Course Description
Representative works from all periods of Chekhov's career. Chekhov's influence on modern literature and drama. Taught in English.
Athena Title
Chekhov
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students in this course will gain an appreciation for Chekhov's literary style and will study the major themes of his oeuvre and their relationship to other works of Russian literature. They will also consider Chekhov's influence outside of Russia. At the same time, students will further develop their reading comprehension and their skills in written and spoken Russian. They will be required to participate actively in classroom discussions, give oral presentations, and submit regular written essays. Students may also act out scenes from the plays in class. The course will include either a final exam or a final project of comparable scope, at the discretion of the instructor.
Topical Outline
The early comic stories (stories such as "Death of an Official", "Fat and Thin", "The Chameleon", "Sergeant Prishibeev") The middle period: developments in characterization and experiments with longer narrative forms The world of children (stories such as "Vanka", "Sleepy", "Small Fry") The world of women (stories such as "Anyuta", "The Chorus Girl", "Agaf'ya") The clinical point of view (stories such as "The Name-Day Party", "A Nervous Breakdown") The "problem" stories: social and philosophical issues (stories such as "The Duel", "Ward No. 6", "A Woman's Kingdom") The masterpieces of the late period (stories such as "Peasants", "The Man in a Case", "The Lady with the Pet Dog", "In the Ravine", "The Bride") General characteristics of Chekhov's dramatic works and closer study of one or more of the major plays ("The Sea Gull", "Uncle Vanya", "Three Sisters" or "The Cherry Orchard").
General Education Core
CORE IV: World Languages and Global CultureSyllabus