NU professor's Russian literature lectures sold by Teaching Company

Northwestern Slavic Department Professor Emeritus Irwin Weil is now available for mass consumption.

A set of Weil's recorded lectures, called "Classics of Russian Literature," will be on sale starting today.

Weil's work was selected for publication after The Teaching Company placed him in the top 1 percent of professors in the United States.

His recorded course will "probe the depths of (Russian literature) under the guidance of an unusually passionate and illuminating teacher," according to The Teaching Company, a group founded in 1990 that publishes lectures of nationally-acclaimed professors.

About two years ago, the company selected Weil after considering teaching awards, published evaluations, newspaper articles and other sources to determine the best professors.

Each year company representatives travel to hear the lectures of the top 1 percent to choose who will audition for the chance to be published. Weil's freshman seminar was observed about two years ago.

Then, about one in 20 of the selected professors are asked to give a sample lecture for company's customers to score. Weil's lecture on Dostoevsky was evaluated.

After being chosen for publication, Weil recorded 36 half-hour lectures in fall 2005.

"Even in 36 lectures, you can only begin to cover it," said Weil. "I wouldn't pretend that it's complete or thorough. What it is, I think, is a very interesting, and I hope attractive, introduction to Russian literature."

Since 1951, Weil has taught at the Library of Congress, Boston University, Harvard University, Brandeis University, Moscow University and what is now St. Petersburg University.

He is a self-described "old, grizzled veteran." He has been at NU since 1966 and is a popular professor among students, which is reflected in his high CTECs.

Yumi Sagiuchi, who took Weil's Russian Folklore and Music class this quarter, first saw Weil speak two years ago for the Senior Week Last Lecture, in which parting seniors vote for one professor to give them their last college lecture.

"The most unique characteristic about (him) is that he's so old, but he's so childlike, like when he tells us stories," the Music senior said. "He gets those eye dimples and a big smile when he talks about Pushkin or about when he met Shostakovich."

Weil was Shostakovich's translator when the famous composer visited NU in 1973.

"For me, that excitement is the best part," Sagiuchi said.

Weil's excitement for immersing his students in Russian culture can be seen in his frequent slips into song and Russian poetry during class and his eagerness to discuss Russian cultural giants - such as Turgenev, Dostoevsky or Pushkin - with students outside of class.

"He's really passionate about the subject and that makes it more fun and interesting to learn about in class," said Medill sophomore Lauren Price. "How many classes are you singing Russian opera in? None."

Weil's students also are expected to apply their understanding of Russian culture to performing an actual Russian opera for the class.

Weil's lectures on "Classics of Russian Literature" are available online at www.TEACH12.com.

Reach Day W. Greenberg at d-greenberg@northwestern.edu.