Rus 252: Russian Folklore
Course Syllabus
Fall 2023
Time: 3:30-4:45 MW
Instructor: Andrew M. Drozd Location: B. B. Comer 261 E-mail: adrozd@ua.edu |
Office: 213 B. B. Comer Office Hours: 1-2T; 2-3Th WWW: http://adrozd.people.ua.edu/ |
TEXTS:
To Purchase: Aleksandr Afanas’ev, Russian Fairy Tales; Linda Ivanits, Russian Folk Belief; James Bailey and Tatyana Ivanova, An Anthology of Russian Folk Epics; Roberta Reeder, Russian Folk Lyrics.
Extracts from the following in Blackboard Learn: Alex E. Alexander, Russian Folklore: An Anthology in English Translation; Robert Chandler, Russian Magic Tales from Pushkin to Platonov; Jack Haney, An Anthology of Russian Folktales; A. Pushkin, Collected Narrative and Lyrical Poetry, A. Pushkin, Boris Godunov and Other Dramatic Works; N. V. Gogol, The Complete Tales of Nikolai Gogol, vol. 1; Mikhail Lermontov, A Lermontov Reader; Mikhail Lermontov, Major Poetical Works; Alexander Kuprin, The Garnet Bracelet and Other Stories; Carl Proffer, From Karamzin to Bunin; Mark Lipovetsky and Valentina Brougher, 50 Writers; T. Langen and J. Weir, Eight Twentieth-Century Russian Plays; Harold B. Segel, The Literature of Eighteenth-Century Russia; Victor Terras, Handbook of Russian Literature; Serge A. Zenkovsky, Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles and Tales; Funk & Wagnall’s Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend.
Gorgas Electronic Book: Nicholas Rzhevsky, An Anthology of Russian Literature.
DESCRIPTION:
This course will introduce the student to the basic materials of Russian folklore. Students will read the primary materials in English translation. No knowledge of Russian is required for this course. Three (3) credit hours.
Overall, this course addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and esthetics as they are represented in literature and related fields in the Humanities which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities, rather than simply the ability to perform tasks at the written level. Nevertheless, this course will include substantial in-class and out-of-class writing that encourages the development of critical thinking and requires students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge.
COURSE PHILOSOPHY and GOALS: The reading for this course is focused almost exclusively on primary works. While specialized studies that approach the topic from a particular theoretical point of view certainly have their value, they are best appreciated once the student has read a sufficient number of original works. In this course the student will be introduced to the basic genres and motifs of Russian folklore. Our survey starts with Russian folklore’s origin in Slavic paganism and concludes with the rise of modern, urban forms. We will read as wide a variety of genres as possible. Genres read include the folk epic, historical epics, the folk ballad, the folk tale, folk narratives, folk Christian narratives, songs, proverbs/sayings and the chastushka. In addition, we will cover the various superstitions of Russian folk belief as well as the most famous characters (Baba Yaga, the Firebird, etc.) of Russian folklore. One goal of the course is to demonstrate to the student that Russian folklore is far from a static body of material only of historical value but rather is a dynamic entity that continues to exert its influence to this day. It has proven to be an enormous resource for fiction, music, the graphic arts and film. Indeed, as evidenced with the appearance of the Veela in the Harry Potter series or Baba Yaga in Shrek Forever After, Russian/Slavic folklore has even made its contributions to the international scene. This course will not only introduce the student to Russian folklore itself, but also to works of literature that have made use of it. In class the students will be shown relevant examples of Russian art and selections of music may also be played on occasion. In addition, if there is sufficient time and student interest, showings of films based on Russian folklore may be scheduled. Finally, the student will develop some familiarity with the course of Russian history and basic elements of Russian culture.
REQUIREMENTS:
Two exams and a comprehensive final exam. The written exams will consist of questions that require the student to analyze various aspects of the assigned readings. If you have a conflict with a test date, I will allow you to take the exam at a different time, provided that you inform me beforehand. Make-up exams will be allowed only in very rare circumstances.
There will also be seven (7) essays of 2-3 pages each due on the materials read for the course. The essays are not to be research papers, but neither are they to be mere plot summaries. Rather the student is to analyze some aspect the material read. Several possible themes for each essay will be provided by the instructor although students are free to come up with their own. A general guide for writing essays will also be provided. Late essays will be accepted but will be penalized with a loss of at least ten points.
TEST SCHEDULE:
Exam #1: Monday, Oct. 2
Exam #2: Wednesday, Oct. 25
Comprehensive Final Exam: Thursday, Dec. 14: 1:30-3:30PM
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required, will be recorded, and will be a significant component of your grade.
GRADING:
Everything is graded on the 100-point scale. The final course grade will be based on your performance on the two exams, each worth 20% of your final grade, attendance which is worth 15%, the essays which are worth 20% and the final exam which is worth 25%. All course grades are given on a +/- basis. For an explanation of the policy, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Classroom etiquette:
It is expected that all students will pay attention and participate in class. Therefore, no electronic devices are to be used in class unless an assignment specifically calls for it or unless it has been approved by ODS (see below). Recreational use of electronic devices in class is a distraction for everyone else and all cellphones, laptops, tablets, etc. are to be turned off when class starts. Persistent violations will result in a reduction of the student’s class attendance grade. In instances regarding a family or medical emergency, an exception will be granted, if you inform the instructor in advance.
Generative AI Tools: AI use is not allowed: All submitted work must be produced by the students themselves. Use of a generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to complete an assignment constitutes academic misconduct.
Academic misconduct policy:
All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.
The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
The University of Alabama is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and need reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in this class, contact the Office of Disability Services (or ODS; 205-348-4285, ods@ua.edu, Houser Hall 1000, www.ods.ua.edu) as soon as possible. If you have been approved to receive accommodations through ODS, please meet with me during office hours or by appointment to submit your accommodation letter and discuss how accommodations can be implemented in this course.
UAct: The University of Alabama is committed to an ethical, inclusive community defined by respect and civility. The UAct website (www.ua.edu/uact) provides extensive information on how to report or obtain assistance with a variety of issues, including issues related to dating violence, domestic violence, stalking , sexual assault, sexual violence or other Title IX violations, illegal discrimination, harassment, child abuse or neglect, hazing, threat assessment, retaliation, and ethical violations or fraud.
EMERGENCY STATEMENT:
The UA emergency information site: http://prepare.ua.edu/. In the event of an emergency, the instructor will give information on the course through Blackboard Learn.
To Purchase: Aleksandr Afanas’ev, Russian Fairy Tales; Linda Ivanits, Russian Folk Belief; James Bailey and Tatyana Ivanova, An Anthology of Russian Folk Epics; Roberta Reeder, Russian Folk Lyrics.
Extracts from the following in Blackboard Learn: Alex E. Alexander, Russian Folklore: An Anthology in English Translation; Robert Chandler, Russian Magic Tales from Pushkin to Platonov; Jack Haney, An Anthology of Russian Folktales; A. Pushkin, Collected Narrative and Lyrical Poetry, A. Pushkin, Boris Godunov and Other Dramatic Works; N. V. Gogol, The Complete Tales of Nikolai Gogol, vol. 1; Mikhail Lermontov, A Lermontov Reader; Mikhail Lermontov, Major Poetical Works; Alexander Kuprin, The Garnet Bracelet and Other Stories; Carl Proffer, From Karamzin to Bunin; Mark Lipovetsky and Valentina Brougher, 50 Writers; T. Langen and J. Weir, Eight Twentieth-Century Russian Plays; Harold B. Segel, The Literature of Eighteenth-Century Russia; Victor Terras, Handbook of Russian Literature; Serge A. Zenkovsky, Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles and Tales; Funk & Wagnall’s Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend.
Gorgas Electronic Book: Nicholas Rzhevsky, An Anthology of Russian Literature.
DESCRIPTION:
This course will introduce the student to the basic materials of Russian folklore. Students will read the primary materials in English translation. No knowledge of Russian is required for this course. Three (3) credit hours.
Overall, this course addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and esthetics as they are represented in literature and related fields in the Humanities which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities, rather than simply the ability to perform tasks at the written level. Nevertheless, this course will include substantial in-class and out-of-class writing that encourages the development of critical thinking and requires students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge.
COURSE PHILOSOPHY and GOALS: The reading for this course is focused almost exclusively on primary works. While specialized studies that approach the topic from a particular theoretical point of view certainly have their value, they are best appreciated once the student has read a sufficient number of original works. In this course the student will be introduced to the basic genres and motifs of Russian folklore. Our survey starts with Russian folklore’s origin in Slavic paganism and concludes with the rise of modern, urban forms. We will read as wide a variety of genres as possible. Genres read include the folk epic, historical epics, the folk ballad, the folk tale, folk narratives, folk Christian narratives, songs, proverbs/sayings and the chastushka. In addition, we will cover the various superstitions of Russian folk belief as well as the most famous characters (Baba Yaga, the Firebird, etc.) of Russian folklore. One goal of the course is to demonstrate to the student that Russian folklore is far from a static body of material only of historical value but rather is a dynamic entity that continues to exert its influence to this day. It has proven to be an enormous resource for fiction, music, the graphic arts and film. Indeed, as evidenced with the appearance of the Veela in the Harry Potter series or Baba Yaga in Shrek Forever After, Russian/Slavic folklore has even made its contributions to the international scene. This course will not only introduce the student to Russian folklore itself, but also to works of literature that have made use of it. In class the students will be shown relevant examples of Russian art and selections of music may also be played on occasion. In addition, if there is sufficient time and student interest, showings of films based on Russian folklore may be scheduled. Finally, the student will develop some familiarity with the course of Russian history and basic elements of Russian culture.
REQUIREMENTS:
Two exams and a comprehensive final exam. The written exams will consist of questions that require the student to analyze various aspects of the assigned readings. If you have a conflict with a test date, I will allow you to take the exam at a different time, provided that you inform me beforehand. Make-up exams will be allowed only in very rare circumstances.
There will also be seven (7) essays of 2-3 pages each due on the materials read for the course. The essays are not to be research papers, but neither are they to be mere plot summaries. Rather the student is to analyze some aspect the material read. Several possible themes for each essay will be provided by the instructor although students are free to come up with their own. A general guide for writing essays will also be provided. Late essays will be accepted but will be penalized with a loss of at least ten points.
TEST SCHEDULE:
Exam #1: Monday, Oct. 2
Exam #2: Wednesday, Oct. 25
Comprehensive Final Exam: Thursday, Dec. 14: 1:30-3:30PM
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required, will be recorded, and will be a significant component of your grade.
GRADING:
Everything is graded on the 100-point scale. The final course grade will be based on your performance on the two exams, each worth 20% of your final grade, attendance which is worth 15%, the essays which are worth 20% and the final exam which is worth 25%. All course grades are given on a +/- basis. For an explanation of the policy, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Classroom etiquette:
It is expected that all students will pay attention and participate in class. Therefore, no electronic devices are to be used in class unless an assignment specifically calls for it or unless it has been approved by ODS (see below). Recreational use of electronic devices in class is a distraction for everyone else and all cellphones, laptops, tablets, etc. are to be turned off when class starts. Persistent violations will result in a reduction of the student’s class attendance grade. In instances regarding a family or medical emergency, an exception will be granted, if you inform the instructor in advance.
Generative AI Tools: AI use is not allowed: All submitted work must be produced by the students themselves. Use of a generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to complete an assignment constitutes academic misconduct.
Academic misconduct policy:
All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.
The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
The University of Alabama is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and need reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in this class, contact the Office of Disability Services (or ODS; 205-348-4285, ods@ua.edu, Houser Hall 1000, www.ods.ua.edu) as soon as possible. If you have been approved to receive accommodations through ODS, please meet with me during office hours or by appointment to submit your accommodation letter and discuss how accommodations can be implemented in this course.
UAct: The University of Alabama is committed to an ethical, inclusive community defined by respect and civility. The UAct website (www.ua.edu/uact) provides extensive information on how to report or obtain assistance with a variety of issues, including issues related to dating violence, domestic violence, stalking , sexual assault, sexual violence or other Title IX violations, illegal discrimination, harassment, child abuse or neglect, hazing, threat assessment, retaliation, and ethical violations or fraud.
EMERGENCY STATEMENT:
The UA emergency information site: http://prepare.ua.edu/. In the event of an emergency, the instructor will give information on the course through Blackboard Learn.