Russian Folk Culture: Its Sources, Traditions, and Art

Russian folk culture is important for understanding the country and its people and explains much about today’s Russia. This course will examine the roots of Russian folk culture, types of traditional homes, the Russian folk calendar and life cycle, family and wedding traditions, folk art, and folklore and its “cultural heroes.” Students will not only learn about folk culture, but will learn to make representative items, such as dolls and combs, prepare long-popular Russian dishes, perform ritual songs, and play games that were played in Russian villages. Assignments will include a final project and presentation.