Russian 124 - Beyond the "Golden Age": Russian Literature of the Nineteenth Century

Often referred to as the "Golden Age," the nineteenth-century of Russian literature boasts some of the most famous and influential works of world literature. The poems, novels, and dramas pose important questions about imperialism, gender, class, and social organization that still inform our modern conversations on the topics. Such authors as Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, Leo Tolstoy, Evgeniia Tur, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anton Chekhov offer works that are profoundly thought provoking and also incredibly enjoyable reads. This course will survey some of the major works of this period and tradition, presenting the texts within their sociocultural and political contexts. We will also consider other modes of artistic creation that flourished in this era, such as ballet and opera. While this course presents canonical works of the nineteenth century, students will also gain exposure to texts that push back against dominant narratives about the long nineteenth century. 

No knowledge of Russian or Russian literature is needed for this course. All works will be read in English translation, with additional optional sessions for students wishing to read all or some of the texts in the original Russian.

Fall 2025. Visiting Assistant Professor Donohoe.

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Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Emphasis on written work, readings, independent research, oral presentations, visual analysis.