RUSSIAN LITERATURE 2

Academic year
2022/2023 Syllabus of previous years
Official course title
LETTERATURA RUSSA 2
Course code
LT004X (AF:356401 AR:208064)
Modality
On campus classes
ECTS credits
12
Degree level
Bachelor's Degree Programme
Educational sector code
L-LIN/21
Period
1st Semester
Course year
2
Where
VENEZIA
Moodle
Go to Moodle page
The course is entitled: 'The Golden Age of Russian Literature'.
We intend to provide the student with the basic tools to read some pivotal texts of Russian realism and link them to some emblematic issues of 19th century politics, society and customs, with a particular focus on its central part, which runs from the Decembrist uprising (1825) to the end of the reign of Alexander II (1881).
This module is taught as part of the "Language, Civilisation and Language Sciences" degree programme (cultural-literary curriculum), and its objectives are therefore in line with the general objectives of the degree: to develop the ability to reflect on the historical and cultural processes of 19th-century Russia and to provide basic methodological tools for the analysis of literary texts in prose. Particular attention is devoted to the historical background against which the phenomena of literary culture in the period studied are set. The achievement of these objectives enables the student to have the basis for the study of other epochs of Russian culture and the possible subsequent in-depth study of individual aspects and protagonists.
1. Knowledge and understanding:
- Knowledge of basic critical-literary terminology and understanding of texts using it;
- Knowledge of the main literary, artistic and cultural phenomena in Russia in the 19th century;
- Knowledge and understanding of the historical and cultural development process of Russia in the 19th century;
- knowledge of the main methodologies of analysing the literary object;
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
- ability to correctly use critical-literary terminology in all processes of application and communication of the acquired knowledge;
- ability to place a literary object relating to the period studied in its historical-cultural context;
- ability to apply the methodologies of analysis for understanding the society and culture that produced the studied object;
- ability to autonomously initiate a close examination of specific cases using a methodology of analysis of the literary object.
3. Judgement capacity:
Knowing how to formulate and argue simple interpretative hypotheses of literary texts, also developing a critical approach to the evaluation of alternative hypotheses.
4. Communication skills:
- To know how to communicate the specifics of critical-literary reflection, using appropriate terminology;
- know how to interact with the teacher in a critical and respectful manner, in presence and in written communication.
5. Learning skills:
- to know how to orientate oneself in the use of bibliographical tools and in the places where they are stored (libraries and databases);
- knowing how to critically consult reference texts and the bibliography they contain.
A basic knowledge of the historical and cultural evolution of the East Slavic peoples from the foundation of Kievan Rus' up to the first half of the 19th century, as outlined in Ca' Foscari course "Russian Literature 1", is assumed; for those who need it, the main notions can be retrieved by reading: P. Bushkovitch, "Breve storia della Russia", Turin, Einaudi, 2013, pp. 3-215; ; S. De Vidovich, "Letteratura russa", Milan, Vallardi, 2011, pp. 47-163. the knowledge of the Russian language is not necessary.
The course is divided between a "lecture module" and a monographic module.
The previous one deals with a reflection on some central themes of Russian literature between 1825 and 1881, tackling a selection of 19th century literary texts both in verse and prose from with the aim of providing an understanding of the role of literature and the writer in the intellectual history and Russian society of the so-called "great realism" era. Specifically, we will examine: the contribution they represent to the ideological debates taking place in Russian society from the time of Alexander I to the end of the century; the social and cultural issues that lie at the heart of the narrative (in particular: the problem of serfdom, the progressive decay of the aristocratic class and the advent of the bourgeoisie); the place they occupy in the literary evolution of the time.
The monographic module will focus on the close reading (in Italian translation) of "War and Peace" by Lev Tolstoi. The work will be read and analysed in class, including reports by the students.
If you need a bibliography wholly in English, please contact the lecturer.
The oral exam is divided into two parts: 1) a detailed exposition of the plot, themes and style of a portion of "War and Peace" by L. Tolstoi; 2) an exposition of a "major topic" of the 19th century.
Attending students may take part 1 of the exam "in itinere" (during classroom lessons) according to the instructions they will receive from the lecturer at the beginning of the course and made public on the Moodle space; non-attending students must contact the lecturer AT LEAST three months before the session in which they intend to take the exam in order to agree on the portion of "War and Peace" to prepare for.
For part 2 of the exam, all students will prepare on one of the three topics addressed during the course (Superfluous Man, Petersburg Text, Caucasus), studying the corresponding reference texts. The teacher will start by proposing an excerpt from one of the literary texts of the subject on which the student has prepared, asking him to recognize it and comment on it based on the stylistic and thematic peculiarities he recognizes; after which the student will go on to illustrate the chosen theme, quoting from the corresponding literary works and essays to corroborate his statements.
The two parts of the exam will each account for 50 % of the final grade, which will depend on the appropriateness of the contents, the ability to argue, the clarity of exposition and linguistic accuracy.
Each examination may last a maximum of 25 minutes (for those who have taken part 1 in the classroom) and 40 minutes (for those who must also take part 1).
Lectures, sometimes with the aid of multimedia supports (video, ppt, etc.). In the lessons devoted to "War and Peace", each attending student will have to make an oral report in turn, which will then be discussed by the lecturer and the students that will be present in the classroom, noting strengths and weaknesses in the analysis. Students will however be invited by the lecturer to take part with observations and questions as much as possible.
Italian
For a proper preparation of the oral exam, non-attending students (including students of special categories) are encouraged to have at least one talk with the lecturer (in person or online).
oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development

Definitive programme.
Last update of the programme: 06/10/2022