Pushkin	Lermontov	Turgenev	Gogol	Dostoevsky	Tolstoy	Chekhov

Russian 230: Introduction to Russian Literature in Translation (Fall 2009)

Prof. Tatiana Osipovich Office: Miller 325 (tel. x7442; e-mail: tatiana@lclark.edu)

Office hours: MW: 11:30-12:30pm; TTH 3:30-4:30 and by appointment

Objectives:

This survey introduces students to Russian literature's greatest poets, writers and thinkers: Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Bulgakov, Akhmatova, and others. Students are encouraged to do close textual analysis, and to gain an understanding of literary structure and form as well as thematic content. The relationship between style and structure is emphasized along with the connections between theme, genre, historical context, and social issues. Students learn to analyze and interpret literary texts in class discussions, as well as in their reader's journals and papers.

Required texts and other resources:

• The Portable Nineteenth-Century Russian Reader, ed. by G. Gibian, Penguin Books, 1993
• The Portable Twentieth-Century Russian Reader, ed. by C. Brown, Penguin Books, 1985
• Bulgakov, Mikhail, The Master and Margarita, Vintage, 1995
• Dostoevsky, Fyodor, Notes From the Underground, Dover, 1992
• Electronic reserve readings & videos on the reserve shelf: http://library.lclark.edu/reserves/index.htm
• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on the Web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia
• The online literary encyclopedia: http://www.litencyc.com/ & the dictionary at: http://www.answers.com/

Course requirements and grading:

1. You are expected to complete all reading assignments prior to class, attend class regularly, and participate actively in our discussions. I do not believe there is one monolithic approach to any piece of literature: the purpose of a literature class is to learn the skill of interpretation and analysis. The give and take of class discussion is the ideal way to achieve these goals. 2. You will write a six-page essay and a ten-page term paper on a topic related to Russian literature (an analysis of any literary text, theme, character, device, etc.). Students unfamiliar with the MLA Handbook are advised to acquaint themselves with it, for it clearly sets out the acceptable format for paper writing and defines appropriate means of documenting use of other people's ideas and materials. It is students' responsibility to familiarize themselves with Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures at Lewis and Clark and strictly observe them. Any infractions will be penalized according to these rules (http://www.lclark.edu/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?policproc.dat) 3. You will write a journal entry for each class meeting (it must be typed, dated, and turned in at the end of each class). These entries will help you formulate critical responses and practice textual analysis. They will be used to start our class discussions. You will not be graded on the content of the journal as you are with your term paper. You will be graded on whether or not you do the journal, and whether you follow the instructions outlined below. 1. Your Russian lit. journal is a personal record of your educational experience in this class. Use this journal to record your reactions to readings and class discussions, to argue with your teacher or peers, to pose questions or to express confusion. (Don’t retell the text you read). 2. Vary the focus and the mode of your writing. You can write about a passage, a character, a major idea of the text, or any other aspect of your reading. Remember that journal writing should not look like a “paper.” In structure, journal entries are informal: they don’t need traditional introductions with thesis statements, supporting paragraphs or standard summary conclusions. They should sound like you, talking (see one of the logs at: Lit.log.htm). But there are some “musts:” your journal entries should be developed with some specifics, not generalizations or summaries, and they should demonstrate reflection.

If you have a disability that may impact your academic performance, you may request accommodations by submitting documentation
to the Student Support Services Office in the Albany Quadrangle (x7156). Read more about this policy at: http://www.lclark.edu/offices/student_support_services

Grading policy:

I encourage you to come and see me after class or during my office hours if you have any questions, suggestions, problems, complaints, or just to chat. I will be most pleased to take time to listen to you and exchange ideas with you.

I reserve the right to make changes in this syllabus if necessary. You, of course, will be informed of the changes.

Reading assignments (abbreviation: GG - George Gibian anthology; CB, Clarence Brown anthology)

Gippius	Teffi	Babel	Bulgakov	Akhmatova	Solzhenitsyn	Tolstaya