Master's seminar History, Sociology Russia, Political science, Europe, Culture

Literary images / sociopolitical concepts. Literature and history of ideas in 19th- and 20th-century Russia

The aim of this seminar is to interrogate the social and political value of literature in its relationship with the history of ideas in 19th- and 20th-century Russia. We examine first literary figures and images in Russian 19th- and 20th-century texts and how these are repeated, reshaped and reinterpreted outside literature in the social and political discourse of the period.

We also examine how literature in Russia has often stood in for philosophy and has also been a powerful engine for discussing and criticising society. We analyse the close links between literature and the history of ideas in Russia, and the central role of literature in the formulation of certain key concepts in social and political theory.

Sessions are planned to be held in French, but may be held in Russian if students’ fluency allows it.