4:00-5:15 MW OP 1054:00-5:15 OP 105
This course will present works of Russian literature, from the
earliest period of Russian culture to the twentieth century, selected
for their relevance to a central concern of much of Russian culture,
the definition of a heroic figure and the relation of such a figure
to the historical development of Russia.  In the context of the
Russian cultural tradition, the attempt to define a hero or heroine
has often drawn on figures derived from earlier Russian literature
and culture.  In historical and political developments in Russia
including the emergence of the individual, the rise of political
opposition, and the question of sexual roles, these prior literary
models are often re-introduced, sometimes in modified or disguised
form, to support an answer to the recurrent question of "What is to
Be Done?", that is, what sort of heroes and heroines, what values,
and what course(s) of action are best suited to Russia's historical
situation at a given moment.  In examining various responses to this
problem, works by Pushkin, Tolstoi, Dostoevskii, and others will be
examined.  Literary and historical topics will be supplemented by
visual material especially painting and film.

In various short written projects, students will have the opportunity
to explore the interrelations not only among works of literature but
also between the readings and non-literary materials.