Golden Age Russian Literature
Russian Literature's Golden Age: 1830-1880 (in English) Duels, ghosts, utopias, murders, prostitution, and adultery- these are the raw materials Russian authors turned into some of the world's greatest literature. This course is an introduction to Russian literature of the 19th century, from the short stories of Pushkin and Gogol to the great novels of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. The centrality of literature in Russian society and the interrelations among the authors and texts will be discussed. How do the authors combine reality, fantasy, and philosophy to make these works both uniquely Russian and universal?
Professor Portice’s Russian Literature course is a remarkable journey into one of the world’s most profound literary traditions. From the outset, it’s clear that Professor Portice brings a deep passion and extensive knowledge to the subject, guiding students through the intricate and often challenging landscape of Russian literature with both expertise and enthusiasm. The course is intellectually stimulating and richly rewarding, though it requires a substantial commitment to reading. Students will find themselves immersed in a vast array of texts, from the hauntingly beautiful works of Fyodor Dostoevsky to the lyrical prose of Anton Chekhov. Professor Portice's careful curation of the reading list ensures that each work contributes meaningfully to the understanding of Russian literary themes and historical context. While the amount of reading might seem daunting, it is always engaging and thought-provoking. Professor Portice has a knack for making even the most complex texts accessible and relevant, providing valuable insights that enhance comprehension and appreciation. The class discussions are vibrant and insightful, often delving into deep analysis and interpretation, thanks to Professor Portice’s skillful facilitation. Overall, this course is a challenging yet immensely gratifying experience. It offers a comprehensive exploration of Russian literature that will leave students with a profound appreciation for the genre and its key figures. If you’re ready for a deep dive into some of the greatest literary works ever written, Professor Portice’s class is definitely worth the effort.
Professor Portice’s Russian Literature course is a remarkable journey into one of the world’s most profound literary traditions. From the outset, it’s clear that Professor Portice brings a deep passion and extensive knowledge to the subject, guiding students through the intricate and often challenging landscape of Russian literature …Read more
Portice is one of my favorite professors on campus. he's incredibly clear with expectations from the get go. One midterm and a final, neither of which was particularly bad. The class has A LOT of reading. it starts light, but at around the halfway point of the semester, that bumps up to around 100-150 pages of reading per class session (sometimes monday to wednesday instead of over the weekend). The class is small, so you actually have to try and if you don't read it'll be pretty obvious. However, I have to say, this has definitely been one of my favorite classes I've taken at Midd, and would definitely recommend it to any one that enjoys reading and wants to familiarize themself with Russian Literature.
Portice is one of my favorite professors on campus. he's incredibly clear with expectations from the get go. One midterm and a final, neither of which was particularly bad. The class has A LOT of reading. it starts light, but at around the halfway point of the semester, that bumps up to around 100-150 pages of reading per class sessi …Read more
Professor Portice was one of my favorite professors thus far at Middlebury. Our class size was very small so class discussions and discussions in small groups were a huge part of the curriculum. Papers are graded fairly and I found that class discussions yielded plenty of good material to dig into for essays.
I really enjoyed this course. Professor Portice was very passionate about the material and gave tough but very fair feedback on the essays we were assigned. I really liked all of the readings, though Brothers Karamazov was significantly longer than the others.
While I really like Professor Portice I don't think this class was for me. If you really like reading and discussing literature then you will like this. I found that there was way too much reading so discussions were often superficial because nobody could read that much.
I really enjoyed this class. Professor Portice isn't an easy essay grader, but taking his class definitely made me a much better writer. There's a lot of reading, but I actually liked all of the books.