HIST 439(S) Personality, Society, and Identity in Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Russian Thought
This seminar studies the movements and themes of Russian thought from the
Enlightenment to 1917, situating works of Russian philosophy and literature,
when appropriate, within the broader context of Western intellectual traditions.
We will explore how ideas about human nature and society inspired and gave
meaning to political reform, terrorism, and revolution in the nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries, and ponder their relevance in Russia today. The course covers themes such as the individual and society, morality and love, and time and
eschatology, as well as topics like: the problem of national identity, conservatism
and radicalism, the forging of the intelligentsia" tradition, the commercialization of culture, and revolutionary language in 1917. Readings include texts by
Pushkin, Belinsky, Dostoevsky, Herzen, Tolstoy, Solvyov, Berdiaev, as well as
modernist works (Bely, Blok, Ivanov) and Marxist writings (Plekhanov, Bogdanov, Lenin). We also will read secondary historical literature, watch films, and
listen to music in order to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural environment in which our primary sources were written and the ways social ideals and
types were disseminated.
Format: seminar. Knowledge of Russian is NOT a prerequisite for this course.
Evaluation will be based on class participation, several oral presentations and
short preliminary writing assignments, and a final research paper.
No prerequisites. No enrollment limit (expected 5-9). Preference will be given to
History and Russian Studies majors.
Group B