Looking for a gentler semester? Start with courses where students have earned higher grades.
Highest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.
11 courses
Ranked courses have at least 100 recorded letter grades.
Topics in Dutch Literature in Translation studies an author or theme in modern Dutch/Flemish literature, presented by the current Dutch/Flemish writer in residence.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Jolanda Taylor
Homework load was described as not much, and the required reading consisted of texts chosen to be enjoyable. Students reported feeling free in class, suggesting a manageable pace for the literature material.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2025Explores Black Death and medieval life via Boccaccio's Decameron, examining medicine, art, politics, gender, and daily existence in the Middle Ages and early modernity.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Jelena Todorovic
The reviewer advised coming to class prepared and completing the readings.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Explores periods, genres, writers, and themes in Russian and Eastern European literature within Slavic literatures in translation.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Kirill Ospovat
Students reported that timed quizzes and tests were stressful, though they found the material manageable if they completed the readings.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Special Topics in German and World Literature explores diverse world literary traditions with an emphasis on German and German-speaking cultures.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Melissa Sheedy
The workload included weekly discussion posts, five short quizzes, two short papers, and a final project, with mandatory lecture attendance and sign-ins.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Special topics in Italian literature focusing on a specific period, genre, theme, or movement. Students analyze texts and recognize cultural and philosophical influences.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Ernesto Livorni
Students read approximately five to eight books and wrote a 10-12 page final research paper, with one student noting the grade was based on a midterm, final, and two major papers.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Elementary special topics course exploring periods, genres, writers, and themes in Russian and Eastern European literature and culture.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Explores Slavic contributions to Science Fiction through literature and film, surveying Czech, Polish, and Russian works and their adaptations.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · David Danaher
The course was heavy on readings, and the films could feel a bit dry, though lectures helped make the material more interesting.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2025Explores the development of the vampire legend in folklore, literature, cinema, television, and popular culture in relation to colonization, race, gender, sexuality, and class.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Benjamin Mier-Cruz
There was lots of material, though attendance was required for some graded assignments and extra credit options.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Examines Russian prose fiction, Anton Chekhov to the end of the 20th century. More writing intensive thanLITTRANS 202.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Andrew Reynolds
The workload included long, difficult novels, lots of reading, and many quizzes and essays. Attendance was part of the grade, though students noted you just had to show up.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Explores American Yiddish poetry, fiction, theater, and cinema by European Jews in the US, covering themes like language politics, minoritized status, and Jewish identity.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Phil Hollander
A student reported nightly homework assignments and long readings, describing the material as challenging and sometimes confusing.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Survey of 19th and 20th century Russian literature in translation II examines Russian prose fiction from Anton Chekhov to the end of the 20th century.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Andrew Reynolds
Students reported heavy reading loads, including many books and short stories. While completing assignments likely prevents failure, securing an A requires significant effort.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026