Exit, Pursued by a Bear: Russian Drama, 1780-1917 – Writing Intensive

(cross-leveled with RUSS 7430). What makes a play Russian? This seminar approaches Russian drama as form, tradition, and historical witness. Students will examine major works from the late eighteenth century through the early twentieth century, asking how playwrights used the stage to grapple with autocracy, national identity, and the search for meaning. The course treats drama as a distinct literary genre with its own conventions and possibilities, one that both shaped and was shaped by the turbulent currents of Russian history. Prerequisites: Junior standing or instructor’s consent required.