.
relations between the USA and the
Delic continued from page 11: development fund—the Uprka-Laga- paraitis, Olga Kolenko, Shawn Mellor
Schweitzer Fund —to further studies and Charity Myers. I wish especially to
Miriam Whiting. in Czech language and culture. We thank Linda Milbourne for her exten-
We are very pleased to welcome are deeply grateful for her marvel- sive contribution to this Newsletter.
our new graduate students: Daniel Da- ous boost to Czech Studies. You’ll find I wish us all a SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR
vidson, Anastasia Kostetskaya, David more information on Ms. Schweitzer 2009. May it bring us much exciting
McVey, Zoran Panjak, Jeffrey Parker, on page 15. news to put into the next Newsletter.
and Shelley Price, and we hope that Finally, I would like to thank our
they feel at home in our Department. fine staff, Fiscal Manager Linda Mil-
The Department would like to bourne and Graduate Studies Coordi-
acknowledge the exceptionally gen- nator Karen Nielsen for their making it
erous donation given to Czech Stud- easy for a Chair to be a Chair. Greatly
ies by Ohio State alumna Sharon M. appreciated are also our fine front desk
Schweitzer. She has established a students: Kenney Hensley, Tomas Kas-
Page 13 and Student News
Faculty, Staff, of SlavicLiteratures
The Department
European Languages and
and East
Maria Alley coauthored Animation for Maria Alley also was the organizing (volume 8-9, 2007, Slavica); Editor,
Russian Conversation (2008), a text- force behind the Spring Olympiada. On Ohio Slavic Papers, volume 7 (Beyond
book that features language teach- March 7, 2008, the DSEELL with gener- Little Vera: Women’s Bodies, Women’s
ing materials from some of the best- ous support from the Center for Slavic Welfare in Russia and Central/ Eastern
known Russian works of animation: and East European Studies hosted the Europe, 2008).
Cheburashka, Karlson, the Hedgehog, 2008 Ohio High School Olympiada of
Daniel E. Collins, Brian Joseph, and
and Winnie-the-Pooh (in his Russian Spoken Russian. The Olympiada com-
Andrea Sims organized the Third An-
incarnation, Vinni Pukh). They are petition is organized and funded by the
nual Meeting of the Slavic Linguistics
known and loved by many Russians, American Councils of Teachers of Rus-
Society at OSU in June of 2008. Over
and should be considered a significant sian. It is the oldest of all the American
eighty papers were presented by
part of Russian culture. Councils’ secondary school activities
scholars from the U.S. and Europe, in-
While the importance of Russian dating back to the 1960s. In this com-
cluding several by OSU graduate stu-
directors and films has long been ac- petition, which is largely based on the
dents in DSEELL. The conference was
knowledged, Russian animation also long existing tradition of oral examina-
judged to be a huge success by all in
was created by some of the finest tal- tions and competitions in the Russian
attendance. Support for the confer-
ents of the land, is of a high artistic lev- educational system, Ohio high school
ence was provided by the College of
el, and is certainly not just for children. students have an opportunity to test
Humanities, the Center for Slavic and
Three authors have collaborated to their knowledge of Russian and meet
East European Studies, and various de-
create Animation for Russian Conver- other students of Russian throughout
partments on campus.
sation: Jason Merrill (Michigan State the state.
University), Julia Mikhailova (Univer- Twenty-one students from Start Daniel E. Collins is currently working
sity of Toronto, an OSU Ph.D.) and Ma- High school in Toledo, OH, competed on a book entitled Voices on Birchbark:
ria Alley (Ohio State). The majority of in this year’s event. This year’s winner, Language and Society in the Medieval
the exercises presented in this collec- Andrea Reany, traveled to Vladimir, Russian Northwest, co-authored by Jos
tion are intended for Russian students Russia, on a study abroad program, Schaeken of University of Leiden, the
of the Novice High to Intermediate along with the finalists from other US Netherlands. In summer 2007, with
Mid levels according to ACTFL guide- regions who participated in Olympiada support from the Department, College
lines, with some additional activities this year. Ms. Alley thanks all volunteer of Humanities, and Netherlands Insti-
designed for more advanced learners. participants of this year’s Olympiada! tute in St. Petersburg, Dr. Collins made
But hopefully the book will be of use It was, by all accounts, a successful and a research visit to Novgorod, Russia,
to anyone interested in learning the enjoyable event for both the students to work with his co-author. Capital of
language while working with authentic and organizers. a vast “merchant republic” in north-
Russian materials. western Russia prior to its annexation
Angela Brintlinger was, in April, 2008,
by Muscovy in 1478, the city, called
invited by the Eikhenbaum Seminar at
Lord Novgorod the Great, possesses an
the Russian State University of the Hu-
abundance of well-preserved medieval
manities (RGGU, Moscow), where she
sites, including its own Kremlin and
gave a talk entitled: “Russian Literary
dozens of churches and monasteries.
Biographies and Writing a Usable Past”
In addition to these aboveground trea-
(in Russian). From there she proceed-
sures, Novgorod offers continual dis-
ed to the Chekhov conference, The
coveries for archeologists, historians,
World of Chekhov: Mode, Ritual, Myth,
and linguists in annual summer excava-
Yalta, Ukraine, and gave another talk
tions. Its moist, clay-rich soil provides
entitled: “A New and Glorious Chek-
perfect conditions for the preservation
hov: The Americanization of Chek-
of wooden artifacts and letters writ-
hov’s Story ‘Lady with a Pet Dog’ by
ten on birchbark, which document the
Michelle Herman” (in Russian).” She is
everyday transactions of the city’s me-
planning a grandiose Chekhov confer-
dieval inhabitants—ranging from mar-
ence for 2010 at OSU, to celebrate the
riage proposals to creditors’ threats
150th birthday of the writer. Additional
achievements: Editor, Pushkin Review Continued on page 14
The Department of Slavic and East
Page 14
European Languages Student News
Faculty, Staff, andand Literatures
News continued from page 13: participated in the workshop, including Europe?” - Roundtable, AAASS, Phila-
a postdoctoral scholar from University delphia, November 20-23,20 08.
and from tax receipts to military intel- of Madrid; a lecturer from the Warsaw Invited Talks:
ligence. Christian Theological Academy; gradu-
“Trafficking in People: A Gender Per-
While in Novgorod, Dr. Collins was ate students from Stanford University,
spective” Symposium on Gender Vio-
able to consult with prominent Russian Central European University, Univer-
lence, Saint Mary’s College, October 2,
scholars such as Aleksei Gippius of the sity of Madrid, and the Ohio State de-
2008.
Russian Academy of Sciences, Elena partments of History and Linguistics;
AAASS-Presidential Plenary Session:
Rybina, head of the Novgorod Archeo- and the Slavic Department’s own Mat-
“Revisiting The Gender Question:
logical Expedition, and Valentin Yanin, thew Curtis, Spencer Robinson, Lau-
Scholarship, Exchange, Experience” -
the foremost Russian expert on me- ren Ressue, and Daria Safronova. The
Roundtable, Philadelphia, November
dieval Novgorod. With the help of Dr. participants learned how to conduct
20-23, 2008
Gippius, he gained access to numerous original research on medieval Slavic
Invited Participation in the Kenyon Col-
medieval sites not open to the public. manuscripts under the guidance of Dr.
lege Workshop: Film Studies Teachers
He also got his hands dirty (quite lit- Matejic and gave their final presenta-
Teach Teachers, December 3-4, 2008.
erally) digging for relics at the Trinity tions on previously undescribed and
uncatalogued “mystery” manuscripts; Brian D. Joseph, the Kenneth E. Naylor
in addition, they improved their close Professor of South Slavic Linguistics, at-
reading and analytic skills by working tended conferences in Eastern Europe,
with other manuscripts in the collec- speaking at a conference in Belgrade in
tions of the Hilandar Research Library early September 2008 celebrating the
under the guidance of Dr. Collins. The 200th anniversary of the founding of
participants rested from their labors the University of Belgrade and another
with bicycle rides, a trip to the Colum- in St. Petersburg later in the month
bus Zoo, dinners on the town, and a celebrating the 20th anniversary of the
Fourth of July Picnic at the home of founding the Modern Greek and Alba-
Daniel and Seleen Collins. nian Studies Program at the University
of St. Petersburg. For his “Profile,” see
In winter 2008, Dr. Hashamova taught
page 6!
Slavic 245F, Introduction to Bulgarian
Culture, to 72 International Scholars Irene Masing-Delic published her ar-
and during the spring break led the ticle “Boris Pilnyak’s The Volga Falls to
students to a study abroad in Bulgaria. the Caspian Sea as Trotskyite Sophiol-
Excitingly intensive, the trip went very ogy” in SEEJ, 52: 3, 2008. Her recent
smoothly due to the brilliant organi- interest in the writer led her to the
Excavations. While he did not unearth city of Kolomna, 120 kilometers east of
zational skills of Debra Bermann from
anything beyond an eleventh-centu- Moscow, where Pilnyak lived for many
the Office of International Affairs. Dr.
ry chicken bone, he gained detailed years (his house is preserved). Its Old
Hashamova and the students greatly
knowledge of the workings of the Ar- City has a great deal of medieval ar-
benefited from the able assistance of
cheological Expedition—from sifting chitecture, such as a well-preserved
six Resident Directors who participat-
through the soil to flattening out and Kremlin (with its famous Marinkina
ed in the study abroad, as well as Dr.
deciphering a newly discovered birch- bashnia, where Marina Mnishek, Pol-
Collins and Elizabeth Angerman. Now,
bark letter—which will be of great val- ish wife of the pretender Dmitrii lan-
a good number of these students are
ue in the preparation of his book. guished for some years). Pilnyak called
taking our Russian 101.
In June and July 2008, Daniel Collins Conference Participation: the city the “Russian Bruegge.” Dr.
and Predrag Matejic (curator of the Delic participated in the biannual con-
“Balkan War Rapes: A Challenge to
Hilandar Research Library) led the fifth ference Pil’niakovskie chteniia, led by
Western Feminism” at Transnation-
biennial Medieval Slavic Summer In- Professor Aleksandr Petrovich Auer,
al Dialogues: De-centering the Aca-
stitute, sponsored by the Department who started these, and she also taught
demic Debate on Global Feminism, Ke-
and the Resource Center for Medieval a “mini-course” on Nabokov’s Pnin and
nyon College, September 26-28, 2008.
Slavic Studies. Fourteen junior scholars
“Is there a Feminist Press in Eastern Continued on page 16
The Department of Slavic and East
Page 15 Generous Donation
European Languages and Literatures
OSU Alum Establishes Fund to Support DSEELL Czech Studies
Proud Czech-American Sharon Schweitzer provides a boost to an already strong program
Ohio State alumna Sharon M. Sch- Corporate Etiquette and International with several Ohio State students dur-
weitzer has established a development Protocol Consultant and as a Children’s ing their participation in the Intensive
fund to further Czech studies in the Etiquette Consultant. She is also au- Czech Language Summer Program at
Department of Slavic and East Europe- thor of the book Age Discrimination Is- Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech
an Languages and Literatures (DSEELL). sues for Baby Boomers: Are You Ready? Republic. This trip provided Schweitzer
Ms. Schweitzer en- Currently, Schweitzer the opportunity to learn more about
dowed The Uprka- is the President of the Jozef and Jan Uprka, Sister Alzbeta
Laga-Schweitzer Fund Protocol Center of Uprka, and sculptor Frantisek Uprka,
in Czech Studies. The Texas in Austin, Texas. all ancestors of Sharon on her moth-
fund has been primar- Ms. Schweitzer’s er’s side.
ily set up to provide mother, Evelyn Mary During the summer of 2007, Ms.
undergraduate stu- Laga Schweitzer, grew Schweitzer taught classes at Charles
dents with scholar- up in a Czech com- University in Prague, Czech Repulbic.
ships in order to help munity in Nebraska Ms. Schweitzer is extremely proud
them study Czech and speaks fluent of her Czech heritage and is thrilled
language and culture. Czech. She is one that Ohio State has one of the largest
The scholarship mon- of eight children of Slavic and East European Languages
ey will be used espe- Czech parents and and Literatures programs in the United
cially to support those can also boast great States.
students participating uncles of renown—
in OSU’s Summer Lan- Jozef, or “Joža”, Uprka
guage Program, con- (1861-1940), an artist
ducted each year at František Palacký known for his paintings and drawings
University in Olomouc, Czech Republic. on Bohemian, Moravian and Slovak
Ms. Schweitzer is a 1984 gradu- folk motifs (see insert) and his brother
ate of The Ohio State University with František, a sculptor.
a B.A. in Sociology and Criminology. Ms. Schweitzer is interested in re-
Ms. Schweitzer then spent the sum- searching her genealogy in the Czech
mer of 1984 on an OSU Summer Study Republic, with her parents and Czech
Pre-Law Program at Oxford University relatives. She says their efforts have
before enrolling in the South Texas proven the family lore on Uprka to
College of Law. She studied law on an be true, and she can trace her lineage
Advocacy Scholarship and received her back to the 17th century. Other goals
J.D. in 1989. Presently, she is a Labor of Ms. Schweitzer include renovating
and Employment attorney, with board the Uprka Villa in Hroznová Lhota, the
certification in Texas. She is admit- artist’s birthplace in Southern Mora-
A book on Jozef Uprka,
ted to practice before the U.S. District via, and the establishment of an Uprka
Court for the Eastern, Western, North- Museum in Prague. There is currently Schweitzer’s ancestor
ern and Southern Districts of Texas, the an Uprka Museum in Strážnice, but a
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the museum in Prague would bring more
U.S. Supreme Court. Ms. Schweitzer is international attention to her great-
board certified in Labor and Employ- great uncle’s legacy. Additionally, she
ment Law by the Texas Board of Legal would like to become fluent in Czech
Specialization, a trained Mediator, a herself.
certified Professional in Human Re- In 2006, Ms. Schweitzer traveled
sources (PHR), and certified as both a to the Czech Republic and studied
Page 16 Announcements
The Department of Slavic and East
European Languages and Literatures
Donation of Books Olympiada Hosted Slavic Linguistics Society Conference
The Department would like to On March 17, 2008, Slavic Depart- From June 10th to 12th, 2008,
express its gratitude to Dr. Charles ment with generous support from the The Ohio State University hosted the
(“Chuck”) Gribble, for his extraordi- Center for Slavic and East European 3rd Annual Meeting of the Slavic Lin-
narily generous donation of hundreds Studies hosted the 2008 Ohio High guistics Society (SLS). The SLS seeks to
of scholarly books. Some of the books School Olympiada of Spoken Russian. encourage dialogue among Slavic lin-
are being added to the reference col- The Olympiada competition is orga- guists of different theoretical persua-
lection of the Reading Room (406 nized and funded by the American sions, and the annual SLS meeting has
Hagerty); others, at Dr. Gribble’s re- Councils of Teachers of Russian. It is developed into a significant venue for
quest, are being sold to benefit the the oldest of all American Councils’ Slavic linguists in both North America
TALVI Endowment, which provides secondary school activities dating to and Europe.
travel support for the Department’s the 1960s. In this competition, which is This year’s conference was a great
graduate students. The first book largely based on the long existing tradi- success, with more than 60 papers
sale of the “Gribble Collection” was tion of oral examinations and compe- presented by scholars from around the
held during the Slavic Linguistics So- titions in the Russian educational sys- world, including plenary talks by Hen-
ciety Conference, held June 10–12 in tem, Ohio high school students have ning Andersen (UCLA), Peter Culicover
Columbus; it was a great success and an opportunity to test their knowledge (OSU) and Lenore Grenoble (U. of Chi-
added substantially to the principal of of Russian and meet other students of cago). Many members of the Slavic
the Endowment. Other books from Russian throughout the state. and Linguistics Departments at OSU
the “Gribble Collection” are being of- Twenty one student from Start also presented their research and/or
fered on a continuing basis so that our High School in Toledo, OH, competed served as panel chairs. Feedback from
graduate students can begin building in this year’s event. This year’s winner, conference participants was extremely
their own “professional libraries.” For Andrea Reany, travelled to Vladimir, positive.
further information on the sale, please Russia, on a study abroad program, The conference additionally fea-
contact Daniel E. Collins (collins.232@ along with the finalists from other US tured a sale of donated books, primari-
osu.edu). Please also consider mak- regions who participated in Olympiada ly from the collection of DSEELL profes-
ing your own gift to the TALVI Endow- this year. sor Charles Gribble. Proceeds of more
ment—an investment in the future of than $1,000 went to the Talvi Fund to
our excellent scholars-in-training! support future graduate student con-
ference travel.
News continued from page 14: The event was organized by three
DSEELL faculty members - Daniel Col-
Lolita in the Department of Russian ming language R in her graduate semi- lins, Brian Joseph and Andrea Sims -
Literature of Kolomna’s Pedagogical nar to teach corpus linguistic analysis. with much help from the DSEELL staff
Institute (in Russian). The Institute’s She also demonstrated students’ final and graduate students. It was sup-
hospitality was “chisto russkoe” – Dr. course projects that were created us- ported by the DSEELL, the Kenneth E.
Delic and Ms. Helen Halva (from UNC) ing R. Naylor Professorship, the CSEES, the
who is writing her Ph.D. dissertation College of Humanities, and the Depart-
Ryan Walker is the Russian Table Co-
on Boris Pilnyak, particularly enjoyed ment of Linguistics.
ordinator for 2008-2009; he was the
the excursions to the medieval city of
Resident Director of the Tomsk Study
Zaraisk and to Dostoevski’s childhood
Abroad Program (see page 9) last year Yuliya Walsh read a paper titled “Clas-
summer home “Darovoe” that they
and will have the same job next sum- sification of New Anglicisms in Rus-
were treated to.
mer, for which we are very grateful, sian” at the 6th Graduate Colloquium
On December 4, Dr. Andrea Sims was since he does such an excellent job. on Slavic Linguistics, on October 18th,
a featured faculty member at the OSU He participated in this year’s Midwest 2008.
World Media and Culture Center Open Slavic Conference and presented a pa-
House. She talked about how she used per at the 2008 AATSEEL Conference in
the statistical and graphical program- San Francisco.
The Department of Slavic and East
Page 17
European Languages and Literatures
Buckeyes travel to Bulgaria
with Dr. Hashamova
and
the
of
Ko lomna
rence
Scenes ilnyak
Confe
l
P
biennia
The Department of Slavic and East
Page 18
European Languages and Literatures
Searching for relics among the Trinity excavations
in Novgorod, Dr. Collins digs in!
The Department of Slavic and East
Page 19
European Languages and Literatures
Dear Friend of the Department,
Our continued success depends largely on you. We need your contributions to help continue the tradition of excel-
lence associated with The Ohio State University Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures.
Please consider donating to one of our Endowments, Professorships, or Funds.
o I want to support the Department of Slavic and East European
Yes, For more information, or to speak
Languages and Literatures (fund #______________ from the list below) with a development officer, contact:
through an annual pledge of: Dr. Irene Delic, Chair
o $1,000 o $500 o $100 o Other ($ __________) for ______years (614) 292-4726
delic.1@osu.edu, or
Bill me: o Monthly o Quarterly o Annually
Margo Wolanin
This is a one-time gift of $ ____________. Enclosed is my payment in full. College of Humanities Development
o I would like more information about naming opportunities. (614) 292-3487
wolanin.2@osu.edu
o I would like more information about estate and planned giving.
Phone me at: (______) ______ ________
Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures Funds
Kalbouss Russian Culture Endowment 603529
Fund promotes Russian culture in the state of Ohio through presentations and
lectures.
Kenneth E. Naylor Professorship 645125
Fund aids in sustaining the Kenneth E Naylor Professorship of South Slavic
Linguistics.
Paissiy Endowed Professorship in Bulgarian Civilization and Culture 605608
Fund to establish a Professorship in Bulgarian Studies, and to support events
devoted to Bulgarian culture.
The Dr. Miriam G. Schwartz Slavic Fund 666501
Fund provides merit-based scholarship support for undergraduate students who have
declared major in Russian language, literature, culture, or linguistics.
The Talvi Endowment Fund
Fund provides financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students in 607106
Slavic in the form of annual awards for research, service, and teaching.
The Leon I. Twarog Memorial Scholarship and Study Abroad Memorial Fund 480287
Fund provides scholarship support for undergraduate students, with preference given
to students majoring in Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures.
Payment options: o My employer will match my gift.
To make a gift or pledge to the Department of Name of employer:
Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures,
return this card or complete the online form at giveto.osu.edu. ___________________________
o Check payable to The Ohio State University Phone:
o Credit card payment ___________________________
＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ ＿/ The Ohio State University
Acct. #
Department of Slavic and East
o Discover o MasterCard o VISA European Languages and Literatures
400 Hagerty Hall
Exp. Date ____________
1775 College Road
Signature ________________________________ Columbus, OH 43210-1215
