Let us be enthused by the Russian eighteenth century, a "century that proceeded at cinematographic speed"! Behind the stereotype of an epoch characterized by ornaments and formulas we will unearth a world that is diverse, surprising, and rich in experimentations. We will delve into the visual arts, poetry, satire, erotic poetry, the beginnings of autobiography and prose, and theatrical production. We will explore the Belarusian and Ukrainian contributions to Russian literature and delve into the presence and representation of femininity in politics, culture, and literature. Together, we will discover a century that speaks to us in redefining the place of the individual in society, the function of education and law, the role of literature and its interaction with politics, and the intertwining of literature with other forms of art. We will investigate issues such as: What are the connections between 18th-century Russian imperial literature and 17th-century Belarusian and Ukrainian literatures? How do authors define the features, genres, and roles of literature? How do women contribute to cultural life?
3-5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
Let us be enthused by the Russian eighteenth century, a "century that proceeded at cinematographic speed"! Behind the stereotype of an epoch characterized by ornaments and formulas we will unearth a world that is diverse, surprising, and rich in experimentations. We will delve into the visual arts, poetry, satire, erotic poetry, the beginnings of autobiography and prose, and theatrical production. We will explore the Belarusian and Ukrainian contributions to Russian literature and delve into the presence and representation of femininity in politics, culture, and literature. Together, we will discover a century that speaks to us in redefining the place of the individual in society, the function of education and law, the role of literature and its interaction with politics, and the intertwining of literature with other forms of art. We will investigate issues such as: What are the connections between 18th-century Russian imperial literature and 17th-century Belarusian and Ukrainian literatures? How do authors define the features, genres, and roles of literature? How do women contribute to cultural life?
Offered in Spring 2026 at Stanford University.