Delivered at:: School of Philological Studies

Course type:: Elective course

When:: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Instructor

Flaherty, Jennifer J.

Full Syllabus

Abstract

“Charity and Poverty in Russian Literature” is a two-module elective course that introduces major works on the theme of charity and poverty in Russian Literature and European Thought. The course teaches methods of literary analysis alongside cultural and intellectual history, developing the professional skills acquired by students in the previous year and other courses.

Learning Objectives

To present texts which engage the theme of charity in a historical sequence.
To outline influential philosophies and historical situations that shaped the practice of charity specifically in its relationship to literature.
To develop an appreciation of the mutual influence between literature and social changes.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to employ social history and theory as a tool for analyzing literature.
Students will recognize major changes in the concept of charity across nineteenth-century texts.
Students will recognize the role of narrative form in shaping social relationships and expectations.

Course Contents

Introduction: Charity and Poverty in Historical Perspective
“Giving by Feeling” in Sentimentalism
The Rural Poor in Rural Poetry
Fears of the Urban Poor in Drama
Charity, Religion, and Economic Inequality at the Turn of the 20th Century
Literature and Social Betterment in the Enlightenment
Reformism, Poverty and Power in the European Novel

Assessment Elements

class performance (Ungraded written assignments, class participation, discussions)
Essay
Major (high-stake) quizzes
Oral presentation (graded)

Interim Assessment

2021/2022 2nd module
0.15 * Oral presentation (graded) + 0.4 * class performance (Ungraded written assignments, class participation, discussions) + 0.3 * Essay + 0.15 * Major (high-stake) quizzes

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Былое и думы. [Т.1]: Ч.1-5, Герцен, А. И., 2008
Былое и думы. [Т.2]: Ч.6-8, Герцен, А. И., 2008

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Былое и думы. Т. 2, Ч. 3 - 4: ., Герцен, А. И., 1937
Былое и думы. Т. 4, Ч. 6: ., Герцен, А. И., 1938

Bachelor’s Programme 'Philology'

Charity in the Novel