In Russia the “provinces” begin at the edges of Moscow and St Petersburg – everything beyond the two “capitals” is “provincial” in the world’s largest country. Thus, the vast majority of Russians live in the “provinces”, although the country’s culture is dominated by the two capitals (as are its economy and politics). The geographical extent of Russia, the frequent inaccessibility of even major centers of population, a very centralized institutional structure, obvious economic imbalances, and many other factors go into sustaining the sense that “provincial” Russia is remote, backward, and homogeneous. At the same time, opposite claims are often heard: that here is the “real” Russia, uncontaminated by non-native influences, unchanged by time, pure, and beautiful – a model from which the capitals have deviated to their own detriment.

This course will examine a series of images and constituent elements of the “provincial” in Russian culture, using readings not only from fiction, poetry, and travel narratives, but also from beyond the realm of belles lettres, and making extensive use of other materials (including videos). In a series of course modules we will explore how the Russian provinces have been imagined, presented, and distorted by those who inhabit them, by those who mythologize them, by those who dread them, and by those who love them.

Course Requirements:

Weekly, short response papers, two short essays; a final presentation, and a term paper will be required. The course is taught in Russian, with participation in discussions required. All assignments are in Russian.

Class Format:

Instruction will be largely synchronous, with some asynchronous elements. Lecture capture will be used and classes will be streamed live. Students may participate purely online, and the class will be designed to accommodate participants who may have to self-isolate.