Russian literature from its origins to the age of the reforms of Alexander II
Our first-year course introduces students to Russian literature and culture from its medieval origins to the mid 1800s; in the second year, students focus more specifically on problems of literary style and evolution by examining texts from the 19th and 20th centuries that are linked by a particular theme; students who take the third-year course will go still more deeply into the literature and culture of a more specific historical period (such as the first half of the 20th century).
The aim of the course is to reconstruct the essential stages of the development of Russian literary civilization in the time frame taken into account while deepening knowledge of the most significant works. At the end of the course the student will be able to conduct a critical reflection on each of the literary texts read and to set them in the context of the main historical-literary, ethical, political issues of Russia of the time. The student will have the necessary tools to read each text included in the program, bringing it back to a certain literary current, to identify the original elements both on the formal and on the content level and to appreciate both the relevance of each work in the Russian cultural and social scene of the time and its universal dimension.
Classroom lectures (36 hours).
The course proposes to furnish students a general understanding of Russian literature from its origins to the mid 19th century and of the complex dynamics of its development. Discussions of literary history will be combined with the reading of literary texts authored by the most significant writers in the period. The course will also provide an overview of Russian literature from its origins to the 18th century.
The program for both attending and non-attending students is the same.
For the medieval literature: Excerpts from the following works: Racconto dei tempi passati; Il cantare della schiera di Igor'; Afanasij Nikitin, Viaggio al di là dei tre mari; Avvakum, Autobiografia
For the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
For the historical part:
Recommended criticism:
Ricevimento: The office reception time will be communicated at the beginning of the first semester. Online on the Teams platform, by appointment.
MARIO ALESSANDRO CURLETTO (President)
SARA DICKINSON
Lessons start: September 30, 2024.
Class schedule:
monday h 17-19 classroom C Polo Didattico via Fontane
friday h 12-13 classroom 18 Albergo dei Poveri.
RUSSIAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE I
Oral exam. Students may take the exam in either Italian or Russian.
The exam will consist of an oral exam on the course contents (evolution of literary culture, literary texts included in the course syllabus, their historical and cultural context, critical reflections on the texts). The exam will test whether or not students have actually read the literary texts found on the syllabus and will evaluate students' ability to offer a critical interpretation of these. The quality of students' exposition and the correct use of scholarly terms will be taken into consideration.
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department's disability liaison.
