Home // Curriculum Vitae // Publications // Research Interests // Teaching // References // Links
Miami University
Department of Philosophy
PHL 310/RUS 250: Dostoevsky as a Social
Philosopher
Spring
2006
MW
Classroom: 220 Culler
Hall
Syllabus
Dr. Costica Bradatan
Office:
221 Hall Auditorium,
Office
Hours: Tuesday
Office
Phone: (513) 529-4739
Email:
bradatc@muohio.edu
Webpage: http://www.users.muohio.edu/bradatc/
Course Description:
This course proposes a consideration of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novels (in
particular: Notes from Underground, Crime and Punishment, The Possessed and The Brothers Karamazov) as writings with a distinct (and original)
philosophical content. Combining philosophical interpretation, literary
scholarship, and theological analysis, the course deals with a number of topics
central to Dostoevsky’s universe, such as: solitude, alienation, suicide,
death, nihilism, solidarity, revolution, community, freedom, theodicy, faith,
sin, innocence, guilt, redemption, sainthood, and other topics. Throughout the
course a special attention will be paid to the overlap between philosophy and
literature and, in particular, to the specific narrative, rhetorical and
stylistic modalities through which a work of fiction can harbor, nourish, and
convey a philosophical message. These are only some of the questions to be
addressed in the course of this interdisciplinary enquiry: What is gained and
what is lost when a philosophical topic (or problem, idea, insight) is being
dealt with in a literary fashion (that is, embodied into literary situations,
characters, plots)? What should/could philosophers learn from fiction writers?
What should/could fiction writers learn from philosophers? What role does
“literariness” play in philosophy writing?
Course Rationale:
One of the
basic presuppositions of this course is that philosophy is to be found not only
in philosophy books, but also in other places, such as works of fiction.
Consequently, it invites/challenges students to learn how to detect a
philosophical content in non-philosophical situations, how to recognize a philosophical
problem when this is presented in a narrative form, or, in general, when it is
displayed using stylistic modalities that are not practiced anymore by today’s
philosophers (parables, fables, poems, etc.). One of the major scholarly
advantages that such an approach brings forth is that philosophy comes to be
considered in a broader, more comprehensive and pluralistic manner.
At the same
time, another fundamental supposition on which this whole course is based is
that the works of fiction are not confined to the specific study of literary
scholars, but they have to be seen as open, multi-facetious, meaningful in a
variety of ways and useful for a variety of purposes.
Course Goals:
·
The course will familiarize students with some of
Dostoevsky’s works and the fundamental philosophical problems they raise.
·
The course will make students realize the
dialectical relationship between philosophy and literature, how philosophy
overlaps with literature, and how relative disciplinary boundaries sometimes
are.
·
The course will help students understand the major
role that language, style, and writing play in philosophy.
Required Texts:
·
Bakhtin,
Mihail (1984), Problems of Dostoevsky’s
Poetics, Edited and translated by Caryl; Introduction by Wayne C. Booth (
·
Berdyaev,
Nicolas (1984), Dostoevsky. An
Interpretation, Translated by Donald Attwater (
·
Dostoevsky,
Fyodor (1994) Notes from Underground
(
·
Dostoevsky,
Fyodor (1984), Crime and Punishment (
·
Dostoevsky,
Fyodor (2000), The Possessed (aka Demons) (
·
Dostoevsky,
Fyodor (2002) The Karamazov Brothers (
·
Harper,
Ralph (1965), Seventh Solitude:
Metaphysical Homelessness in Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, and Nietzsche (
- Koestler, Arthur
(1968), Darkness at
- Miller, Robin Feuer
(1986), Critical Essays on
Dostoevsky (
- Sandoz, Ellis
(2000), Political Apocalypse. A
Study of Dostoevsky’s Grand Inquisitor (
It is recommended that those books marked with an
asterisk (*) be purchased as they will be used more extensively. You should be
able to find them at the MU Bookstores. Fragments from books marked with ** are on electronic
reserve (password: phl310).
Course Requirements:
- One research paper, developed in three stages
- Oral presentation
- Regular attendance and participation in class
- Individual conferences
1. Research paper:
The bulk of the final grade (see below “Grading policy”) will be
determined by the quality of the research paper. This piece is the culmination of
students’ work during the whole semester. It must be on a course-related topic,
designed by the student in consultation with the instructor. The research paper
must be conceived of, structured, developed and written in such a way as to
meet the standards of academic excellence in the humanities, and following the
guidelines for submission of written work listed below. The three stages for
the production of this research paper are: a) Submission of proposed topic,
brief description and basic bibliography (1/2 pages). b) Submission of the
first draft (4/5 pages), and c) Submission of the final draft (8/10 pages).
(For deadlines, please see “General Schedule of Events” below.)
2. Oral presentation:
Each student is expected to present the reading(s) for at least one
session and then briefly conduct the subsequent discussion. Each oral
presentation will be graded and will count toward the final grade. A good
presentation means: a careful reading of the texts in question, placing these
texts within the context of the author’s work, rendering the material into a
coherent, well-structured, and agreeable form, and presenting it in a clear
manner to the other students attending the class. For a good – to excellent –
oral presentation grade, you are encouraged to read as much as you can by, and
about, the author whose texts you decide to present. If you make a second
presentation during the semester, that will be graded separately, and its grade
will count toward the final grade, too. You are encouraged (although not required)
to design your research paper in such a way as to be able to use in it those
texts you have read for preparing your oral presentations.
3. Attendance and
participation in class:
It is imperative that you attend every class. Please do not be late! Any
unexcused absence will have an impact on your class participation/attendance
grade (5% for each absence). After five (5) unexcused absences the instructor
may, at his discretion, recommend the University Registrar to drop the student from the course.
An absence is excused when you provide serious documented evidence about
it (signed note from the physician, signed letter from the Dean, death notice,
etc.) Fore more about class attendance please consult the 2005-2006 Student Handbook: http://www.miami.muohio.edu/documents_and_policies/handbook/
(“Class Attendance”). Active participation
in classroom discussions includes (but is not limited to): posing relevant questions;
making informed comments and formulating original points of view, establishing
a fruitful dialogue with the other students during the class, etc. When
formulating your points of view, remarks or comments, please do so in a
respectful manner, in such a way as not to harm the feelings of the other
members of the class.
4. Individual
conferences:
Students are strongly encouraged to discuss with the instructor about any
aspects of their work for this class, and in particular about their research
paper. All students taking this course are encouraged to make appointments with
the instructor in order to discuss issues related to the course. The instructor
may ask you to come in at other times for discussing particular issues. Please
feel free to email the instructor whenever you need to discuss with him aspects
of your work.
As the semester progresses each of you must think of
a topic for your research paper. The topic for this final essay is designed by
you, but must be course-related, and discussed with the instructor (on the
occasion of a conferences or just make an appointment!).
Guidelines for
Submission of Written Work:
·
MLA Citation Style
·
Word-process all written work; handwritten papers
will not be accepted;
·
Use standard font, in 12 point; double-spaced.
·
Number your pages;
·
Staple your pages together;
·
At the top of the first page include your name,
date, and essay title;
·
Proofread and spell-check before bringing any papers
to class.
Grading Policy:
·
10% Regular
attendance of seminar meetings.
·
10% Active
participation in classroom discussions
·
20% Oral
presentation
·
20% First
draft of the research paper
·
40% Final
draft of the research paper
The grades for class attendance and participation
will be determined only after all class meetings take place, at the end of
semester. The grade for the first draft of the research paper will be
communicated along with the instructor’s feedback. The final grade will be
determined after you submit the final draft of the research paper.
University Policies and
Regulations:
The instructor of this course respects and upholds University policies
and regulations pertaining to the observation of religious holidays; assistance
available to the physically handicapped, visually and/or hearing impaired
student; plagiarism; sexual harassment; and racial or ethnic discrimination.
All students are advised to become familiar with the respective University
regulations and are encouraged to bring any questions or concerns to the
attention of the instructor.
Students with
Disabilities:
In compliance with the
Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism, or academic theft, is passing off someone else’s work as your
own. Please note: plagiarism simply means using
someone else’s ideas without acknowledging it (no matter if you use that
person’s actual words or not). Regardless of your background, you are
responsible for not plagiarizing. Plagiarism will be prosecuted; it can affect
your permanent record. Being a plagiarizer is incomparably worse than being
unoriginal! For more about plagiarism (and academic dishonesty in general),
please consult 2005-2006 Student Handbook: http://www.miami.muohio.edu/documents_and_policies/handbook/
(“Academic misconduct”)
General Schedule of Events
I. Introductory issues
Week 1:
·
Monday (1/9)
o
Topic: Introduction. (Overview of the course.) The
overlap philosophy/literature. The problem of genres in philosophy. The “literary
genres” in philosophy: dialogue, confession, poetry, fables.
o
Discussion/Debate: How can literature help
philosophy? How can philosophy help literature?
·
Wednesday (1/11)
o
Topic: Philosophy as a way of life
o
Film: “The Life of David Gale”
Week 2:
·
Monday (1/16)
o
No Classes (Martin Luther Kind Day)
·
Wednesday (1/18)
o
Topic: Introduction to Dostoevsky I (Biography.
Historical Context. Dostoevsky’s involvement in revolutionary circles. The
experience of prison and exile.)
o
Film: “Fyodor Dostoevsky” (Series: Great Russian
writers)
o
Week 3:
·
Monday (1/23)
o
Topic: Introduction to Dostoevsky II (Overview of the
main writings and themes. The complexity of his work.)
o
Discussion: How independent is one’s work from his/her
personality?
o
·
Wednesday (1/25)
o
Topic: Dostoevsky and philosophy (Dostoevsky as a
thinker. Why, how and when philosophers became interested in Dostoevsky’s
works)
o
Discussion: “literary philosophers” and “philosophical
literati”
o
II. Individual (Notes from Underground & Crime and Punishment)
Week 4:
·
Monday (1/30)
o
Topic: The underground man (Presentation of Notes…What is at stake in this novel.)
o
Discussion: The underground man c’est moi.
o
·
Wednesday (2/1)
o
Topic: Despair, alienation, cynicism (The Existentialist
context. Existentialist motifs in Dostoevsky’s Notes…Dostoevsky and his posthumous career as an Existentialist.)
o
Film: “Taxi Driver”
o
Week 5:
·
Monday (2/6)
o
Topic: The rhetoric of confession in Notes… (The use of confession in philosophy. The underground man
and J.J. Rousseau’s Confessions.
Confession and self-knowledge.)
o
Discussion: The rhetoric of frankness
o
·
Wednesday (2/8)
o
Topic: Solitude (Solitude as the absence of
others/solitude as the absence of God. Solitude in Nietzsche and Kierkegaard. Dostoevsky’s nihilism.)
o
Discussion: Philosophy and solitude
o
Film: “The Seventh Seal”
o
Week 6:
·
Monday (2/13)
o
Topic: A detective story with a philosophical twist
(Presentation of Crime… What is at
stake in the novel. The Napoleonic motif)
o
Film: “Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment” (Series:
“Ten great writers of the modern world”)
o
·
Wednesday (2/15)
o
Topic: “If God is dead, everything is permitted”
(Dostoevsky and Nietzsche. Roskolnikov attempts to be an Ubermensh. God as the only foundation of morality.)
o
Film: “A Short Film about Killing”
o
Deadline!
Submission of topic, brief description and basic
bibliography for the research paper.
Week 7:
·
Tuesday (2/21) (Monday classes meet this day;
Monday is President’s Day)
o
Topic: Murder as philosophical self-experimentation
(Philosophical self-experimentation in Nietzsche and Dostoevsky.)
o
·
Wednesday (2/22)
o
Topic: Redemption (Dostoevsky’s Christianity. Dostoevsky
and the tradition of Russian mysticism. Auto-biographical elements. Eros &
Agape. The discovery of “the others.”)
o
Discussion: Remorse, Rebirth, Redemption
o
III. Society (The Possessed)
Week 8:
·
Monday (2/27)
o
Topic: The world of The
Possessed (Presentation of The
Possessed. Dostoevsky’s new attitudes towards socialism and revolution.)
o
Discussion: Dostoevsky’s conversion
o
·
Wednesday (3/1)
o
Topic: The evil revolution I (Theology of revolution. The
anatomy of wickedness.)
o
Film: “Burnt by the sun”
o
Week 9:
·
Monday (3/6)
o
Topic: The evil revolution II (Dostoevsky and the
Bolshevik revolution.)
o
Discussion: “Burnt by the Sun”
o
·
Wednesday (3/8)
o
Topic: The phenomenology of suicide I (Kirillov’s theory
of suicide. Reason and nothingness.)
o
Discussion: Kirillov as a philosopher
o
Spring Break:
·
Monday (3/13)
o
No classes
·
Wednesday (3/15)
o
No classes
Week 10:
·
Monday (3/20)
o
Topic: The phenomenology of suicide II (Kirillov’s
nihilism. Kirillov and his XX-th century disciples. Kirillov as a “God-is-dead”
theologian.)
o
Film: “The Barbarian Invasions”
o
·
Wednesday (3/21)
o
Topic: Stavrogin (The fascination with evil. Evil-doing
as a metaphysical rebellion.)
o
Discussion: Stavrogin’s confession
o
Deadline!
Submission of first draft of the research paper.
III. Perfect Society (The Brothers Karamazov)
Week 11:
·
Monday (3/27)
o
Topic: The world of the Karamazovs (Presentation of the
novel. The use of discourse in the novel. Complexity of The Brothers: at once, detective story, philosophical treatise,
hagiographical writing, etc. Dostoevsky’s unorthodoxy in using the established
literary genres.)
o
Discussion: The architecture of The Brothers Karamazov
o
·
Wednesday (3/29)
o
Topic: Polyphony (Dostoevsky’s multiple voices. Bakhtin’s
reading of Dostoevsky. The self and the others. Carnival in The Brothers...)
o
Week 12:
·
Monday (4/3)
o
Topic: Ivan’s Rebellion (Ivan’s theodicy. The suffering
of children. God is not dead, but he is evil and useless.)
o
Film: “Celebration”
o
·
Wednesday (4/5)
o
Topic: Ivan as a Philosopher I
o
Week 13:
·
Monday (4/10)
o
Topic: Ivan as a Philosopher II
o
·
Wednesday (4/12)
o
Topic: The Grand Inquisitor I (Political theology.
Political Messianism. Dostoevsky and the Russian mysticism. Dostoevsky and
Solovyov. “The legend of the Grand Inquisitor” as a theological writing.)
o
Discussion: Christ and Anti-Christ
o
Week 14:
·
Monday (4/17)
o
Topic: The Grand Inquisitor II (The Grand Inquisitor’s
perfect society. The Grand Inquisitor and the totalitarianisms of the XX-th
century)
o
Film: “Orchestra Rehearsal”
o
Discussion: “Darkness at
o
·
Wednesday (4/19)
o
Topic: The City of
o
Discussion: Dostoevsky as a hagiographer
o
Week 15:
·
Monday (4/24)
o
Topic: Alyosha (Alyosha’s angelism. Alyosha as the
unifying factor in the novel. The two poles: Alyosha and Smerdyakov. The
ultimate message of the novel.)
o
·
Wednesday (4/26)
o
Topic: Dostoevsky as a social philosopher (Course’s
conclusions)
o
Course
evaluation by students.
Deadline!
Submission of research paper (final version).
Home // Curriculum Vitae // Publications // Research Interests // Teaching // References // Links
