Course Introduction and Russian Literary Context

Course Introduction and Professor's Background

  • Welcome and Book Editions:

    • The course will utilize Doctor Zhivago, with two major English translations available: one recent (within the last 55 years) and an earlier one from shortly after its $1958$ publication.

  • Professor's Specialization:

    • Former Chair of the Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Languages and Cultures Department.

    • Specializes in Russian literature, specifically the period covered in this class.

    • Primary interests: Russian avant-garde and Russian poetry, which are challenging to teach effectively in translation.

  • Personal Journey with Russian Language and Culture:

    • Became interested in Russian during the $1960$s due to