Russian Literature 2
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
This course represents the second stage of a three-year programme aimed at introducing students to the historical evolution and the main phenomena and authors of Russian literature from the 18th to the 20th century. It deals in particular with Russian literature of the second half of the nineteenth century and therefore includes world-renowned authors such as Ivan Turgenev, Fedor Dostoevskij, Lev Tolstoj and others, to one or more of whom each year a part of the course is dedicated. Addressing students who are also in the middle of the learning path of the Russian language, it presents in the original language significant excerpts in verse and prose and introduces the students to the analysis of the artistic text.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: outline of the history of Russia in the second half of the nineteenth century and of the relationship between social and literary dynamics in the light of the particular country's situation. Main authors and literary movements; evolution or the novel; basic elements of Russian metrics, with reference to the authors of the first and second half of the nineteenth century. Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to read and contextualize fundamental works of Nineteenth century Russian literature in Italian. Reading passages of texts examined during the course in Russian. Understanding of historical, cultural, and social implications of literary texts; ability to place authors, movements and works in their context; ability to recognise and explain each author's literary themes and strategies; recognize the most elementary forms of versification and rhetorical figures and explain the effects on the meaning of a poetic text.
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 provides 9 ECTS credits. It is not possible to acquire only 6.
The course is titled: "Monks, bishops, schismatics, pilgrims and atheists. The paths of Russian spirituality in the literature of the second half of the 19th century" and comprises the following three parts: 1. "From 'living relics' to the 'sealed angel'. Popular spirituality in Russian literature of the 1840-70s"; 2. "'If God does not exist, everything is allowed'. Figures of clergy members and atheists in Russian literature of the years 1860-1900 "; 3. «Mother of God, now with a prayer ». Linguistic and stylistic analysis of Russian texts in verse and prose. The first two parts will be in sequence, generally in the first two lessons of the week, while the third will be held parallel to them in the following.
The course deals with one of the most prosperous phases of Russian literature, the mid and second half of the nineteenth century, pointing to the guidelines of its evolutionary path in the years when positivistic and materialistic philosophical theories spread.
Focusing on figures belonging to the regular and secular clergy, believers linked to traditional orthodoxy or "sects", and rebellious atheists will allow us to reach the heart of the artistic discourse of writers such as I. Turgenev, F. Dostoevskij, L. Tolstoj, N. Leskov, A. Chekhov and others, and to better understand an essential aspect of Russian society.
The third part will deal with poetic texts from the entire nineteenth century more or less related to religious feelings, and significant passages of the analyzed prose works, in the original language.
As a rule the course program is valid until December 2024. Students are invited to contact the teacher for further information.
The course is titled: "Monks, bishops, schismatics, pilgrims and atheists. The paths of Russian spirituality in the literature of the second half of the 19th century" and comprises the following three parts: 1. "From 'living relics' to the 'sealed angel'. Popular spirituality in Russian literature of the 1840-70s"; 2. "'If God does not exist, everything is allowed'. Figures of clergy members and atheists in Russian literature of the years 1860-1900 "; 3. «Mother of God, now with a prayer ». Linguistic and stylistic analysis of Russian texts in verse and prose. The first two parts will be in sequence, generally in the first two lessons of the week, while the third will be held parallel to them in the following.
The course deals with one of the most prosperous phases of Russian literature, the mid and second half of the nineteenth century, pointing to the guidelines of its evolutionary path in the years when positivistic and materialistic philosophical theories spread.
Focusing on figures belonging to the regular and secular clergy, believers linked to traditional orthodoxy or "sects", and rebellious atheists will allow us to reach the heart of the artistic discourse of writers such as I. Turgenev, F. Dostoevskij, L. Tolstoj, N. Leskov, A. Chekhov and others, and to better understand an essential aspect of Russian society.
The third part will deal with poetic texts from the entire nineteenth century more or less related to religious feelings, and significant passages of the analyzed prose works, in the original language.
As a rule the course program is valid until December 2024. Students are invited to contact the teacher for further information.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is in Italian, with reading and commentary of literary texts (poetry and prose) in Russian. The syllabus is intended for students with skills in the Russian Language and history of Russian literature gained during the previous year's courses in Russian language and literature.
[Students who do not know Russian will not always find Italian translations of the literary texts; therefore, if interested in the course, they must contact the teacher in advance to agree on adaptations of the program]
[Students who do not know Russian will not always find Italian translations of the literary texts; therefore, if interested in the course, they must contact the teacher in advance to agree on adaptations of the program]
Teaching methods
The course follows these teaching methods: class lectures, reading and explaining passages from the works in the syllabus, and possible presentations of individual readings made by students.
Teaching Resources
The course has a website on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://lrossilr2.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx) to which you are referred for the materials provided by the teacher as specified below.
Syllabus:
1) Textbook for the study of the history of Russian literature in English or Russian to be agreed (parts relating to the period covered, that is from 1845 to 1880, about Chaadaev, Slavophiles, Stankevich, Belinskij, Herzen, V. Majkov, raznochincy, radicals, Grigor'ev, Herzen, Aksakov, natural School, Saltykov-Shchedrin, Goncharov, Leskov, populism, Ostrovskij, Nekrasov, Tjutchev, Turgenev, Dostoevskij, Tolstoj, Fet, Chekhov; 2) Textbook for the study of the history of Russia: N. V. Riasanovsky, "A History of Russia, Oxford U.P. (parts relating to the period covered, that is from 1845 to 1905) or other texbook in Russian to be agreed; 3) compulsory critical text: M. Bakhtin, Problems of Dostoevsky's Poetics, University of Minnesota 1984 https://monoskop.org/images/1/1d/Bakhtin_Mikhail_Problems_of_Dostoevskys_Poetics_1984.pdf (ch. 2-5 with particular attention to Russian literature and to the works of Dostoevskij object of the course and possibly read by the student) or original Russian version; 4) Literary texts relating to the general part: (depending on the length) 1-3 novel or collection of short stories or dramas in the original Russian or translation, chosen from: Iv. Turgenev, "Sketches from a Hunter's Album", "Home of the Gentry", "Fathers and Sons", Iv. Goncharov, "Oblomov", F. Dostoevsky, "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot"; "Demons", "A gentle creature", "The Karamazov Brothers"; L. Tolstoy, "War and Peace", "Anna Karenina", "Ivan Il'ič's Death", "Father Sergij"; N. Leskov, "The Cathedral Folk", M. Saltykov-Shchedrin, "The Golovlyov Family", A. Chekhov, Selected Stories (e.g. "The Black Monk", "Ward N. 6", "The Bishop"), Plays: "The Seagull", "Uncle Vanya", "Three Sisters", "The Cherry Orchard".
5) Anthology of literary texts in Russian downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform; 6) PowerPoint presentations used in class during the lectures downloadable from the Ariel platform; 7) (if needed) other fragments of literary and critical texts mentioned during the lectures (downloadable from the Ariel platform).
8) The program for attending and for non-attending students is the same. Any essays for further reading in Russian or English may be requested.
Syllabus:
1) Textbook for the study of the history of Russian literature in English or Russian to be agreed (parts relating to the period covered, that is from 1845 to 1880, about Chaadaev, Slavophiles, Stankevich, Belinskij, Herzen, V. Majkov, raznochincy, radicals, Grigor'ev, Herzen, Aksakov, natural School, Saltykov-Shchedrin, Goncharov, Leskov, populism, Ostrovskij, Nekrasov, Tjutchev, Turgenev, Dostoevskij, Tolstoj, Fet, Chekhov; 2) Textbook for the study of the history of Russia: N. V. Riasanovsky, "A History of Russia, Oxford U.P. (parts relating to the period covered, that is from 1845 to 1905) or other texbook in Russian to be agreed; 3) compulsory critical text: M. Bakhtin, Problems of Dostoevsky's Poetics, University of Minnesota 1984 https://monoskop.org/images/1/1d/Bakhtin_Mikhail_Problems_of_Dostoevskys_Poetics_1984.pdf (ch. 2-5 with particular attention to Russian literature and to the works of Dostoevskij object of the course and possibly read by the student) or original Russian version; 4) Literary texts relating to the general part: (depending on the length) 1-3 novel or collection of short stories or dramas in the original Russian or translation, chosen from: Iv. Turgenev, "Sketches from a Hunter's Album", "Home of the Gentry", "Fathers and Sons", Iv. Goncharov, "Oblomov", F. Dostoevsky, "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot"; "Demons", "A gentle creature", "The Karamazov Brothers"; L. Tolstoy, "War and Peace", "Anna Karenina", "Ivan Il'ič's Death", "Father Sergij"; N. Leskov, "The Cathedral Folk", M. Saltykov-Shchedrin, "The Golovlyov Family", A. Chekhov, Selected Stories (e.g. "The Black Monk", "Ward N. 6", "The Bishop"), Plays: "The Seagull", "Uncle Vanya", "Three Sisters", "The Cherry Orchard".
5) Anthology of literary texts in Russian downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform; 6) PowerPoint presentations used in class during the lectures downloadable from the Ariel platform; 7) (if needed) other fragments of literary and critical texts mentioned during the lectures (downloadable from the Ariel platform).
8) The program for attending and for non-attending students is the same. Any essays for further reading in Russian or English may be requested.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, as a rule in Italian, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between teacher and student and reading in the original language, translation, and commentary of one or more short excerpts from the works scheduled. The interview lasts about 20-30 minutes. It aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and pieces, the ability of expression, the precision in the use of specific terminology, and 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 contact the teacher promptly.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities or with DSA must be agreed upon with the teacher in agreement with the competent office.
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 contact the teacher promptly.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities or with DSA must be agreed upon with the teacher in agreement with the competent office.
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