Intelligentsia in Imperial & Soviet Russia: Myths and Realities

This writing course examines the depiction of the Russian intelligentsia in culture from the 19th century in Imperial Russia until the collapse of the Soviet Union. Through film, media, and literature, students will examine the role that the intelligentsia played in Russian history and its inflection points and investigate mechanisms of intelligentsia myth construction in the national collective consciousness. The course incorporates literary and nonliterary works, films, and TV broadcasts. One day a week will be devoted to discussions of student papers. Special attention will be paid to syntax. Counts as a course in culture and civilization OR language and linguistics.