Bringing Ukraine into the Classroom: Utilizing Ukraïnica: The Primary Database of English Translations of Literature, Documents, and Films

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Description

This roundtable will introduce and familiarize participants with Ukraïnica: The Primary Database, a comprehensive and accessible database of English translations of Ukrainian literature, documents, and films, one that will be easily navigable by researchers and teachers across disciplines and levels—from K12 to college. Developed by the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, this project aims to develop, produce, and maintain an interactive bibliography that will streamline access to these English-language resources by linking to electronic databases, online retailers, and publishers. The database, moreover, provides an organized and navigable catalogue not only for instructors looking to integrate relevant Ukrainian sources into existing courses, but by organizing the collection by period, genre, and themes, it will be invaluable to those who are looking to develop new courses within and beyond literary and Slavic studies. As a vehicle for bringing a more expansive pedagogical vision to the historical, social, and cultural significance of Ukrainian literature, this roundtable will also consider users' needs as well as gauge interest in the future of Ukraïnica: The Primary Database as a long-term digital humanities project. The expected outcome of the roundtable is a larger group of participants who will expand the project to include sample syllabi integrating Ukrainian topics and sources into new and existing courses, evaluate the quality of the available translations, and add a wealth of secondary sources to contextualize each period and cultural phenomenon in question.

Sub Unit

• Digital Humanities

Chair

• Sandra Joy Russell, U of Massachusetts Amherst

Roundtable Members

• Oleh Kotsyuba, Harvard U, Ukrainian Research Institute

• Yuliya V. Ladygina, The Pennsylvania State U

• Olena Lennon, U of New Haven

• Sandra Joy Russell, U of Massachusetts Amherst

Session Manager

• Sandra Joy Russell, U of Massachusetts Amherst