Professor: Jenifer Presto
4 credits
This course will provide you with an introduction to some of the great works of Russian literature and film through a focus on the art of the fantastic. Literary theorist Tzvetan Todorov has suggested that the fantastic should be viewed primarily in formal terms as a genre or mode that inspires the reader’s hesitation about the plausibility of the events presented. We will challenge Todorov’s largely formalistic understanding of the fantastic by highlighting its social and political uses. In Russia, writers and artists have had to contend with government censorship, and it was often the fantastic that provided them with the best vehicle to address problems in society. Our discussions will consider not only the formal and stylistic aspects of the texts under discussion, but also their social and political implications. In addition to fostering an appreciation for Russian literature and culture, this course will enable you to work on your analytical, writing, and oral presentation skills—skills that will be of great importance in and beyond college.