Russian Literature
A.Y. 2026/2027
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.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is intended for Master's degree students. It focuses on the relationship between literature and the figurative arts, especially graphics and painting. The theme is crucial for understanding both the literature of the so-called "Petersburg phase" (1700-1917) of Russian culture and the entire spectrum of contemporary European art that was inspired by the 20th-century Russian avant-garde. After outlining the theoretical premises of the interconnection of the various arts in Classicist and pre-Romantic thought, the first part will address various aspects of the relationship between literature and painting in the Realist phase, from the construction of the "Russian national landscape" to the presence of paintings from the European tradition in the work of F. Dostoevsky, to the tragic and exemplary fate of the painter Pavel Fedotov. The next two parts will address the theoretical elaborations and artistic achievements of Modernism and the Avant-garde (Symbolism, Futurism, Rayonism, Pavel Filonov, Oleg Larionov, Natalia Goncharova, Kazimir Malevich, Elena Guro, and Olga Rozanova), which intertwined verbal and visual art, sacred, folkloric, and authorial tradition in a variety of ways, always resulting in highly original achievements.
The course provides 9 ETS. Those who wish to acquire only 6 ETS can choose 2 of the 3 parts.
The course program is generally valid until September 2028 for students who attended the course or agreed to the program as non-attending students within the current academic year. Normally, the program can no longer be chosen by non-attending students after the start of the new course.
The course provides 9 ETS. Those who wish to acquire only 6 ETS can choose 2 of the 3 parts.
The course program is generally valid until September 2028 for students who attended the course or agreed to the program as non-attending students within the current academic year. Normally, the program can no longer be chosen by non-attending students after the start of the new course.
Prerequisites for admission
The course will be held in Italian with readings in Russian. The syllabus presupposes solid knowledge of the Russian language, literary history, and critical terminology. Therefore, it is suitable only for students who have already completed a three-year course with Russian as an A or B language. It is highly recommended to attend the lectures regularly and participate in the common work.
Teaching methods
The course employs the following teaching methods: class lectures, reading, analysis and contextualization of passages from the works on the syllabus, and individual presentations made by students.
Teaching Resources
This list of reference materials is provisional.
The course has a website on the MyAriel online teaching platform, which is available for a more complete and final version of the syllabus (immediately before, during, and at the end of the course, respectively).
· Literary works:
Fragments in Russian or in translation of the various authors discussed in class (on ARIEL)
One or more complete literary works to be chosen from a list to be defined later and read in Russian, English/French/German, or Italian for further study.
· Mandatory critical text for all:
Michaela Böhmig, "La letteratura e le altre arti," in Storia della Civiltà letteraria russa, II, Torino, UTET, 1997, pp. 635-670.
· Specific essays on individual authors or movements in Italian, English, or Russian (list and text on ARIEL or to be obtained individually) considered during the course and/or to be used for further study.
e.g., Molly Brunson, Russian Realism: Literature and Painting, 1840-1890, Cornell University Press, 2016.
Katriona Kelly & a. (ed.), Russian Literature, Modernism and the Visual Arts, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000
· Lecture notes and slides edited by the instructor are available on the Ariel platform starting on the day of the lecture.
The curriculum for non-attending students is the same as that for attending students, but the final project will be individual and presented in written form.
The course has a website on the MyAriel online teaching platform, which is available for a more complete and final version of the syllabus (immediately before, during, and at the end of the course, respectively).
· Literary works:
Fragments in Russian or in translation of the various authors discussed in class (on ARIEL)
One or more complete literary works to be chosen from a list to be defined later and read in Russian, English/French/German, or Italian for further study.
· Mandatory critical text for all:
Michaela Böhmig, "La letteratura e le altre arti," in Storia della Civiltà letteraria russa, II, Torino, UTET, 1997, pp. 635-670.
· Specific essays on individual authors or movements in Italian, English, or Russian (list and text on ARIEL or to be obtained individually) considered during the course and/or to be used for further study.
e.g., Molly Brunson, Russian Realism: Literature and Painting, 1840-1890, Cornell University Press, 2016.
Katriona Kelly & a. (ed.), Russian Literature, Modernism and the Visual Arts, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000
· Lecture notes and slides edited by the instructor are available on the Ariel platform starting on the day of the lecture.
The curriculum for non-attending students is the same as that for attending students, but the final project will be individual and presented in written form.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, in Italian or in Russian, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between teacher and student and discussion with reference to literary and critical texts read by the student.
The final assessment will include an essay (PPP) on an author or work, based on a bibliography agreed upon with the teacher. This work is mandatory for both 6 and 9 credits and can be presented in class in the last weeks of the course. The work may be completed individually or in pairs.
The interview lasts about 30 minutes. It aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to contextualise 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 upon with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
The final assessment will include an essay (PPP) on an author or work, based on a bibliography agreed upon with the teacher. This work is mandatory for both 6 and 9 credits and can be presented in class in the last weeks of the course. The work may be completed individually or in pairs.
The interview lasts about 30 minutes. It aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to contextualise 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 upon with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
SLAV-01/A - Slavic Studies - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Rossi Laura
Part C
SLAV-01/A - Slavic Studies - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Rossi Laura
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