Literature of Ongoing Catastrophe: Writing Laboratory

Catalog description

This course is both a deep exploration and a creative journey into contemporary Russian literature born out of the catastrophic realities of war, repression, and societal upheaval. Students will immerse themselves in poetry, prose, plays, reportage, diaries, manifestos, and letters to uncover how writers document crises and create a voice for those silenced. Beyond analysis, this is a laboratory - a space to experiment with your own creative responses to the themes explored. Each week, we’ll examine literary works, discuss the cultural and historical contexts that shape them, and engage in writing workshops designed to ignite your imagination. Together, we will explore literature not only as a mirror to broken reality but also as a form of resistance and a tool for survival. By the conclusion of the course, students will collaboratively prepare a bilingual Russian-English anthology of texts, created jointly with students of the Free University (Russia, working in exile). This anthology will combine translations, original creative writing, and critical reflections, serving as both an academic and cultural contribution. Satisfies Global Literary Theory requirement. Satisfies Russian Studies major and minor requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Completion of: WRI 101 and LTRQ