OVERVIEW

This course proposes the reading and analysis of Russian prose and poetry. The specific topic and reading list change every year. The topic for 2017-2018 is:

TOLSTOJ: THE BEGINNING AND END OF A WRITER

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

These courses examine topics and problems in Russian literature and culture from its origins to the present. In class work includes the reading and translation of excerpts from the works of significant authors and critics.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course will furnish (1) an introduction to historical and political problems that are part of the cultural context for the texts in question; (2) deep knowledge of specific Russian writers and their writings, in both Russian and translation; (3) an introduction to research methods and techniques in the field of Russian (Russophone) literature; (4) the opportunity to participate in individual research projects.

TEACHING METHODS

This course will be conducted in person. In the case of problems such as pandemics or metereological alerts, we will meet online via Teams. Moreover, if available, we will take advantage of opportunities for streaming and/or recording. The code for the Team will be available on Aulaweb together with details, updates, materials, and announcements. In order to keep pace with the course, it is necessary to sign up on Aulaweb.

Students with certification of learning or other disabilities should inform the instructor (who is also the Departmental contact for the Inclusion of Students with Learning and Other Disabilities) in order to discuss possible accommodations.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Title of the course: RUSSIA, UKRAINE, VIOLENCE, UPHEAVAL

In this course we examine various situations of violence and upheaval in 19th- and early 20th-century Russian literature. We begin with a look at the relationship between Russia and Ukraine, a thread running through Russophone prose and poetry in this period and then move to more general reflections on the function that literature can have in the documentation or exploration of the upheavals that accompany ethnic and political violence in the Soviet era. The reading includes texts by Pushkin, Gogol', Marko Vovchok, Babel', Bunin, Bulgakov, and Akhmatova.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

N.B. This reading is not “recommended”, but mandatory!

The texts required for this course, as will be detailed on Aulaweb and discussed in class, will be available via pdf (on Aulaweb), at the copy shop (NonSoloCopie on via Balbi), in libraries, in bookstores (such as the Bozzi bookstore, via S. Siro, 28/r, off via Cairoli, 010.246.1718), and/or online.

This course requires some knowledge of Russian. Obviously, students able to read all of the texts in the original language are encouraged to do so. We will read some texts in Russian together, others will be available also in Italian translation.

Reading List – for alterations and details during the semester, see Aulaweb.

Texts include:

Riasanovsky, The History of Russia (selected pages)

Puškin, “Poltava” (Полтава, 1829)

Gogol’, “Nights on a Farm near Dikan'ka” (Вечера на хуторе близ Диканьки, 1831-1832)

Vovčok, “Marusja” (1871)

Babel’, “The Story of My Dovecote" (История моей голубятни, 1920)

Bunin, “Accursed Days” (Окаянные дни, 1918­-1919)

Bulgakov, “White Guard" (Бела eгвардия, 1923)

Achmatova, "Requiem" (Реквием, 1935-1961)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SARA DICKINSON (President)

MARIO ALESSANDRO CURLETTO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The week of 3 OCT 2022

Class schedule

RUSSIAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam and written exam at the end of the course. The completion of homework assignments during the course may reduce the size of the final exam.

This course is conceived as a laboratory that requires the active participation of the students. Those who attend and participate regularly will have a reduced final exam. "Participate regularly" means (1) attending at least 2/3 of the classes, (2) completing the assignments and projects (whether individual or group) in an adequate and timely manner (before the end of February 2023). The assignments will be explained in class and on Aulaweb and completed, in part, together.

Students who attend less than 2/3 of the course but are able to complete the assignments as above will have a reduced exam.

Students who attend at least 2/3 of the course but are unable or unwilling to complete the assignments as above have two options: (a) discuss their individual situation with the instructor in order to understand if other "discounts" or extensions are possible (if the problem is deadlines); (b) take the full final exam; and/or (c) take the exam with a different program in a year.

Exams will be held in Jan/Feb 2023, June/July 2023, and Sept 2023. After which students may take the exam by appointment. Students who do not pass the exam by February 2024 will need to move to the syllabus for 2023/24.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Sign up for the exam online. It may be taken in Italian, Russian, or English as the student prefers. Students will be evaluated on their general knowledge of the historical context, their reading of the texts on the syllabus, and their capacity to examine these analytically. It is necessary to read the texts carefully and to formulate an opinion about them. The discussion of passages in Russian will be part of the exam. Students will also be evaluated according to the quality of their exposition and their use of correct terminology from the fields of literature and Russian cultural history.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Class attendance is strongly recommended. Given the nature of this course, which is based on class discussion, it is necessary to keep up with the reading. Students who attend regularly will have the opportuinity to complete specific assignments that will reduce the size of the final exam.

Signing up for the course on Aulaweb is necessary to receive updates on the course, the assignments, and the final exam.