Russian Literature 3
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course is reserved for third year students and aims to complete the presentation of the literary and cultural history of Russia carried out in the two previous courses. An introduction to Russian history between the late nineteenth and early twentieth century is proposed, with particular attention, on the one hand, to the political context, and on the other to the different artistic currents that animated the Russian cultural scene of the early twentieth century; in a second stage the course offers an in-depth study of single authors and literary works or thematic paths of particular importance.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: The student demonstrates full knowledge of the main facts of Russian social history and Russian literature of the studied period. Skills: The student achieves good proficiency in the analysis of the thematic and formal elements of the literary text and is able to re-elaborate the problems faced during the course and of the critical essays examined.
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 "House and Anti-House in the Works of Mikhail Bulgakov." It consists of the following three parts, which will be addressed sequentially: a) Introduction to the historical and literary panorama, from the death of Alexander III to the civil war of 1918-1920. b) Introduction to the life and works of Mikhail Bulgakov. c) The Redemption of the House: History of Composition and Poetics in "The Master and Margarita." The course grants 9 ECTS. Therefore, all students must complete the program (parts A, B, and C). Part A will retrace the critical stages of Russian history and literary civilization from the 1890s to the civil war. During this part of the course, the instructor will provide basic knowledge, essential interpretative categories, and the necessary methodological tools to facilitate subsequent personal exploration, which remains the student's responsibility. A section of part A will be dedicated to reading, analyzing, and commenting on lyrical texts in their original language. Part B will examine the biography and literary beginnings of Mikhail Bulgakov. Part C will explore Bulgakov's masterpiece, "The Master and Margarita."
Prerequisites for admission
The materials and the exam bibliography require specific skills in Russian literary history, use of terminology, and critical analysis acquired in previous courses. Knowledge of the Russian language (A2-B1) is an indispensable requirement for analyzing the original texts.
Teaching methods
During the course the following teaching methods will be employed: frontal lessons; shared analysis and reflection on the texts; viewing and commenting on audiovisual materials.
Teaching Resources
The course has a site on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://ariel.unimi.it/). Compulsory reading works for each of the teaching units are indicated below.
Part A
Storia della civiltà letteraria russa, a cura di M. Colucci e R. Picchio, UTET, Torino 1997, vol. II (selection of chapters, as indicated by the instructor).
N. Werth, A History of Twentieth-Century Russia (up to the end of World War II).
A choice of one text (in any edition) from the following options:
Sologub, The Petty Demon.
E. Zamjatin, We.
M. Zoshchenko, Sentimental and Satirical Stories .
B. Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago.
Additionally, an anthology of poetic texts (in Russian), available on Ariel. Part B All of the following texts by M. Bulgakov are mandatory: The White Guard. Morphine. The Heart of a Dog.
Critical essays: V. Shklovsky, Art as Technique. Yu. Lotman, The House in "The Master and Margarita".
Part C
Mandatory:
M. Bulgakov, The Master and Margarita
Selection of pages from the original Russian version of Master i Margarita (available on Ariel).
Additional materials (slides, videos) will be made available on Ariel. Exam program for non-attending students Similar to attending students, with the exception that the choice of texts should be two from the aforementioned list.
Part A
Storia della civiltà letteraria russa, a cura di M. Colucci e R. Picchio, UTET, Torino 1997, vol. II (selection of chapters, as indicated by the instructor).
N. Werth, A History of Twentieth-Century Russia (up to the end of World War II).
A choice of one text (in any edition) from the following options:
Sologub, The Petty Demon.
E. Zamjatin, We.
M. Zoshchenko, Sentimental and Satirical Stories .
B. Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago.
Additionally, an anthology of poetic texts (in Russian), available on Ariel. Part B All of the following texts by M. Bulgakov are mandatory: The White Guard. Morphine. The Heart of a Dog.
Critical essays: V. Shklovsky, Art as Technique. Yu. Lotman, The House in "The Master and Margarita".
Part C
Mandatory:
M. Bulgakov, The Master and Margarita
Selection of pages from the original Russian version of Master i Margarita (available on Ariel).
Additional materials (slides, videos) will be made available on Ariel. Exam program for non-attending students Similar to attending students, with the exception that the choice of texts should be two from the aforementioned list.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher and the analysis and commentary of one or more excerpts taken from the works scheduled. The interview has a variable duration and takes place in Italian. Students will also have to demonstrate that they can correctly read and analyze poems in Russian. The interview aims to check the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works and to use 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 refuse 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, according to the competent Office.
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, according to the competent Office.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)