RUSSIAN LITERATURE 2

The course is entitled: 'The Golden Age of Russian Novel'.
Through the close reading of some pivotal works of Russian realism, the aim is to develop the student's skills in the thematic and stylistic analysis of literary texts (in Italian), as well as to provide specific knowledge of the emblematic issues of 19th century politics, society and customs, with particular attention to its central part, ranging from the Decabrist revolt (1825) to the end of the reign of Alexander II (1881); special attention is paid to the historical background against which the phenomena of literary culture in the period studied are set. The achievement of these objectives allows the student to have the basis for the study of other epochs of Russian culture and for the possible subsequent in-depth study of individual aspects and protagonists.

This teaching falls within the characterising educational activities of the Degree Course in Languages, Civilisations and Language Sciences (cultural-literary curriculum) that enable students to deepen their knowledge of the literary and cultural heritage of the two chosen languages.

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 expected; 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 "basic module" and a monographic module of 30 hours each.
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, also with the help of critical essays, in order to provide an understanding of the role of literature and the writer in the intellectual history and Russian society of the so-called "great era of realism". 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 examination is divided into two parts: 1) a detailed exposition of the plot and analysis of the themes and style of a portion of L. Tolstoy's "War and Peace"; 2) questioning of the other novels in the context of their time.
Attendees may take part 1 of the exam during class time, according to the instructions received from the lecturer at the beginning of the course and made public on the Moodle space; those who cannot come to the classroom 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 examination all students will prepare on ALL the texts of the BASIC MODULE (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY) in their entirety. The teacher will start by proposing an extract from one of the primary texts, asking students to recognise and comment on it on the basis of the stylistic and thematic peculiarities they recognise; after that, other questions will be asked to test their knowledge of the other texts, BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY.
The two parts of the examination will each account for 50 % of the final grade, which will depend on the appropriateness of the content, the ability to argue and to make CONNECTIONS WITH THE CRITICAL ESSAYS, 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...). In the module on "War and Peace", each student who regularly attends class will have to make an oral report in turn, which will then be discussed by the lecturer and the students present in the classroom, noting strengths and weaknesses in the analysis. Students will in any case be invited by the lecturer to intervene with observations and questions as much as possible.

Italian

Students who do not have the opportunity to complete their preparation in class by attending lectures are invited to have at least one talk with the lecturer (in person or online).

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