Photo by S.L. Levitsky.
Photo by S. A. Tolstaia.
These and most other pictures are taken from a wonderful site--I recommend
that you look at the rest of their pictures!:
http://www.utoronto.ca/tolstoy/gallery/index.html
To get a sense of Tolstoy's life and works, look at Tolstoy-on-a-page
To get a sense of characters in W&P, look at Who's Who
To give you some idea of things to pay attention to when reading and preparing for class discussion, check out the study questions.
Sun 9/3 1:00-2:30
Introduction:
You, Alexis, and me.
If time: Tolstoy and W&P; Tolstoy on art 1896; Reactions to W&P
Advising sign-up
2:30
Students will be taken to Cooperative Institute Research Survey
2:45-3:30
Parents' session
4:00-6:30
Individual advising (as signed up) in my office HUM 209C
Get your text books and leaf through W&P, familiarizing yourself with its general composition, the background readings at the end of the book, and study the maps so you have a general idea of where the action takes place.
Remember the Research Practices Survey--you have received e-mail info about it!
Individual advising (as signed up) in my office HUM 209C
Homework for Wed
9/6
Read (closely):
W&P 1,1-5, pp. 3-42
Skim the following short critical readings (for more
on my introduction in Sun class):
- "The Publication History of W&P," W&P:1081-82
- "The Author on the Novel," W&P: 1083-96
- Turgenev: "Comments on W&P," W&P: 1107-08
- Leontiev "The Greatness and Universality of W&P," W&P:1109-10
- Lenin, "Leo Tolstoy as a Mirror of the Russian Revolution," W&P: 1111-13
- Henry James, "Loose Baggy Monsters," "A Monster Harnessed,"
W&P:1114
Write:
When you read, keep in mind & get started on writing Project #1. Plan to meet with Alexis in time for her to read your draft and for you to re-write and turn in to me on 9/13!
And look way ahead at all the writing projects, thinking about topics that interest you. Then be specially alert to (potential) topics as you continue to read W&P
Battle of Austerlitz, oil
François Pascal Simon, Baron Gérard
Kutuzov at Borodino
Lecture/Discussion:
Your reactions to the critical readings
Social classes in early 19th-c. Russia: work and play
W&P 1,1-5
Read:
W&P 1, 6-16, pp.42-94
Write:
(due 9/13): Work on writing Project #1
Make sure to schedule a meeting with Alexis!
Follow Project#3 character from now on
Discussion:
W&P 1.6-16
Read:
W&P 2, 1-7, pp. 95-136
Kathryn Feuer, "The Book that Became War and Peace," W&P: 1142-48
Write:
Work on Project #1
Lecture/Discussion:
Russia in the wake of the Napoleonic wars and after.
W&P 2, 1-7
Read:
W&P 2, 8-15, pp.136-73
Write:
Finish re/writing Project #1, incorporating Alexis's suggestions.
Bibliographical information session, at our usual class time. This session is tailor-made for our class and will tell you about the tools of the trade. All of you are required to attend.
Writing Project #1 due in class.
Read:
W&P 3, 1-7, pp. 175-215
Write:
Work on Project #2
Questions on library session and writing project #2?
Discussion:
W&P 3, 1-7
Homework for Mon 9/18
Read:
W&P 3, 8-13, pp. 215-55
Write:
Work on Project #2
Murat
W&P 3, 8-13
Read:
W&P 4, 1-9, pp. 257-86
Write:
Work on Project #2 and meet with Alexis if you haven't
Second bibliographic info session
Read:
W&P 4, 10-15, pp. 286-301
Shklovsky, "Details in War and Peace," W&P: 1114-26
Ginzburg, "Causal Conditionality," W&P: 1167-78
Write:
Finish re/writing Project #2
Michael Dickel from the MAX center will stop by
Discussion:
Tolstoy's methods of characterization and Shklovsky, Ginzburg, Leontiev and the nature/use of "telling" detail
W&P 4. 1-15, with special attention to characterization
Writing Project #2 due in class
Read:
W&P 5, 1-18, pp. 303-65
Write:
Start Project #3 and, as usual, set up a meeting with Alexis
Mon 9/25
Discussion:
Freemasonry.
Serfdom in Russia
W&P 5.
L. N. Tolstoy among peasants. Kryokshino, Moscow province, 1909.
Photo by V. G. Chertkov.
Homework for Wed 9/27
Read:
W&P 6, 1-9, pp. 367-407
Write:
Keep working on Project #3, meet with Alexis to go over your draft
Wed 9/27
Lecture/Discussion:
Tolstoy's attitude to women in general & in W&P
W&P 6, 1-9
L. N. Tolstoy and S. A. Tolstaia. Iasnaia Poliana, 1910.
The last photograph of the two together.
Photo by S. A. Tolstaia.
Homework for Fri 9/29
Read:
W&P 6, 10-17, pp. 407-29.
Write:
Keep working on Project #3, meet with Alexis if you haven't and re-write
as needed
Alexander I
Lecture/Discussion:
The political climate and the Alexander I
W&P 6, 10-17
Read:
W&P 7, 1-13, pp. 431-74
Gary Saul Morson, "Narrative and Creative Potentials in War and Peace," in W&P: 1156-65
Write:
Finish Project #3 for Monday
Lecture/Discussion:
Russianness, landowner life on country estates, country customs, class. The Rostovs. How Tolstoy conveys major "inner" changes in his characters.
W&P 7, 1-13
Writing Project #3 due in class
Read:
W&P 8, 1-22, pp. 475-534
Write:
Start pondering project #4
Read if you like (not required):
Dmitry Mirsky, "About Tolstoy," and "[On Tolstoy: Materialism, Spiritualism, and Russianness," in W&P: 1137-42
Lecture.Discussion:
"Making strange" as a Tolstoyan literary devise; How does Tolstoy use nature?
W&P 8, 1-22
Read:
W&P 9, 1-16, pp. 535-84
Isaiah Berlin, "Tolstoy's Attitude Towards History in War and Peace," and "Tolstoy's Worldview in War and Peace," in W&P: 1129-36
Write:
Work on Project #4 and plan meeting with Alexis as usual.
Discussion:
Tolstoy as a historian.
W&P 9, 1-16 & Berlin
Read:
W&P 9, 17-23, pp. 584-606 and 10, 1-5, pp.607-29
Write:
Work on Project #4 and set up meeting with Alexis
FIELD TRIP
RUSSIAN ART EXPEDITION
Around this time I'd like to schedule some sort of an excursion: perhaps
to the Museaum of Contemporary Russian Art, or perhaps to a play or if
we're in the mood for something totally different ... We'll discuss our
options!
Discussion:
Tolstoy, battle descriptions, and "heroes" of history/war
W&P 9-17-23 and 10, 1-5
Bagration
Barclay de Tolly
Read:
W&P 10, 6-23, pp. 629-85
Write:
Work on Project #4
Wed 10/11
Discussion:
Tolstoy "heroes" of history/war; metaphors used for explanatory
purposes.
W&P 10, 6-23
Homework for Fri 10/13
Read:
W&P 10, 24-39, pp. 685-730; pay special attention to metaphors
Write:
Draft/re-write and move towards finishing project #4
Kutuzov
Napoleon
Alexander I
Fri 10/13
Discussion:
More heroes and metaphors
W&P 10, 24-39
L. N. Tolstoy. Iasnaia Poliana, 1908.
Photo by V. G. Chertkov.
Homework for Mon 10/16
Read:
We've passed the half-way mark in W&P and take a break from Tolstoy
and familiarize ourselves instead with various possible approaches to
literary theory (and hence potentially helpful for your research papers
for those of you who are still looking for an approach to your topic)
Present:
We'll share the work and tackle Culler in the form of oral class presentations
by you in pairs. Your task will be to read and really master your part
of Culler and then to summarize the thesis, describe the issues, and critique
it in class by evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. Then you'll serve
as discussion leaders.
You'll cooperate, bond, divvy up the work equitably, and figure out a
creative way to present it to the class (visual aids, role playing, costumes,
power point, musical accompaniment etc. are encouraged—as long as
you stick to the time limit of 20 minutes/presentation + 10 minutes discussion
of your text).
The rest of the class can choose to trust the presenters or remain skeptical
and read each part of the text for themselves concurrently with the presentations.
Alexis and I'll will start us off on Mon with a question that currently
occupies our field and we hope to hear your opinions about the future
of Russian literature.
This will set you thinking about what Russian literature is, its relevance,
and how it relates to other fields—a topic that gets at the heart
of a liberal arts education and hopefully will help you ponder your own
Macalester curriculum.
This should also give you a breather and time to put that final polish
on Project #4.
I've paired you off in reverse alphabetical order—you can negotiate
changes, as long as everyone involved agrees, but let me know!
Write:
Finish re/writing project #4 for Mon.
Think hard about research paper topic! Start narrowing down your options!
Brainstorm with me and/or Alexis and/or fellow students!
Presentation:
Alexis and Gitta: Platt, Kevin M. F., "Will the Study of Russian Literature Survive the Coming century? (A Provocation)," SEEJ 50,1 (2006): 204-12.
Writing Project #4 is due to me in class.
Homework for Wed 10/18
Present:
Ryland Witzler & Mark Verdin: Culler: "What is Theory?"
Jake Thompson & Kenneth Snider: Culler: "What is Literature?"
Write:
Start Project #5
Think: research paper topic!
Brainstorm!
Presentations:
Ryland & Mark: Culler: "What is Theory?"
Jake & Kenneth: Culler: "What is Literature?"
Present:
Lauren Rose & Carly Levin: Culler: "Literature and Cultural Studies"
Mira Kohl & Elisabeth Kirchner: Culler: "Language, Meaning, and Interpretation"
Write:
Work on Project 5 and set up meeting with Alexis
Think: research paper topic!
Brainstorm!
Fri 10/20
Presentations:
Lauren & Carly: Culler: "Literature and Cultural Studies"
Mira & Elisabeth: Culler: "Language, Meaning, and Interpretation"
Homework for Mon 10/23
Present:
Joseph Houlihan & Marie Gray: Culler: "Rhetoric, Poetics, and
Poetry"
Katherine Erickson-Pearson & Spencer Doar: Culler: "Narrative"
Write:
Meet with Alexis and re-write Project #5
Think: research paper topic! Close to deadline for topic decision!
Presentations:
Joseph & Marie : Culler: "Rhetoric, Poetics, and Poetry"
Katherine & Spencer: Culler: "Narrative"
Present:
Emily Cox & Brittany Burggraff: Culler: "Performative Language"
Wendi Bootes & Eric Blom: Culler: "Identity, Identification, and the Subject"
Write:
Add final touches to Project #5
Decide on research topic!
Wed 10/25
Presentations:
Emily & Brittany: Culler: "Performative Language"
Wendi & Eric: Culler: "Identity, Identification, and the Subject"
If time: Discussion of format of research papers--otherwise set
up individual consultations.
Writing Project #5 due in class
Absolutely FINAL date to Decide on topic for research
paper
Read:
Back to the grand finale of W&P!
W&P 11, 1-10, pp. 731-77
FALL BREAK Thur 10/26 – Sun 10/29
Below is the image our alumni host showed us: The French army's Russian campaign, arriving (beige) and returning (black). Brouigh to us by Alexis's father who from the web: http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/minard. I'll link it to a smaller version with text for those interested-- http://www.csiss.org/classics/content/58
Discussion:
History, war, & patriotism (nationalism?)
W&P 11, 1-10
Read:
W&P 11, 11-16, pp. 777-826
(The Morson article is again relevant—review it if you have time)
Write:
Work on research bibliography
Discussion:
Moscow (& bees); Pre-Decembrist sentiments
W&P 11, 11-16
Homework for Fri 11/3
Read:
W&P 12, 1-4, pp. 827- 72
Write:
Work on research bibliography
L. N. Tolstoy with peasants’ children and peasants. Iasnaia Poliana,
1909.
Photo by V. G. Chertkov.
Lecture /discussion
Re-evaluate Nicholas Rostov? Platon Karataev, peasant wisdom & language & Tolstoy's work with peasants.
W&P 12, 1-4
Read:
W&P 13, 1-4, pp. 873-910
Write:
Work on research bibliography
Discussion:
Plans, proclamations versus action—or INaction
W&P 13, 1-4
Read:
W&P 14, 1-5, pp. 911-49
Write:
Work on research bibliography
Discussion:
Armies & guerilla warfare, glory, heroism, national interests and war
W&P 14, 1-5
Research paper bibliography due to me
Read:
W&P 15, 1—5, pp. 951-96
Write:
Schedule individual writing consultations in my office and/or with Alexis
FILM EXTRAVAGANZA
Around this time I'd like to schedule a W&P extravaganza: the fabulous
Russian 6-hour movie (with subtitles of course!) with ample breaks for
Russian delicacies, such as might be arranged by Count Rostov himself!
Perhaps this is a good chance to show off our knowledge of the book
and share it with fellow Russian students in the Russian House. We'll
discuss time & place
Fri 11/10
Discussion:
Life/death. War/politics
W&P 15, 1-5
Read:
W&P: First Epilogue, 1-4, pp. 997-1042
Write:
Schedule individual writing consultations in my office and/or with Alexis—as needed. Keep in mind that I'll be gone on Friday!
Discussion:
Genius/chance. Happy (?) endings
W&P: First Epilogue
Read:
W&P, Second Epilogue, pp. 1043-74
Write:
Schedule individual writing consultations in my office or with Alexis, as needed. Keep in mind that I'll be gone on Friday
Discussion:
History, Free will/necessity
W&P: Second Epilogue.
Read:
No reading!
Write:
Work on your research papers—outline due on Fri to Alexis!
I will be at the national conference of the AAASS
FILM: Sergei Bodrov, Prisoner of the Mountains
Research paper outline due to Alexis
Surf the web and familiarize yourself with Russia-Caucasus in other ways if you have time.
Write:
Work on papers
FILM: Sergei Bodrov: Prisoner of the Mountains, conclusions
Surf the web and familiarize yourself with the Russia-Caucasus wars, but mainly:
Write:
work on your papers
Wed 11/22
Lecture/Discussion:
Russia-Caucasus. Tolstoy and non-resistance to evil
Chechnia today
Homework for Mon 11/27
Read:
HM: Intro & Translator's note
Write:
Work on research papers
HM: Narrativity, biography
Read:
HM: Ch I-VIII, pp. 1-45
Write:
Research papers—draft due to me on Wed
HM Ch I-VIII
Research paper draft due to me
Homework for Fri 12/1
Read:
HM: Ch. IX-XVIII, pp. 46-102
Write:
Research papers—work on them even as I peruse drafts
HM: Ch IX-XVIII
Read:
HM: Ch XIX-XXV, pp. 103-44
Write:
Work on papers
HM: Ch XIX-XXV
Homework for Wed 12/6
Read:
No reading!
Write:
Finish your papers—due Wed
Presentations:
You've all gained lots of insights and ideas in researching and writing
your papers, becoming our experts on certain topics. I'd like everybody
to benefit and will give you an opportunity to share your findings and
further questions with the rest of the class.
We'll work out the details when we get to this point, but if our schedule
holds, each could have about 15 minutes to present the gist of your paper
and some 5 minutes for taking questions from the rest.
This time I've scheduled you alphabetically.
Presentations:
Blom, Eric
Bootes, Wendi
Cox, Emily
Wed 12/6
Paper presentations
Blom, Eric
Bootes, Wendi
Cox Emily
Homework for Fri 12/8
Paper presentations:
Erickson-Pearson, Katherine
Gray, Marie
Houlihan, Joseph
Paper presentations
Erickson-Pearson, Katherine
Gray, Marie
Houlihan, Joseph
Paper presentations
Kirchner, Elisabeth
Kohl, Mira
Levin, Carly
Mon 12/11
Paper presentations
Kirchner, Elisabeth
Kohl, Mira
Levin, Carly
Final copy of research papers due in class
Paper presentations
Roso, Lauren
Snider, Kenneth
Thompson, Jake
Paper presentations
Roso, Lauren
Snider, Kenneth
Thompson, Jake
Paper presentations
Verdin, Mark
Witzler, Ryland
Fri 12/15
Paper presentations
Verdin, Mark
Witzler, Ryland
Conclusions
Homework for Wed 12/20
Wed 12/20 at 10:30
AM - 12:30 PM our usual room
NO Final Exam!