RUSS256

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RUSS256

Russian Formalism RUSS256 SP

Next Offered in 9899 SP

An examination of the Russian Formalists as theoreticians, critics, and creative writers. Topics to be considered: symbiosis between theories of poetic language advanced by Formalist critics and the poetic practice of the Futurists Khlebnikov and Mayakovsky; Viktor Shklovsky, theory of prose and its relation to his novel, ZOO; OR, LETTERS NOT ABOUT LOVE; Formalist experiments in biography; theories of literary evolution; and the legacy of Formalism for Structuralism and semiotics.

MAJOR READINGS

Roman Jakobson, "Modern Russian Poetry
(Xlebinkov)"
Osip Brik, "Contributions to the Study of Verse Language"
Viktor Shklovsky, "Art as Technique"; THEORY OF PROSE
(selections); ZOO: OR, LETTERS NOT ABOUT LOVE
Boris Eichenbaum, "How Gogol's Overcoat is Made": YOUNG
TOLSTOY; "The Theory of the Formal Method"
Boris Tomashevsky, "Literature and Biography"
Jurij Tynjanov, "On Literary Evolution"; "Dostoevsky and
Gogol"; selected fiction Roman Jakobson and Jurij Tynjanov,
"Problems in the Study of Literature and Language"
Victor Erlich, RUSSIAN FORMALISM: HISTORY--DOCTRINE

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Midterm paper (3-5 pp.); final paper (10-15 pp.); occasional short oral reports.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA RUSS

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-10-1997

About the Photo:

This course explores Shklovsky's theory of prose in relation to his novel ZOO, or LETTERS NOT ABOUT LOVE.

Reference:

Sheldon, Richard. ZOO, OR LETTERS NOT ABOUT LOVE, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1971.

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions.