UKRAN 3306 – Reading in Ukrainian: Language, Literature and Culture

Вітаю!

Whether you’re a heritage speaker or a non-heritage learner with intermediate to advanced proficiency in Ukrainian, this course is designed with you in mind. If you’re eager to deepen your language skills through meaningful engagement with literature, this class offers a supportive and intellectually rich environment to do so. Together, we’ll read, discuss, and discover the voices of Ukrainian authors—both classic and contemporary—while building your confidence in reading and speaking Ukrainian.

Through these texts, we’ll also explore the cultural and historical contexts that shaped them, gaining deeper insight into Ukraine’s past and present, and the lived experiences behind the language.

Course Description

This 2-credit course is conducted entirely in Ukrainian and meets twice a week for 50-minute sessions (meeting times TBA). It is open to both heritage and non-heritage learners and may be repeated for credit.

The course centers on developing students’ reading fluency, vocabulary, and oral communication through literature. At the beginning of the semester, the class collaboratively selects readings that match students’ interests and language levels. These may include Ukrainian poetry, folklore, short stories, essays, and excerpts from longer works. The flexible, student-guided structure ensures the course remains responsive, engaging, and relevant every semester.

Course Goals

• Improve reading and speaking fluency in Ukrainian
• Expand active vocabulary
• Deepen cultural understanding through literature
• Foster confidence in expressing opinions and interpretations in Ukrainian

Sample Reading List (subject to change)

• Остап Вишня – Як ми колись учились, Моя автобіографія
• Остап Сливинський – Щоденники війни (The War Diaries)
• Андрій Любка – short stories or essays
• Сергій Жадан – Месопотамія (selections)
• Леся Українка – Лісова пісня (excerpts)
• Selected Ukrainian folktales, poetry by Ліна Костенко, Василь Симоненко, and other writers
• Short essays and cultural commentary from Ukrainian media

Course Requirements

• Active participation in class discussions
• Weekly reading assignments with vocabulary preparation
• Occasional short written reflections or summaries in Ukrainian
• Final project or paper: Typically 1.5–2 pages in Ukrainian, submitted at the end of the course or upon completing a major work

Note: This course is designed as a reading-intensive class. Writing tasks are minimal and serve to reinforce reading comprehension and personal response.