Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures

Slavic 218Y, Ukrainian Literature and Culture, 2013–2014

Class meets Tuesdays 2:00–4:00 PM in Alunmni Hall Rm 206

Course Description

The primary function of the course is to introduce the student to the broad range of artistic, historical, and social issues that influence the development of Ukrainian culture from the Christianization of Kyivan Rus' to the present. Among the issues explored in the course are: East vs. West; borrowing or translating; backwardness, provinciality and colonialism; one culture in two countries; individual vs. national values; religion, language, nationality and identity. Among the cultural periods covered are Kyivan Rus', the Orthodox revival, romanticism, realism, modernism, the 1920s, the Soviet period, and contemporary, independent Ukraine. The course covers a wide range of literary works in a variety of genres and on a variety of subjects.

Term papers are due at the last class, April 1, 2014, in class. Late papers will be penalized three percentage points for every day they are late up to April 8. No paper will be accepted after April 8. Papers are to be 8-10 pages, typed, double spaced, and in English. Papers are to be written on topics approved by the instructor.

The Mid-Term Exam is a one-hour, in-class exam on the last day of class before the winter vacation. It will include a take-home compontent.

The Concluding Test is a one-hour, in-class exam on the last day of class before the end of term. It will include a take-home component.

Class Presentations are oral reports before the class on works other than those read by the class as a whole. Students must choose a work of literature from the list of suggested readings. Students are to give an oral presentation of from ten to fifteen minutes. Presentations should be constructed as a general overview of the work and its author along with a subjective evaluation of the most salient features of the work. Presentations are scheduled on a first come first served basis within normal class meetings in the spring term. No more than two presentations per class meeting. Email the instructor to reserve a date.