History and Culture in Central and Eastern Europe (390-0-1)
Topic
Pelevin and Pamuk: The Narrative of Identity in Ru
Instructors
Jae Kyu Lee
1880 Campus Dr. Suite 3305
Meeting Info
Parkes Hall 212: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
Ever since becoming empires that straddled Asia and Europe, the Russians and Turks have faced a serious question regarding their identity. Where did their destiny lie? In the East or West? To survive, they had to modernize; to modernize, they had to Westernize. However, the adoption of Western values caused a schism that plagues society to this day. This course surveys the works of two contemporary writers - Victor Pelevin and Orhan Pamuk - in a comparative cultural and historical context. Stepping aside from the noise of political discourse, we will discover what literature can teach us about the complex nature of identity - both of an individual and a nation.
Learning Objectives
"-To develop an appreciation of reading great works of literature. Why does reading matter anymore, especially in a world of "digital humanities"? Why is it worth spending time on pages of original works when we can find everything summarized into <140 characters? What can we learn from reading literature that we would not otherwise learn in other areas of study?
-To foster competence in reading literature. You will develop analytical skills necessary to recognize key themes that literature teaches us about the human condition. The next time you pick up a book, you will feel more confident that you will take away its important messages.
-To broaden your horizon to new cultures and different perspectives. The world is becoming more "globalized," but efforts to understand other viewpoints are seriously lacking. This course will challenge you to step outside whatever worldview you grew up with and explore different cultures from their perspectives. Thus, you will become a truly global citizen and a great asset to bridging the gaps and misunderstandings of today's world.
-To help you address the issue of your own identity in life. The course will teach you that identity extends beyond just superficial categories, like ethnicity, religion, or gender. We all face some identity crisis at some point in life, and hopefully, literature will have taught you to deal with those problems more wisely in the future."
Class Materials (Required)
"-Victor Pelevin, The Life of Insects, Gardners Books, 1999, 0571194052
-Victor Pelevin, Buddha's Little Finger, Penguin Books, 2001, 0141002328
-Orhan Pamuk, The White Castle, Vintage, 1998, 0375701613
-Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red, Vintage, 2002, 0375706852"
Class Attributes
Advanced Expression
Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area
Interdisciplinary Distro-rules apply
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area