Literature provided the primary medium for political, philosophical, and religious debate in nineteenth-century Russia. In this course, we will examine the place of literature, and especially of the novel, in Russian society and how the literary process shaped writers, readers, and texts. By tracing the evolution of the novel in Russia during the nineteenth century, we will develop an understanding of Russian culture and its vital contribution to world literature. Readings by Karamzin, Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov. All readings will be in English. As part of the Critical Reasoning and Analytical Skills initiative, this course will focus on developing students' ability to analyze literature objectively and to interpret literature in both written and oral argumentation. Requirements: active class participation, frequent short papers, class presentations, and a final research project. No prerequisites. Enrollment is limited to 20. (This course is part of the Critical Reasoning and Analytical Skills initiative. )