Welcome to Russian 291, Czech Literature, Film and Art.
Fall, 2006
Entries from 060827-060907:
Czech Writing and Phonology handout
Recording of Czech alphabet
Pronunciation samples
Selection from Svejk
A Note on the College Writing Requirement
Text selection of the first page of Svejk, recorded above
Posting of September 11
Dear Students! The next two or three weeks we will follow two spoors of Czech culture: the philosophical musings of Karel Capek in the 1920s and 30s, and Czech New Wave cinema of the 1960s. Somehow I like them together.
Assignment for Wednesday, Sep 13: Please read Rossum's Universal Robots
Assignment for Friday, Sep 15: View film, Loves of a Blonde, to be on reserve in Newcomb 402.
For Weds, Sep 20: Please read War with the Newts
For Fri, Sep 22: Please view Marketa Lazarova.
Topics for Capek: Dystopian vision of the robots; problems, solutions; classical echoes; shavian humor
Why do Czechs consider Capek so characteristic of the First Republic?
Newts: technique of journalism in the science-fantasy novel; alternative visions of the future from between-the-wars perspectives
Much more.
Topics for New Wave: What is New Wave? What elements of Czech society does Forman comment on in Loves? What is Marketa about as a film? Think up your own presentation topic.
Thank you!
Assignments for 25 Sep - early Oct
Assignments for Oct 11 and beyond
Tentative schedule for Presentations -- please see when you are scheduled
Assignment for Oct 25 and Oct 27
Assignment for W 1 Nov and F 3 Nov: Dear students, please begin reading The Engineer of Human Souls. It is huge and complicated, and to enjoy it you have to read it like a puzzle. Read it carefully. Take notes about things you didn't get. You're going to love this. The translation is superb. Note that Mr. Wilson ignores all diacritics, for better or for worse.
For Friday, get about, oh, perhaps 300 pp read. If you finish the book, don't tell everyone else what happens. This is a detective novel in spirit.
Students, please tell me the topic of your presentation.
Don't forget to watch your absences. Check the syllabus on this.
Thanks for all, gmc
Assignment for W Nov 8 and F Nov 10
Students, please continue reading Engineer. You should know what to read for and how to proceed. Do not be daunted. Pay special attention to Nadia, Vachousek, Uher, Marie Dreslerova, Irena/Irene, Mr. Skocdopole; in letters, watch Lojza, Booker, Vrata, Jan, Prema, Rebecca.
Next time I will discuss with each of your your presentation project. Amanda and Milla are already putting something good together. I ask you to put some time into this. If your presentation is weak, I will regretfully ask you to do a complex take-home exam.
Consider also your attendance. Andrew T. is in extremis; everyone else is not yet over the edge or is in really strong position — special kudos to Amanda, Paul, Dane, Andrew D. whom I thank for their superb participation, as well as to Professor Sullivan, of course. Dara is ok or not yet in extremis on attendance and gets very high marks for her participation. Milla is also ok and is doing good work. (Am I sounding like Danny?)
Thanks for your enthusiasm! — gmc
Assignment for W 15 and F 17 Nov. Please complete Engineer and prepare for a quiz on Weds. Topics: "Confrontations across culture and across time. Confronting literature, confronting others, confronting oneself." Check the date of your presentation. Be prepared with something good! See me in advance. Thanks for your enthusiasm, gmc