Department of Slavic and Central Asian Languages

Russian 3-411/5-411

Dostoevsky in Translation

Spring, 2009

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:45-2:00, 229 Nolte Center


Instructor: Mr. Jahn (gjahn@umn.edu) Office: 210 Nolte Center Hours: 11:30-12:30, Tuesday and Thursday;

5:00-6:00, Monday; or by appointment.  Please e-mail or call (612-625-6557)



Date

Tuesday

Thursday

Jan. 20/22

Introduction, Background, Bio-chronology of Dostoevsky

Bio-chronology of Dostoevsky

Jan. 27/29

Dostoevsky’s Literary Career

Dostoevsky’s Literary Career

Feb. 3/Feb. 5

Poor Folk

Poor Folk

Feb. 10/12

Notes from Underground

Notes from Underground

Feb. 17/19

Notes from Underground

Notes from Underground

Feb. 24/26

Crime and Punishment (I)

Crime and Punishment (I)

Mar. 3/Mar.5

Crime and Punishment (II)

Crime and Punishment (III)

Mar. 10/12

Crime and Punishment (IV)

Crime and Punishment (V-end)

Mar. 17/19

Holiday, Class excused

Holiday, Class excused

Mar. 24/26

Mid-term Examination

The Possessed (I)

Mar. 31/Apr. 2

The Possessed (I)

The Possessed (II)

Apr. 7/9

The Possessed (II-III)

The Possessed (III)

Apr. 14/16

The Brothers Karamazov (I)

The Brothers Karamazov (I)

Apr. 21/23

The Brothers Karamazov (II-III)

The Brothers Karamazov (IV-V)

Apr. 28/30

The Brothers Karamazov (VI-VII)

The Brothers Karamazov (VIII-IX)

May 5/7

The Brothers Karamazov (X-XI)

The Brothers Karamazov (XII)
Russ 5411 Papers Due

May 12, Tuesday

Final Examination 1:30  - 3:30

 

Course Requirements:

(1) Reading: as shown in the calendar above; a handy supplement is V. Terras, F. M. Dostoevsky: Life, Work, and Criticism (now, unfortunately, out of print) or the same author’s Reading Dostoevsky.

(2) Tests: mid-term and final written examinations

(3) Paper: Required of students registered for Russ 5411; NOT required of students registered for Russ 3411. Papers are to be 10-15 pp. in length and typed (double-spaced, with margins of 1.25" on all sides). Topic and approach must be approved by instructor by March 26th.  A detailed outline or rough draft is due by April 23rd. Finished versions of papers are due on May 7th.

(4) Grades

For students in Russ 5411:

mid-term examination 25%

final examination 40%

paper 20%

readiness for class discussion 15%

For students in Russ 3411

mid-term examination 25%

final examination 50%

readiness for class discussion 25%

Note: If you are taking this course on the "S/N" grade scale, you need to be aware that "C-" is the last "S" grade.

A description of the policies and expectations of the University of Minnesota regarding coursework may be found at http://www1.umn.edu/usenate/policies/classexpectguide.html.

Invitation: I would be happy to discuss questions or concerns pertaining to this class with you; please don't hesitate to call on me. Good luck this semester!