The Great Russian Novel (GE0061)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LLC-4-GRN

The course facilitates a critical engagement with the Russian novel of the 19th century. In 19th century Russia, the novel, both as an art form and an expression of the human condition reached as extraordinary level of development within a very short space of time. Whilst the remarkable works of fiction produced in this period form a unique picture of a society in a period of rapid change and flux, they are much more than this - they belong rightly to world literature and they have long been regarded as amongst the finest in their genre as well as pushing further the boundaries of the genre.

Following the brief 'Golden Age' of Pushkin and his gifted contemporaries, there emerged in rapid succession the disparate and remarkable talents of Gogol, Turgenev, Goncharov, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. The course will study selected works by these authors while paying particular attention to how in the absence of recognizable civil institutions in Russia, the novel and its associated body of literary polemics became the focal point for a debate about the whole range of human experience. Emphasis will be given to the role of the writer, the novels' reflection on development of Russian society and the place of Russia in the world.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

European Languages and Cultures - Russian Studies, (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	09:00	10:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : FIRST MEETING THURSDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
DAVID HUME TOWER 10.07 9AM - 11AM

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

-By the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the artistic, philosophical and socio-political characteristics of the Russian realist novel.
They will also be expected to show the ability:
-to recognise and acknowledge the complexity of the subject
-to show a good understanding of and apply competently complex conceptual frameworks
-to construct coherent arguments which demonstrate an awareness of the problems posed by the texts/ issues which they are studying
-to demonstrate a high level of expression in both written and oral presentations
-to demonstrate the mastery of relevant technical terminology and research methods
-to carry out personal research under the guidance of the tutor and offer evidence of research initiative
-to offer alternative perspectives, identify and accommodate ambiguities and show an awareness of nuance
-to develop original ideas
-to demonstrate an awareness of the research agenda relating to the topic.