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Texas Tech
University
The
HONS 1301-03 (FYE): Introduction to Humanities –=
; The Brothers Karamazov
Fall 2006
TR 12.30-1.50 pm
Classroom: AD250
Costica Bradatan
Office: McClellan 202A
Office Hours: Wednesday 1.00-3.00pm, Tuesday &=
amp;
Thursday 2.00-3.00pm (& by appointment)
Office Phone:=
(806) 742-0036 =
(ext
248)
Email: c=
ostica.bradatan(at)ttu.edu
http://www.webpages.ttu.edu/cbradata/
Course Description:
In this seminar we will be considering The Brothers Karamazov from the
complementary angles of philosophy, theology, literary theory, and history =
of
ideas. The course will be divided into three main sections. The first secti=
on
offers an introduction to the relationship philosophy-literature in general,
and to Dostoevsky as a thinker in particular. In the second section, we will
have a closer look at the social, political, and cultural background against
which Dostoevsky’s work emerged. In the third section, we will be
focusing on the intrinsic qualities of Dostoevsky’s novel as a writing
with a distinct philosophical, political and theological content. At this s=
tage
discussions will be mostly clustered around Dostoevsky’s dealing with
such topics as theodicy, suffering, redemption, rebirth, quest for earthly
paradise, utopia, authenticity, Anti-Christ, foundations of morality, and o=
ther
topics. Also, the genesis and structure of The
Brothers Karamazov will be discussed in detail in this section.
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 for=
m,
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 f=
orth
is that philosophy comes to be considered in a broader, more comprehensive =
and
pluralistic manner.
At the same time, another fundamental supposition on wh=
ich
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:
· &n=
bsp;
The course will
familiarize students with some of Dostoevsky’s works and the fundamen=
tal
philosophical problems they raise. <=
/span>
· &n=
bsp;
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.
· &n=
bsp;
The course will help
students understand the major role that language, style, and writing play in
philosophy.
L= earning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course students will be able to: · &n= bsp; Perform textual analysi= s of a literary work with a philosophical content (the text)
· &n= bsp; Point to significant co= nnections between such a work and the cultural/intellectual environment of = its author (the historical context)
· Articulate an interdisc=
iplinary understanding of such a work (the interdisciplinary approach to th=
e text)<=
o:p> R= equired Texts:
· =
Belknap,
Robert (1990), The Genesis of the Brothers Karamazov=
(
· =
Dostoevsk=
y,
Fyodor (1994) Notes from Undergroun=
d
(
· =
Dostoevsk=
y, Fyodor
(2002) The Karamazov Brothers (=
· &n=
bsp;
Figes,
·
Freeborn,
Richard (2003), Dostoevsky (Life & Times) (Haus Publishing Limited). ISBN: 1904341276
All these books may =
be
purchased from the TTU bookstores. You may also
purchase them from other bookstores or online, provided that the ISBNs are =
the
ones given above.
Course Requirements:
- Regular attendance and active class
participation
- Four reading-based quizzes
- First draft of the research project<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>
- Final draft of the research project<= o:p>
- Oral defense of the project
1. Attendance and active class participation:
It is imperative that you attend every cl=
ass.
Please do not be late! Any unexcused absence will have an impact on your cl=
ass
participation/attendance grade (5% for each absence). After four (4) unexcu=
sed
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.) 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. Please be tolerant =
and
respect the religious, political and intellectual opinions of the other mem=
bers
of the class. Showing respect to the others is, first of all, a form of
self-respect.
2. Reading-based quizzes
There will be, at different times during the semester, four impromp=
tu
(unannounced) quizzes based on the class readings. Each quiz will consist of
five questions. Students who miss a quiz will be allowed to repeat it only =
if
their absence was excused (see above).
3-4. Research project:
The bulk of the final grade (see below
“Grading policy”) will be determined by the quality of the rese=
arch
project. This piece is the culmination of students’ work during the w=
hole
semester. It must be on a course-related topic, designed by the student in
consultation with the instructor. Students must think of a good topic for t=
heir
research project and discuss it with the instructor (stop by during office
hours or just make an appointment). 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 productio=
n of
this research paper are: a) Discussion of proposed topic with the instructo=
r.
b) Submission of the first draft (about 4 pages), and c) Submission of the
final draft (about 7 pages), at the end of the semester. (For deadlines, pl=
ease
see “Schedule of Events” below.)
5. Oral defense:
In the last couple of weeks of the semest=
er
students will have to defend their research project in class. This will be a
ten minute presentation in which they will present the main argument of the=
ir
project, support it with evidence and examples, and defend it against the
counterarguments brought by your peers and the instructor.
Individual conferences
Students are strongly encouraged to discu=
ss
with the instructor about any aspects of their work for this class, and in
particular about their research project. All students taking this course are
encouraged to make appointments with the instructor in order to discuss iss=
ues
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 when=
ever
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 project. 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 mak=
e an
appointment!).
Guidelines for Submission of Written Work:
· =
MLA Citation Style
· =
Word-process all wri=
tten
work; handwritten papers will not be accepted;
· =
Use standard font, i=
n 12
point; double-spaced.
· =
Number your pages;
· =
Staple your pages
together;
· =
At the top of the fi=
rst
page include your name, date, and essay title;
· =
Proofread and
spell-check before bringing any papers to class.
Grading Policy:
· =
10% &=
nbsp; Regular
attendance of seminar meetings.
· =
10% &=
nbsp; Active
participation in classroom discussions
· =
20% &=
nbsp; Reading-based
quizzes (5% each)
· =
20% &=
nbsp; First
draft of the research paper (graded)
· =
30% &=
nbsp; Final
draft of the research paper
· =
10% &=
nbsp; Oral
defense of the project
University Policies and Regulations:
The instructor of this course respects and
upholds University policies and regulations pertaining to the observation o=
f religious
holidays; assistance available to the physically handicapped, visually and/=
or
hearing impaired student; plagiarism; sexual harassment; and racial or ethn=
ic
discrimination. All students are advised to become familiar with the respec=
tive
University regulations and are encouraged to bring any questions or concern=
s to
the attention of the instructor.
Students with Disabilities:
In compliance with the University policy =
and
equal access laws, the instructor is available to discuss appropriate acade=
mic
accommodations that may be required for students with disabilities. Requests
for academic accommodations are to be made during the first three weeks of =
the
semester, except in unusual circumstances, so that arrangements can be made=
.
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 witho=
ut
acknowledging it (no matter if you use that person’s actual words=
or
not). Regardless of your background, you are responsible for not plagiarizi=
ng.
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 read the document
“Academic Integrity at Texas Tech”: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentjudicialprograms/AcademicIntegrity.htm=
Tentative Schedule of Events
I. Introductory issues
Week 1:
· =
Tu=
esday
(8/29)
o
Topic: Introduction. Overview of the course.
o
Discussion: The use of literature for life&nbs=
p;
· =
Th=
ursday
(8/31)
o
Topic: Biography and self-overcoming (the case of Dostoevsky)
o
Movie watching: “Fyodor Dostoevsky” (Series=
: Great
Russian writers; 30 min.)
o
Discussion: Becoming who we are
o
Week 2:
· =
Tu=
esday
(9/5)
o
Topic: The overlap philosophy/literature. “Literary genres” in
philosophy: dialogue, confession, poetry, fables, etc. The limits of the
philosophical/intellectual discourse.
o
Discussion: When words are not enough.
o
II. The Russian World
· =
Th=
ursday
(9/7)
o
Topic: Introduction to the Russian culture (I)
o
Movie watching: Andrei Ruble=
v (fragments)
o
Week 3:
· =
Tu=
esday
(9/12)
o
Topic: Introduction to Russian culture (II)
o
Movie watching: Andrei Rublev
(fragments)
o
· =
Th=
ursday
(9/14)
o
Topic: Introduction to Russian culture (III)
o
Discussion: Understanding others
o
Week 4:
· =
Tu=
esday
(9/19)
o
Topic: Introduction to
o
· =
Th=
ursday
(9/21)
o
Topic: Introduction to Dostoevsky II. Overview of the main writings and
themes. The complexity of his work. Dostoevsky’s late political views.
His religious (Orthodox) background.
o
Discussion: How independent is (can be) one’s work from his/her personali=
ty?
o
Week 5:
· =
Tu=
esday
(9/26)
o
Topic: Dostoevsky and philosophy. Dostoevsky as a thinker. The influence of
his work on the 20th century philosophy. The Brothers Karamazov and philosophy.
o
Discussion: “literary philosophers” and “philosophical
literati”
o
III. The World of The Broth=
ers
Karamazov
· =
Th=
ursday
(9/28)
o
Topic: The underground man as a predecessor of the Karamazovs. Solitude an=
d alienation.
Meaninglessness. Quest for stable existential ground.
o
Discussion: The underground man and Ivan Karamazov
o
Week 6:
· =
Tu=
esday
(10/3)
o
Topic: The underground man and us. Dostoevsky as a visionary thinker.
o
Movie Watching: Taxi Driver (fragments)
o
· =
Th=
ursday
(10/5)
o
Topic: Radion Roskolnikov as predecessor of Ivan Karamazov. “If God =
is
dead, everything is permitted.” Murder as philosophical
(self-)experimentation.
o
Movie watching: “Match Point”
o
Week 7:
· =
Tu=
esday
(10/10)
o
Topic: Complexity of The Brothers<=
/i>:
at once, detective story, philosophical treatise, hagiographical writing, e=
tc.
o
Discussion: Dostoevsky’s unorthodoxy in using the established literary
genres.
o
· =
Th=
ursday
(10/12)
o
Topic: The Karamazov family as a domestic hell.
o
Movie watching: “The Celebration”
o
Deadline!
Submission of first
draft of the research paper.
Week 8:
· =
Tu=
esday
(10/17)
o
Topic: The genesis of The Brothers
Karamazov I
o
Discussion: Imagination and imitation
o
· =
Th=
ursday
(10/19)
o
Topic: The genesis of The Brothers
Karamazov II
o
Discussion: The place of Dostoevsky’s personal experiences in the novel. =
o
Week 9:
· =
Tu=
esday
(10/24)
o
Topic: The genesis of The Brothers
Karamazov III. Dostoevsky. The self and the others.
o
· =
Th=
ursday
(10/26)
o
Topic: Ivan is introduced. The discussion at the monastery. Ivan the
“paradoxalist”: defender of radical theocracy and atheist at the
same time.
o
Why is Ivan holding
contradictory views?
o
Week 10:
· =
Tu=
esday
(10/31)
o
Topic: The epistemological and=
the ethical corollaries of “If G=
od
does not exist.” Ivan’s godless epistemology. Ivan Karamazov and
Kant. Ivan’s godless epistemology and “the antinomies of pure
reason.”
o
Discussion: “If God does not exist, then…” Then what?
o
· =
Th=
ursday
(11/2)
o
Topic: Ivan’s Father. The “cosmic farce” argument for the
existence of God.
o
Discussion: How (un)serious is this argument.&=
nbsp;
o
Movie watching: “The Truman Show” (fragment=
s)
o
Week 11:
· =
Tu=
esday
(11/7)
o Topic: “If God does not exist, then who is laughing at man?” <= o:p>
o
Movie watching: “The Truman Show” (fragment=
s)
o
· =
Th=
ursday
(11/9)
o
Topic: The world as a farce of cruel God. Metaphysical scandal. Ivan’=
;s
Rebellion The suffering of children.
o
Close reading: Chapter “Rebellion”
o
Week 12:
· =
Tu=
esday
(11/14)
o
Topic: The unaccountability of (certain) sufferings. Ivan returns the tick=
et.
o
Close reading: Chapter “Rebellion”
o
· =
Th=
ursday
(11/16)
o
Movie watching: Orchestra
Rehearsal
o&nb=
sp;
Week 13:
· =
Tu=
esday
(11/21)
o
Topic: The Grand Inquisitor I. Freedom as burden. Human nature and personal
freedom.
o
Close
o
Movie watching: “Before the Rain” (fragment=
s)
o&nb=
sp;
Thanksgiving
Break
Week 14:
· =
Tu=
esday
(11/28)
o
Topic: The Grand Inquisitor II. Political theology. Dostoevsky and the Rus=
sian
mysticism. Dostoevsky and Soloviev.
o
6 Students present their research projects (sig=
n up
in advance!)
· =
Tu=
esday
(11/30)
o
Topic: The Grand Inquisitor III. The Grand Inquisitor and Father Zosima
o
6 Students present their research projects (sig=
n up
in advance!)
Week 15:
· =
Tu=
esday
(12/5)
o
Topic: Dostoevsky’s heritage
o
Discussion: What should we
learn from Dostoevsky?
o&nb=
sp;
o&nb=
sp;
6 Students present their research projects (sig=
n up
in advance!)
Deadline!
Submission of resear=
ch
paper (final version).
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