LITR 041R. Violence in Soviet Russophone Literature and Film

(Cross-listed as RUSS 041)
What does it mean for a work of art to engage with violence? How does violence intersect with aesthetics? In this course, students will confront these intricate questions while developing their understanding of the nuanced interplay between violence and artistic representation within Soviet Russophone cultural expression. Through the exploration of various literary and cinematic genres, students will critically examine the portrayal, interpretation, and mediation of violence within the cultural context of the time. The course spans key historical periods, encompassing avant-garde experimentation, the profound impact of World War II, expressions of dissent and repression, the perestroika era leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and subsequent reflections on the post-Soviet period. Organized chronologically, the syllabus consists of four parts, each emphasizing distinct types of violence reflected in the selected works. Students will be encouraged to approach the differentiation between the four parts of the course critically, fostering their own complex understanding of the interrelation between violence and artistic expression.
Humanities.
Writing course.
1 credit.
Spring 2026. Kim.
Catalog chapter: Modern Languages and Literatures: Russian
Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/russian

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