Courses

Slavic Myths, Fairy-Tales, and Fantasy (in English)
In this course we will explore the world of the Slavic folklore and get acquainted with its most prominent motifs and characters: Baba Yaga the Bone Leg, Vasilisa the Wise, Koschei the Deathless, and many others. We will trace the development of these motifs and characters from their earliest appearance in Slavic myths and fairy-tales, through the works of Russian literature of the 19th and 20th century (Gogol, Pushkin, Bulgakov, the Strugatsky brothers), and, finally, see how they make their way into the texts of contemporary Russian, Ukrainian, Croatian, Polish and American fantasy authors (Tokarczuk, Ugresic, Sapkovski, Arden, etc.).

Pushkin
In this course, we will explore the works of the Russian national poet, Aleksandr Pushkin. Primary readings will be drawn from Pushkin's prose, poetry, drama, and critical writings. Additional readings will include works from 20th and 21st century writers and cultural figures who respond to or challenge Pushkin's ongoing reception within Russian and world literature. No knowledge of Russian required. Open to first year students. 3 hrs. sem.

Tolstoy (in English)
In this course we will focus on major works by literary giant Leo Tolstoy. Students will be introduced to his epic range, philosophical depth, and psychological acuteness. Readings encompass early short fiction including selected Sevastopol Tales, Three Deaths, and Family Happiness; in-depth analysis of his masterpiece War and Peace; and several late, post-conversion works including The Death of Ivan Ilych, The Kreutzer Sonata, and Master and Man. Excerpts from Tolstoy's memoirs, diaries, and letters. No knowledge of Russian required. 3 hrs. lect.

Gogol and Romantic Melancholy (In English)
In this course we will explore the corpus of one of the canonical figures of nineteenth-century Russian literature, Nikolai Gogol, and situate him within a broader tradition of romantic melancholy in Western, and later, Russian culture (e.g. writers such as Poe, Baudelaire, Benjamin, Dostoevsky, Platonov, filmmakers such as Tarkovsky and Zviagintsev). How does one describe a world where formerly familiar pathways to transcendence have been left in ruins by modernity? Can this loss be remedied in art, or only repeated? Twice weekly discussions of materials in English, though students are encouraged to engage with the original texts. 3 hrs. lect.

The Art of Vladimir Nabokov (in English)
A study of the "perverse" aesthetics of this Russian-American writer. We will expose the hidden plots under the surface of his fiction, follow and arbitrate the ongoing contest between the author and his fictional heroes, and search for the roots of Nabokov's poetics in Western and Russian literary traditions. An attempt will be made to show the continuity between the Russian and English works of this bilingual and bicultural writer. 3 hrs. lect.

Advanced Reading and Discussion (in Russian)
This advanced course is for those students who could not study in Russia but have attained a high level of Russian language proficiency. The goal of this course is to help students improve their ability to read, write, and talk about politics, culture and literature in Russia. We will focus on recent events in Russia over domestic political situations, and international relations, read articles, literary works, and follow social media. 3 hrs. sem. (RUSS 0311 and RUSS 0312 or study at the summer school)

Reflection of the modern Russian society on Soviet cinematography as nostalgia for social state
The USSR was an autocratic model of a social state. For all the shortcomings of this model, the Soviet people had social guarantees and standards of living that were lost in the 90s of the 20th century after the collapse of the country. Over the past two decades, Russians became nostalgic about Soviet cinematographic heritage, which displayed certain values of life in a state that proclaimed social support and equal rights and opportunities for all. We will watch Russian movies (available online) from the Soviet era, with English subtitles, and discuss why they have become so popular in 2000-s in Russia.