LFU:online

The course provides an overview of the literary periods, authors and works that influenced Russian culture in the 19th century and whose impact is still felt today.

In the 19th century, the first Russian writers appear on the European literary stage and gain acclaim beyond the borders of the Russian Empire. For many in this part of the world, and even for many Russian readers, Russian literature still means Pushkin and Gogol, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. These and other ‘stars’ form the subject of this lecture course. It traces the key literary periods of the 19th century – particularly romanticism and realism – and places the literary works in their historical context. Issues addressed include the fascination with the Caucasus shared by many Russian writers; subjects like work, economics and the emancipation of women which appear in fiction mainly after the Crimean war, and also the development of poetic techniques.

Lecture course; reading the course material is a requirement.

Written (test)

K. Städtke, Ästhetisches Denken in Russland. Kultursituation und Literaturkritik. Berlin, Weimar 1978; K. Städtke (Hrsg.), Geschichte der russischen Literatur. Stuttgart [et al.] 2002; H.-J. Torke, Einführung in die Geschichte Russlands. München 1997; H. Haumann, Geschichte Russlands. München 1996

Due to substantial differences in the allocation of ECTS-Credits in various curricula (teacher training programs/specialized degree programs), the requirements for this course vary. Information will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the course.