Russian Literature in a Cultural Context
ECH 3 Credit Course—Spring 2010
University of Copenhagen & DIS – Danish Institute of Study Abroad
The course provides a general understanding of Russian culture and history through the lens of literature.
Russian cinema and art will be studied alongside Russian literary masterpieces by authors such as
Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Nabokov, Bulgakov and Brodsky, among others.
Classroom: Vestergade 10-A11
Time: Mondays and Thursdays, 11:40 – 1:00
Instructor: Jon Kyst – email kyst@nullhum.ku.dk
Russian Literature in a Cultural Context
ECH 3 Credit Course—Spring 2010
University of Copenhagen & DIS – Danish Institute of Study Abroad
The course provides a general understanding of Russian culture and history through the lens of literature.
Russian cinema and art will be studied alongside Russian literary masterpieces by authors such as
Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Nabokov, Bulgakov and Brodsky, among others.
Classroom: Vestergade 10-A11
Time: Mondays and Thursdays, 11:40 – 1:00
Instructor: Jon Kyst – email kyst@nullhum.ku.dk
B.A. (Russian Language and Literature, University of Copenhagen, 1993)
M.A. (Russian Language and Literature, University of Copenhagen, 1996)
Ph.D. (English and Russian, University of Copenhagen, 2004).
Lecturer, University of Copenhagen.
Exchange student, St. Petersburg State University 1993. Visiting Scholar, Columbia University, 2000-2004.
With DIS since 2003.
DIS Russia study tour leader
DIS contacts
Jakob Lorentzen, ECH Program Director, jlo@nulldis.dk
Amelia Wirts, ECH Program Assistant, aw@nulldis.dk
Objectives
The aim of the course is to demonstrate how Russia is culturally different from the rest of Europe and the
world. This aim is achieved by reading and discussing Russian works of Russian literature and by learning
about the cultural and historical context in which the works appeared.
By the end of the course the participants will have developed their skills in textual analysis and they will be
able to provide informed answers to the question ‘What is Russia?’, drawing on their knowledge of some of
the most central works in Russia’s literary and cultural heritage within the following four topic areas: Russia
between East and West; Dostoevsky’s spiritual novel; What went wrong? Russia’s 20th century totalitarian
heritage and What went well? Russia’s 20th century contribution to world culture.
Content, readings and the class as a learning environment
The course is divided into four different topic areas central to the history of Russian literature and Russia’s
cultural history. Each topic area has its major focus on readings of literary texts. As the students discuss the
texts in class, they are provided with theoretical and critical tools instrumental to understanding the literary
works. To promote an understanding of the historical and cultural context specific to the Russian works
studied, the course includes lectures on a series of topics in Russian cultural, as well as political and
economic history. Apart from the prose fiction, works of poetry, visual art, music and cinema are studied and
discussed; both to support the fiction read in class, but also as examples of Russian culture studied on a par
with literature.
The learning outcome is measured through quizzes in which the students’ familiarity with the texts read for
class is checked alongside with the students’ ability to mobilize knowledge gained from lectures and
background readings. Three analytical papers demonstrate the students’ ability to incorporate theoretical
and critical tools as well as knowledge of Russian culture and history in an analysis of literary texts, films and
works of art studied in the class. Besides covering the last classes in the course, the final exam measures the
students’ familiarity with texts read for all classes in the course, the students’ factual knowledge gained
through the course and the students’ critical and analytical skills developed through writing papers and
participating in class discussions.
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Course requirements
1) Final exam with quiz included 15 %
2) 3 analytical papers (1600-1800 words each) 60 % (20 % each)
3) Participation 10 %
4) 3 quizzes 15 % (5 % each)
Grading, papers, plagiarism and students’ rights and obligations.
Grading follows the American ABCDF standard. A+ is not given. Grading does not follow a “curve.” This
means that in theory, all students in the class can get an A for the class. All grades are used, including C’s and
D’s. Consider “B” the grade given for an average performance.
Essays must be submitted on time and in electronic form, double-spaced, with word count and a list of works
cited. Use MLA, Chicago or other standard formats. The professor is not obliged to read late papers and
reserves the right to give an “F” grade for late papers. The professor is skilled and experienced in detecting
plagiarism. If students are caught plagiarizing, they will fail the entire course. Please keep in mind that
submitting papers already submitted in your home school or in Copenhagen, or parts thereof, is considered
plagiarism on a par with copy/pasting from others’ work. If you are in doubt whether you are plagiarizing or
not, ask the professor before you hand in your paper.
The participation grade reflects the fact that the class is designed to be discussion-based. This means that
students are expected to take a very active part in all discussions. The participation grade also reflects the
student’s preparation for class, and punctuality (not being late for class). Absence from the class not due to
illness can result in an “F” grade for participation. Absence is not accepted if due to travelling, visitors
coming to Copenhagen or papers due in this or other classes.
The students have the right to receive timely and substantial feedback on their work in written form,
including work in progress. The students have the right to organize individual meeting with the professor to
discuss any issue relevant for the learning process. The students have the right to meet with the professor
prior to or during the process of writing papers. Finally, the students have the right to be informed about
their expected participation grade during the semester and how it can be improved.
Study tour
Students are very much encouraged to participate in the optional study tour to Russia which is lead by the
professor and includes sights and discussion topics of very direct relevance for the course.
Readings:
Akhmatova, Anna. Poems (Binder)
Brodsky, Joseph. “A Guide to a Renamed City” (In Less Than One)
Brodsky, Joseph. “In a Room and a Half” (In Less Than One)
Brodsky, Joseph. Less Than One.
Bulgakov, Mikhail. The Master and Margarita.
Bulgakov, Mikhail. The Heart of a Dog.
Chaadaev, Petr. Philosophical Letters (Binder)
Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment.
Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Notes from the Underground
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Gogol, Nikolai. “Diary of a Madman” (In Plays and Petersburg Tales)
Gogol, Nikolai. “Nevsky Prospect” (In Plays and Petersburg Tales)
Gogol, Nikolai. “The Nose” (In Plays and Petersburg Tales)
Gogol, Nikolai. “The Overcoat” (In Plays and Petersburg Tales)
Gogol, Nikolai. Plays and Petersburg Tales
Lotman, Yuri. “The Symbolism of St. Petersburg” (Binder)
Mayakovsky, Vladimir. Poems (Binder)
Nabokov, Vladimir. Speak, Memory.
The Master & Margarita. A Critical Companion. Laura Weeks (Ed.)
Pushkin, Alexander. “The Bronze Horseman” (Binder)
Pushkin, Alexander. “Queen of Spades” (Handout)
Raine, Craig. “A Reputation Subject to Inflation” (Handout)
The Routledge Companion to Russian Literature. Neil Cornwell (Ed.)
Shklovsky, Viktor. “Art as Technique” (Binder)
Tyutchev, Fyodor. “Russia is a thing of which…” (Binder)
Opera recording:
Tchaikovsky, Pique Dame (performed by the Mariinsky Opera in Saint Petersburg.
Conductor: Valerii Gergiev) (excerpts on DVD)
Feature films:
Burnt by the Sun (Orig. title: 1234567786 9357:64. Russia, 1994. Dir. Nikita Mikhalkov)
Brother (Orig. title: ;<=2. Russia, 1997. Dir. Aleksei Balabanov)
Heart of a Dog. (Orig. title: >3?=@A6 96<B:6. Russia, 1988. Dir. Vladimir Bortko)
Documentaries:
Fear and the Muse: The Story of Anna Akhmatova (USA, 1991. Dir.)
Joseph Brodsky: A Maddening Space (USA, 2000. Dir.
Course plan:
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Topic area I: Russia between East and West
(1) Thursday, 21 January
Pushkin, ”The Bronze Horseman”
Lecture: Pre-Petrine and Petrine Russia
(2) Monday, 25 January
Pushkin, “Queen of Spades”
Screening of Tchaikovsky’s opera Pique Dame (excerpts)
Lecture: Pushkin: Russia’s national poet
(3) Thursday, 28 January
Brodsky, “A Guide to a Renamed City”
Lotman, “The Symbolism of St. Petersburg” (Binder)
Lecture: The St. Petersburg problem in Russian cultural history
(4) Monday, 1 February
Tiutchev, “Russia is a Thing of Which” (Binder)
Chaadaev, from “Philosophical Letters” (Binder)
Lecture: Russia’s national debates in the 19th century
*Election of Two Class Representatives*
Short Study Tours: Feb. 4-6
(5) Monday, 8 February
Gogol, “The Overcoat”
Lecture: Nikolai Gogol’s life and time
(6) Thursday, 11 February
Gogol, “Nevsky Prospekt”
Lecture: Gogol’s St. Petersburg
(7) Monday, 15 February
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Gogol, “The Nose”
Lecture: Gogol’s heritage in 20th century Russian culture
Wednesday, 17 February
13:00 – 17:00 Film screening followed by discussion of Brother. Room TBA
(8) Thursday, 18 February
Gogol, “Diary of a Madman”
Quiz covering classes 1 thru 8
1st analytical paper due on Saturday, 20 February at 8:00 PM
Topic area II: Dostoevsky’s spiritual novel
(9) Monday, 22 February
Dostoevsky, Notes From the Underground, Part I
Lecture: Dostoevsky’s life and time
(10) Thursday, 25 February
Dostoevsky, Notes From the Underground, Part II
Dostoevsky, “Winter Notes on Summer Impressions” (in Notes from the Underground)
Lecture: Dostoevsky and the West
Long Study Tours: Feb. 28- March 6
(11) Monday, 8 March
Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment, Parts I-II
Lecture: Dostoevsky’s St. Petersburg
(12) Thursday, 11 March
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Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment, Parts III-IV
Frank, “The World of Raskolnikov” (567-77 in Crime and Punishment)
“Background and Sources” (467-82 in Crime and Punishment)
Lecture: Dostoevsky’s gospel
(13) Monday, 15 March
Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment, Part V-VI, “Epilogue”
Mikhail Bakhtin, “From Problems of Dostoevsky’s Poetics” (643-55 in Crime and Punishment)
Quiz covering classes 9 thru 13
Wednesday, 17 March 8:30 – 12:00
Room A-11. Study tour orientation with Russian language course for students participating in one of the
optional study tours to Russia. Note that participation in this class is mandatory for all students enrolled
in the Russia study tour groups.
Topic area III: What went wrong? Russia’s 20th century totalitarian heritage
(14) Thursday, 18 March
Bulgakov, Heart of a Dog
Lecture: The 1917 Revolution: Background and consequences
2nd analytical paper due on Saturday, 20 March at 8:00 PM
(15) Monday, 22 March NB!
Class during regular class hours is cancelled. Instead we meet at 18:00 for a screening of the film version
of Heart of a Dog, followed by discussion.
(16) Thursday, 25 March
Bulgakov, Master and Margarita, Part I
Lecture: Bulgakov’s life and time
Travel Break and Optional Study Tours: March 27-April 11
Optional study tours to Russia: St. Petersburg, Novgorod and Moscow
28 March – 3 April (Russia A group) and 5-11 April (Russia B group)
Both groups are led by course professor Jon Kyst
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(17) Monday, 12 April
Bulgakov, Master and Margarita, Part II
Lecture: Russia’s 20th century totalitarian heritage
(18) Thursday, 15 April
Weeks, “’What I Have Written, I Have Written’” (in The Master and Margarita: A Critical Companion,
pp. 3-51); “Primary sources” (ibid., pp. 195-241)
Quiz covering classes 14-18
3rd analytical paper due on Saturday, 17 April at 8:00 PM
Topic area IV: What went well? Russia’s 20th century contribution to world culture
(19) Monday, 19 April
Akhmatova, poems
Mayakovsky, poems
The Silver age: avant-garde, futurism, acmeism
Wednesday, 21 April 13:00 – 17:00
Screening of two documentaries:
Fear and the Muse: The Story of Anna Akhmatova
Joseph Brodsky: A Maddening Space
Room TBA
(20) Thursday, 22 April
Nabokov, Speak, Memory
Shklovsky, “Art as Technique”
Lecture: Russia’s contribution to 20th century writing and literary theory
(21) Monday, 26 April
Brodsky, In a Room and a Half
Lecture: Life and culture under late Soviet socialism
Short Optional Tours and Travel Break: April 29-May 2
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(22) Monday, 3 May
Brodsky, Poems
Raine, “A Reputation Subject to Inflation”
Lecture: Three waves of 20th century Russian emigration
(23) Thursday, 6 May
Nabokov, Speak, Memory
Lecture: Nabokov’s cross-linguistic writing
Monday, May 10 NB! 12:00 – 14:00
Final exam (the exam includes quiz questions to classes 19 thru 23). Room TBA