LFU:online

The course provides an overview of individual literary works, issues, tendencies and stylistic forms that characterize Russian literature of the 18th and 19th century.

This STEOP course is aimed at first-year students and provides an overview of Russian literature of the 18th and 19th century. This period is particularly exciting because Russian literature was first 'invented' in the 18th century in the course of Peter the Great's reforms and initially - i.e. in classicism and sentimentalism - imitated Western models. In the 19th century, Russian literature then emancipates itself and is also perceived internationally. Puškin and Gogol', Dostoevskij and Tolstoj are still regarded by many Western and Russian readers as the epitome of Russian literature, and the plays of Čechov are still performed all over the world in the 21st century.

The lecture outlines the characteristics of the literary periods of Classicism, Sentimentalism (both 18th century), Romanticism, and Realism (19th century). Individual literary works, issues, tendencies, and stylistic forms will be addressed. Special attention is paid to the tension between individual self-realization and imperial desires of the state, which determined Russian literature (not only) in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Flipped classroom -- short video lectures are used as preparatory materials. Students read literary texts in self-study and work on assignments; attendance times are exclusively for plenary discussions and follow-up questions about the assignments.

Written examination

A bibliography is supplied at the start of the semester.