CHH555 The Golden Age of Russian Literature

This course provides an in-depth exploration of several key themes in Russian literature, focusing on the works of major 19th-century writers such as Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev, Dostoyevsky, and Tolstoy. Throughout the course, participants will engage with the socio-political and cultural trends that influenced Russian literature in the 19th century. Some of the topics include:

• Construction of Russian National Identity: Understanding how literature contributes to and critiques the formation of national identity.

• Emergence of Nihilism: Tracing the origins and development of nihilistic philosophy in Russian thought and literature.

• Russia and the West: Discussing the ongoing cultural and intellectual exchange between Russia and Western countries.