Course Description
Dostoevsky’s main novels, their aesthetics, and ethics. The philosophy of Dostoevsky’s works. Dostoevsky’s philosophical and aesthetic influence. All readings and discussions in English.
Athena Title
DOSTOEVSKY
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course traces the creative evolution of one of the world's greatest writers, Fyodor Dostoevsky, from his earliest works to his murder novels. We examine Dostoevsky's inquiry into the themes of love and death, sin and salvation, guilt and shame, freedom and compulsion, individual will and moral responsibility. Dostoevsky's rendering of these timeless questions inspired countless writers, artists, philosophers, and filmmakers. To uncover the secret of Dostoevsky's enduring appeal to various audiences both at home and abroad, we will look into how Dostoevsky's works have been received and interpreted in various intellectual traditions and contexts.
Topical Outline
The following is a representative outline. Appropriate texts and other material illustrating the various topics will be chosen at the discretion of the instructor. 1. Introduction to course 2. The image of St. Petersburg in Russian literature 3. Utopia and dystopia: a) Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground b) N. G. Chernyshevsky, from What is to Be Done? 4. The polyphonic novel, pro and contra: a) Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment b) M. M. Bakhtin, from "Discourse in Dostoevsky." c) N. K. Milkhailovsky, from "Dostoevsky's Cruel Talent" d) F. I. Evnin. "Plot Structure and Raskol'nikov's Oscillations" e) N. Strakhov on the nihilists and Raskol'nikov's new idea f) J. Frank, "The World of Raskol'nikov" g) M. Bakhtin, From Problems of Dostoevsky's Poetics h) M. Holquist, "Puzzle and Mystery" 5. The perfect man: a) Dostoevsky, The Idiot b) N. G. Chernyshevsky, from The Aesthetic Relations of Art to Reality c) Film: The Idiot (dir. A. Kurosawa) 6. The novel as moral guidance: a) Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov b) Dostoevsky's Letters No. 318, 550, 617 c) R. Belknap, "The Structure of Inherent Relationships" d) E. Wasiolek, "The Brothers Karamazov: Idea and Technique" f) D.H. Lawrence, "The Grand Inquisitor" g) A. Camus, "The Rejection of Salvation" 7. Conclusion
Syllabus