Russian Literature (MA)
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
This course is designed for students who have followed a three-year cycle of Russian literature and completed three-year Russian language learning. It can be part of a monolingual or bilingual specialization course but can also be chosen for two years in a row. For this reason, the topics dealt with each year present a wide variety of topics, historical periods and critical methodologies more specific and complex compared to those addressed during the three-year course The course stimulates the students to study in depth thematic or critical aspects useful to enrich the study path that each one is following.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: deepening of complex and articulated historical-literary, critical and methodological issues. Reading and detailed analysis of literary and critical texts in the original language.
Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to apply the critical methodologies learned to texts of individual choice. Identification of aspects related to one's own personal path in the works and critical methodologies presented during the course.
Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to apply the critical methodologies learned to texts of individual choice. Identification of aspects related to one's own personal path in the works and critical methodologies presented during the course.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is titled "'From another shore': problems of Immigration, Emigration and Literary Integration between the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union" and is made up of the following three teaching units: A. "Language, Geography and Identity: setting of the problem with reference to the role of foreign-born writers in Russian literature and emigration to the West in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries"; B. "The first wave of Russian emigration (Berlin)"; C. "The first wave of Russian emigration (Paris)".
The course provides 6 or 9 ECTS-credits. Students who intend to acquire 6 ECTS will follow the program of 2 units chosen according to their prevailing interests; students who intend to acquire 9 ECTS will follow the complete program (units A, B and C).
The course aims to investigate a particular aspect of Russian culture's relationship with the Other, from the origins of the modern age to the twentieth century, i.e. the integration of immigrant foreigners on the one hand, and the refusal or search for assimilation from part of the Russians emigrated to Western Europe on the other. In Unit A, with an introductory function, the eminent role in the Russian literature of authors of foreign origin (from Kantemir to Gogol 'to be limited to the beginning) will be highlighted, and the destinies of authors temporarily resident or expatriates abroad will be followed. In units B and C we will examine the paths and literary production of some representatives of the different generations of what, particularly after the Bolsheviks seized power, is configured as a real "Russia abroad" ("Russkoe zarubez'e"), focusing on the cities of Berlin and Paris.
As a rule the course program is valid until February 2021. Attending and non-attending students are always invited to contact the teacher for further information.
The course provides 6 or 9 ECTS-credits. Students who intend to acquire 6 ECTS will follow the program of 2 units chosen according to their prevailing interests; students who intend to acquire 9 ECTS will follow the complete program (units A, B and C).
The course aims to investigate a particular aspect of Russian culture's relationship with the Other, from the origins of the modern age to the twentieth century, i.e. the integration of immigrant foreigners on the one hand, and the refusal or search for assimilation from part of the Russians emigrated to Western Europe on the other. In Unit A, with an introductory function, the eminent role in the Russian literature of authors of foreign origin (from Kantemir to Gogol 'to be limited to the beginning) will be highlighted, and the destinies of authors temporarily resident or expatriates abroad will be followed. In units B and C we will examine the paths and literary production of some representatives of the different generations of what, particularly after the Bolsheviks seized power, is configured as a real "Russia abroad" ("Russkoe zarubez'e"), focusing on the cities of Berlin and Paris.
As a rule the course program is valid until February 2021. Attending and non-attending students are always invited to contact the teacher for further information.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is held partially in Russian, with reading of texts in the original language, and the materials and bibliography of the exam presuppose solid skills of Russian language and literary history, use of terminology and critical analysis and is therefore suitable only for the students who have already completed a three-year course with Russian as A or B language.
Teaching methods
The course follows these teaching methods: class lessons; reading and explaining passages from the works in the program; possible presentations of individual readings made by students.
Teaching Resources
The course has a website on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://lrossilrlm.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx) to which you are referred for the materials provided by the teacher as specified below.
Teaching unit A
1) Introductory study: Andreas Kappeler, "The Russian Empire: A Multi'Ethnic History", Routledge 2001 (selected pages); 2) Textbook for the study of the history of Russian literature: "Storia della civiltà letteraria russa", a c. di M. Colucci, R. Picchio, vol. 1, Torino, Utet, 1997 (parts relating to the period covered) or other texbook in English or Russian to be agreed. 3) Anthology of literary texts in Russian downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform. 4) Critical essays in Russian or other languages downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform or available in another form. 5) The notes of the lessons and the power point presentations by the teacher, available on the Ariel platform at the end of the course.
Teaching unit B
1) Introductory studies: Marc Raeff, "Russia Abroad, a Cultural History of the Russian Emigration, 1919-1939", Oxford U.P. 1990; L. Magarotto, Per una tipologia dell'emigrazione russa, "Europa orientalis", 26, 2007, pp. 127-144 (downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform).
2) One or more of the following literary texts, in Russian or in translation: V. Nabokov, Mašenka; Korol', dama, valet, King, Queen, Knave; Sogljadataj, The Eye; Kamera obskura, Laughter in the dark; Zaščita Lužina, The Defense; Podvig, Glory; Dar, The Gift; Priglašenie na kazn', Invitation to a beheading; V. Sklovskij, Sentimental'noe putešestvie, Sentimental Journey; Zoo, pis'ma ne o ljubvi, Zoo or letters not about love. 3) Anthology of literary texts in Russian downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform. 4) Critical essays in Russian or other languages downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform or available in another form. 5) The notes of the lessons and the power point presentations by the teacher, available on the Ariel platform at the end of the course.
Teaching unit C
One or more of the following literary texts, in Russian or in translation:
N. Berberova, Kursiv moj, The italics are Mine; Bijankurskie prazdniki, Billancourt Tales, or other tales and novels.
M. Cvetaeva, Poemy, Poems.
G. Gazdanov, Prizrak Aleksandra Vol'fa, The Specter of Alexander Wolf; Nočnye dorogi, Nights Roads: a Novel.
2) Anthology of literary texts in Russian downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform. 3) Critical essays in Russian or other languages, downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform or available in another form. 4) The notes of the lessons and the power point preentations by the teacher, available on the Ariel platform at the end of the course.
Indicative bibliography for individual investigations
Scrittori russi a Berlino, Napoli, Liguori, 1994.
M. Calusio, Il paradiso degli amici. Per un'analisi della poetica di B. Poplavskij, Milano, Unicatt. 2009.
M. Caratozzolo, La Russia allo specchio. Cultura, società e politica dell'emigrazione russa a Parigi negli anni Trenta, Torino, L'Harmattan Italia, 2006.
M. Venditti, Il volo sospeso di Gajto Gazdanov. Vita e opere di uno scrittore russo emigrato a Parigi, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2018.
Other books in Russian, English or other language, to be agreed.
At the exam, in addition to demonstrating knowledge of the materials indicated, the students will illustrate the results of an individual investigation about one of the authors treated during the course, made on the basis of 2 essays (or a monograph) present in the general bibliography or chosen individually.
Addition for non-attending students
The program for attending and for non-attending students is the same but non-attending students will deliver the individual investigation in written form (essay of about 15 pages with footnotes and bibliography about an author chosen from those indicated in the program or on the basis of their interests, reading 3-5 critical studies - articles and books - from the general bibliography or chosen individually; it must be sent to the teacher at least one week before the exam).
Teaching unit A
1) Introductory study: Andreas Kappeler, "The Russian Empire: A Multi'Ethnic History", Routledge 2001 (selected pages); 2) Textbook for the study of the history of Russian literature: "Storia della civiltà letteraria russa", a c. di M. Colucci, R. Picchio, vol. 1, Torino, Utet, 1997 (parts relating to the period covered) or other texbook in English or Russian to be agreed. 3) Anthology of literary texts in Russian downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform. 4) Critical essays in Russian or other languages downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform or available in another form. 5) The notes of the lessons and the power point presentations by the teacher, available on the Ariel platform at the end of the course.
Teaching unit B
1) Introductory studies: Marc Raeff, "Russia Abroad, a Cultural History of the Russian Emigration, 1919-1939", Oxford U.P. 1990; L. Magarotto, Per una tipologia dell'emigrazione russa, "Europa orientalis", 26, 2007, pp. 127-144 (downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform).
2) One or more of the following literary texts, in Russian or in translation: V. Nabokov, Mašenka; Korol', dama, valet, King, Queen, Knave; Sogljadataj, The Eye; Kamera obskura, Laughter in the dark; Zaščita Lužina, The Defense; Podvig, Glory; Dar, The Gift; Priglašenie na kazn', Invitation to a beheading; V. Sklovskij, Sentimental'noe putešestvie, Sentimental Journey; Zoo, pis'ma ne o ljubvi, Zoo or letters not about love. 3) Anthology of literary texts in Russian downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform. 4) Critical essays in Russian or other languages downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform or available in another form. 5) The notes of the lessons and the power point presentations by the teacher, available on the Ariel platform at the end of the course.
Teaching unit C
One or more of the following literary texts, in Russian or in translation:
N. Berberova, Kursiv moj, The italics are Mine; Bijankurskie prazdniki, Billancourt Tales, or other tales and novels.
M. Cvetaeva, Poemy, Poems.
G. Gazdanov, Prizrak Aleksandra Vol'fa, The Specter of Alexander Wolf; Nočnye dorogi, Nights Roads: a Novel.
2) Anthology of literary texts in Russian downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform. 3) Critical essays in Russian or other languages, downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform or available in another form. 4) The notes of the lessons and the power point preentations by the teacher, available on the Ariel platform at the end of the course.
Indicative bibliography for individual investigations
Scrittori russi a Berlino, Napoli, Liguori, 1994.
M. Calusio, Il paradiso degli amici. Per un'analisi della poetica di B. Poplavskij, Milano, Unicatt. 2009.
M. Caratozzolo, La Russia allo specchio. Cultura, società e politica dell'emigrazione russa a Parigi negli anni Trenta, Torino, L'Harmattan Italia, 2006.
M. Venditti, Il volo sospeso di Gajto Gazdanov. Vita e opere di uno scrittore russo emigrato a Parigi, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2018.
Other books in Russian, English or other language, to be agreed.
At the exam, in addition to demonstrating knowledge of the materials indicated, the students will illustrate the results of an individual investigation about one of the authors treated during the course, made on the basis of 2 essays (or a monograph) present in the general bibliography or chosen individually.
Addition for non-attending students
The program for attending and for non-attending students is the same but non-attending students will deliver the individual investigation in written form (essay of about 15 pages with footnotes and bibliography about an author chosen from those indicated in the program or on the basis of their interests, reading 3-5 critical studies - articles and books - from the general bibliography or chosen individually; it must be sent to the teacher at least one week before the exam).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between teacher and student and discussion of the research prepared by the student with reference to literary and critical texts in Russian.
The interview lasts about 30 minutes. It aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works, the ability of expression, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the ability to critically and personally reflect on the issues proposed.
The final mark is expressed in thirtieths, and the student has the right to reject it (in this case it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly contact the teacher.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
The interview lasts about 30 minutes. It aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works, the ability of expression, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the ability to critically and personally reflect on the issues proposed.
The final mark is expressed in thirtieths, and the student has the right to reject it (in this case it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly contact the teacher.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
From 12th February 2025 in my room, or on Teams (Generale - Ricevimento studenti e laureandi prof. Laura Rossi <[email protected]>) on Wednesdays: 2 - 5 p.m. (Check my ARIEL pages for any temporary changes).
Piazza S. Alessandro, 1, Slavistics department, 2nd floor, office