True Fictions: Russian Prose since 1900

Catalog description

Survey of Russian prose fiction of the twentieth and early twenty-first century. During this time Russia experienced a series of dizzying changes in society and culture. Against this backdrop of tumultuous change, Russian writers responded, often more rapidly and insightfully than the state's cultural/political ideologues themselves. As we examine the continuing development of Russian prose in this period, we will consider topics such as literary experimentation and "revolution" and its aftermath; the interaction of the Russian writer with both their historical time and a larger literary tradition; and the (re)creation of times and places, real and imagined. Course provides a history of Russian prose fiction after 1900, explores various theories of analytical reading of imaginative prose, and hones writing skills about evaluative reading. Readings, lecture and discussion in English; no previous knowledge of Russian literature is assumed. Credit Hour s : 3 Recommended: Sophomore standing