This survey of Russian culture and civilization utilizes original Russian texts on history, the arts, religion and education, as well as documentary films and selections from literature. The course is designed to foster the acquisition of the language of Russian cultural and intellectual discourse. The course examines the two capitals of Russia as they have been depicted in its literature. While visiting actual sites, students will explore how major authors such as Dostoevsky, Gogol, Tolstoy and Bulgakov created the literary images of these cities. This course traces the development of Russian literature from its medieval beginnings to the end of the 19th century.
Students study a variety of genres including sagas, the novel, the short story, and lyric poetry.
Taught in English. This course traces the development of Russian literature from the fin de si cle to the present. A variety of genres will be studied, including the novel, the short story, drama, and lyric poetry. Taught in translation. This course considers masterworks of Russian and Soviet cinema from the Bolshevik revolution to the present.