Tolstoy (310-0-20)

Topic

War and Peace

Instructors

Gary S Morson
1880 Campus Dr. (Kresge) Office 3369
Office Hours: Tuesdays 2:15-4:15 pm

Nina Anatolievna Wieda

Meeting Info

Lutkin Hall: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Through a close reading of War and Peace, we will try to appreciate why it is usually considered the world's greatest novel. What do Tolstoy's incomparably realistic descriptions of thought processes show us about the human mind and its relation to the body? How do the stories we tell and the processes of our own memories distort reality, and how can we correct for these distortions? Is history a matter of big decisions made at decisive moments or of the countless small decisions and happenings we barely notice? Does life have a meaning, and if so, how can we learn it? These are among the questions we will consider as we examine how this profound psychological and philosophical novel works.

Learning Objectives

To appreciate what makes great literature great and why it is worth reading; to acquire skills in reading novels that will help in reading other major works. The course will succeed if you want to read or reread other literary masterpieces.

Teaching Method

Lecture and Discussion

Evaluation Method

In class Midterm and Final

Class Materials (Required)

Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace, Oxford World Classics, the Maude translation revised by Amy Mandelker (Oxford University Press, 2010-11)

ISBN-9780199232765

Class Attributes

Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - Parkes Hall 223: Tues 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - Locy Hall 111: Thurs 3:00PM - 3:50PM

DIS - Parkes Hall 214: Tues 3:00PM - 3:50PM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-435: Thurs 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - Parkes Hall 223: Mon 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - Locy Hall 318: Wed 2:00PM - 2:50PM