Russian literary theory and methodology

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Problematise and critically reason around Russian literary theories and methodologies from a historical perspective
• Describe the place of the Russian literary schools in the international scientific context
• Critically analyse current research questions, terms and theories in Russian literary science, as well as evaluate these as scientific methodologies for literary analysis.

The course gives an introduction to Russian literary theory from a historical perspective. Within the course’s framework students familiarize themselves with the Russian formalist school, Mikhail Bakhtin’s theories of polyphony and dialogism, Jurij Lotman’s cultural semiotics and the Moskva- Tartu school. A selection of representative Russian texts on literary science are read in translation. The course ends with a written assignment on a suggested article that is assessed by the group.

Examination is done by assessing seminar performance and by a final written assignment.

Swedish and/or English are used as languages of tuition. Teaching takes the form of examining seminars.

The Swedish grades U–VG.