Russian 339
Masculinities in Russian Culture
Full course for one semester. The course examines how modern
Russian literature and arts represent and imagine normative
manhood. Employing theoretical frameworks from such fields as
anthropology, sociology, and literary theory, we will approach the
cultural elite’s notions of normative and defective masculinity as
historically variable cultural constructs. We will focus on
distinct types of masculinity characteristic of the several
historical trends and fashions: dueling, dandyism, nihilism,
decadence, and revolutionary activity. Special attention will be
paid to Stalinist and Postcommunist scenarios of masculinity.
Besides theoretical and historical works, the reading includes a
diverse set of texts (mostly literary but also cinematic and
visual) that represent and interpret the patterns of masculinity
that were or are prominent in Russia. From this perspective, we
will discuss the classics (including Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev,
Chernyshevsky, Chekhov, Babel, and Platonov) as well as
non-canonical and marginal literary products. Prerequisite:
students who wish to take the course for Russian credit must have
completed Russian 220 or obtain the consent of the instructor.
Conference. Cross-listed as Literature 339. Not offered 2005-06.
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