2023 Fall
SLAVIC 36 001 - LEC 001
Formerly 39
Great Books of Russian Literature
Great Works of Russian Literature
Lyubov Golburt, Semyon Leonenko
Aug 23, 2023 - Dec 08, 2023
Mo, We, Fr
01:00 pm - 01:59 pm
Social Sciences Building 54
Class #:30708
Units:3
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
Slavic Languages and Literatures
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
1
Enrolled: 19
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 20
Waitlist Max: 3
No Reserved Seats
Hours & Workload
6 hours of outside work hours, and 3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials.
Final Exam
WED, DECEMBER 13TH
07:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Social Sciences Building 54
Other classes by Lyubov Golburt
Course Catalog Description
Readings in English of representative texts from the Russian literary tradition. Variable topics.
Class Description
This course explores a particular cluster of definitions for what reading a “great book” might mean. The texts that we will read together a) are experimental in form; b) rich in ethical value; c) reflect upon major historical events; c) depict everyday private experience; d) have had a thorny history of creation and reception; and e) have made it into the Russian literary canon. We will test these criteria while examining Leo Tolstoy’s genre-defying War and Peace and sampling from Isaac Babel's collection of short stories Red Cavalry. We will train ourselves to read texts closely and carefully, but in the process also learn about key events in Russian history of the past two centuries.
No knowledge of Russian language or literature is required. This is a course centered on reading and interpretation, so students are expected to complete all readings on time, to make frequent contributions to class discussions, and to write papers.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat Rules
Requirements class fulfills
Meets Arts & Literature, L&S Breadth
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
No Reserved Seats
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials
Associated Sections
None