Faces of Contemporary Russia

Olga Mesropova is an Associate Professor of Russian at Iowa State University. She is the author of the advanced-level cinema-based Russian language conversation textbook, Kinotalk, has co-edited two scholarly anthologies with Slavica Publishers and Johns Hopkins University Press, and has published numerous articles and reviews on Russian cultural discourse.

• Faces of Contemporary RussiaContentsPrefaceAcknowledgementsIntroduction: Faces of Contemporary RussianRussia of the 21st century. A panorama of cultural life. Through the prism of sociology: Which periods of Russian history are of interest to Russians1. Oleg Kuvaev, Masyanya and flash-animationOleg Kuvaev: BibliographyHistorical Context: Saint Petersburg, Petrograd, LeningradGetting ready for reading and conversation: Who is Masyanya?Though the eyes of a scholar of culture: Who is Masyanya?Historical Context: Worker and Kolkhoz Woman GrammarDaily, weekly, yearly, + instrumental caseGenitive case, review2. Darya Dontsova, bestsellers and historical detective novelsDarya Dontsova: BibliographyThrough the prism of sociology: Do today's Russians read much?Getting ready for reading and conversation: What is ironic detective fiction?Through the eyes of a scholar of culture: What is ironic detective fiction?GrammarNumerals + genitive casePerfective/imperfective verbs, reviewwith prefixesSimple superlative, review3. Diana Vishneva and the world of the Russian balletDiana Vishneva: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian balletThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian balletThrough the prism of sociology: Is it true that all Russians are fans of ballet?GrammarMotion verbs, review, ...Dates, review4. Konstantin Raikin and the world of Russian theaterKonstantin Raikin: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian theaterThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian theaterGrammarMotion verbs, reviewDative case, reviewNumerals, reviewwith prefixes5. Valentin Yudashkin and the Russian fashion industryValentin Yudashkin: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Contexts of Russian fashionThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: Contexts of Russian fashionThrough the prism of sociology: Are school uniforms necessary?GrammarParticiples, reviewMotion verbs, review6. Ksenia Sobchak and the world of Russian glamourKsenia Sobchak: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Russian glamour – what is it?Through the prism of sociology: Do Russians think of themselves as happy people?Through the eyes of a scholar of culture: Russian glamour – what is it?GrammarVerbs with the prefix -Review of casesParticiples, reviewPassive voice, reviewReflexive verbs, review7. Vladimir Posner and the world of Russian televisionVladimir Posner: BibliographyHistorical context: USSR–US Space BridgesGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian televisionThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian televisionThrough the prism of sociology: Talk shows on Russian televisionGrammarReview of casesThe word Motion verbs, review?8. Zemfira and the world of Russian rock musicZemfira: BibliographyListening to Zemfira's songsGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian rock musicThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian rock musicGrammar- + verbReview of cases, , , Reflexive verbsPerfective/imperfective verbs, review9. Renata Litvinova and the world of Russian cinemaRenata Litvinova: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian cinemaThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian cinemaHow well do you know Russian cinema?GrammarReview of caseswith prefixesVerbal adverbs, review+ perfective/imperfective verbs, reviewVerbal adverbs vs. participles10. Evgeni Plushenko and Russian figure skatingEvgeni Plushenko: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Contexts of Russian sportsThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: Contexts of Russian sportsGrammarPerfective/imperfective verbs, reviewVerbal adverbs, review- (? , ) (? , )with prefixesVerbal adverbs vs. participles11. Igor Matvienko and the world of Russian pop musicIgor Matvienko: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Contexts of Russian pop musicThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: Contexts of Russian pop musicThrough the prism of sociology: Do Russians like pop music?Grammar, ...Verbal adverbs, reviewParticiples, review12. Irina Khakamada the women of Russian politicsIrina Khakamada: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Women of Russian politicsThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: Women of Russian politicsThrough the prism of sociology: Women in politics?GrammarNegative adverbsParticiples, reviewIn Lieu of a Conclusion: Russian millennialsPussy RiotRussian vloggersCulture Studies Test