Russian 281 - Dangerous Texts: Political Dissent in Literature

This course examines literary works that generated extraordinary controversy in Russia and beyond, texts whose publication was suppressed for decades or resulted in severe consequences for their authors—ranging from stigmatization as "revolutionaries" and "moral degenerates" to imprisonment, exile, or professional ostracism. Through close readings of works by a diverse array of voices—from Alexander Pushkin and Leo Tolstoy to Alexander Solzhenitsyn and contemporary figures like Alexei Navalny and Pussy Riot—as well as other writers, poets, rock musicians, journalists, and philosophers, we will analyze the complex relationship between artistic expression and political resistance. The course explores several key questions: What motivated these authors to risk presenting politically charged works to the public? Were they fully cognizant of the potential repercussions? We will examine why specific elements of these texts were perceived as threats to contemporary political orders, compare their reception in Russian versus European and North American contexts, and investigate the rationale behind the harsh suppression they faced. The course ultimately addresses fundamental questions about literature's capacity to function as a catalyst for social change: How does literature shape public consciousness? To what extent can it transform individual perspectives? What role does it play in mobilizing political dissent? What kind of moral or aesthetic authority does an artist assert in the face of the state? Through these investigations, students will develop a deeper understanding of the intersection between literary expression and political power.

Fall semester. Visiting Assistant Professor Mayofis.

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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, group projects.