Author: Sarah Bidgood

On Thursday, April 7, 2016, the Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies (GIRS) at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies will host two preeminent scholars from Russia as part of its Visiting Experts series. The first, Dr. Victoria Zhuravleva, is a professor and the director of the Program on American Studies at the Russian State University for the Humanities. She is also the Vice-Director of the University’s Department of International Relations and Area Studies. Prof. Zhuravleva will present a lecture entitled, “Russian-American Relations in Crises: High Politics and Popular Geopolitics” in Russian from 1:00-1:50 PM at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS). 

The second speaker, Dr. Ivan Kurilla, is a Professor and the director of Development of Partnership Initiatives at the European University in St. Petersburg. Prof. Kurilla will deliver a lecture entitled, “Russian-American relations from the 18th century to the 19th century: international interactions and mutual perceptions (from the earliest time to the Civil War era).” This lecture will be in Russian, and it will take place from 2:00-2:50 PM at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS). 

Prof. Zhuravleva and Prof. Kurilla are the 5th and 6th speakers respectively to visit MIIS this semester through the Visiting Experts series, a foundational element of the Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies. The Initiative comprises three other primary programs: a field research trip to the Russian Far East for MIIS and Middlebury students led by Professor Tsuneo Akaha; coordinating and supporting MIIS students in undertaking summer research and internship opportunities in Russia; and translating weekly public opinion polls conducted by the Levada-center from Russian to English.  For more information on the list of upcoming experts for this semester and on the Initiative itself, please visit: https://sites.middlebury.edu/russianinitiative/

This week, the Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies will host two lecturers from Russia at MIIS as part of its Visiting Experts series. The first, Ilya Krasilshchik, is a leader in the Russian media. After serving as product director of the Afisha publishing company for many years, he and two other partners launched the Russian language news portal Meduza in 2014. Mr. Krasilshchik will deliver a lecture entitled, “How to Build a Media in Modern Russia” in Russian on Monday, March 28, from 2-4 PM in Irvine Auditorium.  The second expert is Ekaterina Krongaus, editor at Meduza. Mrs. Krongaus’ lecture, which will also be given in Russian, is entitled, “Journalism in Russia: How to Create a Story When Nobody Talks.” It will take place on Tuesday, March 29, from 2-4 PM in McGowan 102.

Mr. Krasilshchik and Mrs. Krongaus are the third and fourth speakers to visit MIIS this semester through the Visiting Experts series, a foundational element of the Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies. The Initiative comprises three other primary programs: a field research trip to the Russian Far East for MIIS and Middlebury students led by Professor Tsuneo Akaha; coordinating and supporting MIIS students in undertaking summer research and internship opportunities in Russia; and translating weekly public opinion polls conducted by the Levada-center from Russian to English.  For more information on the list of upcoming experts for this semester and on the Initiative itself, please visit: https://sites.middlebury.edu/russianinitiative/

During the week of March 7, 2016, the Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies will host three lectures by visiting expert Dr. Natalia Sevagina. Dr. Sevagina is an art historian at Moscow’s renowned Tretyakov Gallery; in her lectures, she will explore the use of art as a medium through which to better understand Russia. The first lecture, on Monday March 7, will focus on Russian icons. The second, on Tuesday March 8, will focus on Russian classical art, and the third, on Thursday March 10th will examine Russia’s modern art.  All three of Dr. Sevagina’s lectures will be delivered in Russian.

Dr. Sevagina is the second lecturer of the Spring 2016 Visiting Experts Series organized by GIRS.  The Visiting Experts program is a foundational element of the GIRS initiative, alongside three other objectives: a field research trip to the Russian Far East for MIIS and Middlebury students led by Professor Tsuneo Akaha; coordinating and supporting MIIS students in undertaking summer research and internship opportunities in Russia; and translating weekly public opinion polls conducted by the Levada-center from Russian to English.  For more information on the list of upcoming experts for this semester and on the Initiative itself, please visit: http://www.miis.edu/academics/researchcenters/russian-studies

(Updated February 2016)