SLA 238
Czeslaw Milosz, Joseph Brodsky: Poetry and History
No P/D/F
Professor(s): Irena Gross

Description/Objectives:
Polish-born Czeslaw Milosz and Russian-born poet Joseph Brodsky both won Nobel Prizes in literature for the United States. In this course, which combines history of literature and intellectual history, we will treat their life stories as emblematic of historical, cultural, and political phenomena of the second part of the 20th century. On the basis of close textual analysis of major works by both poets, we will speak, among other things, about literary history, World War II, Polish-Russian relations, dominance of English-language poetry, growth of high culture in the United States, and the decline of exile.

Sample Reading List:
Milosz, Czeslaw , New and Collected Poems
Milosz, Czeslaw , To Begin Where I Am
Brodsky, Joseph , Collected Poems in English
Brodsky, Joseph , Less than One
Brodsky, Joseph , On Grief and Reason
Selected Readings On Twentieth Century European History , And Polish-Russian Relations

Reading/Writing Assignments: All readings will be in English. Students will be required to participate in class discussions, deliver one class presentation, write a short paper (5 pages) and one final paper (15 pages).

Requirements/Grading:
Paper in lieu of Midterm Exam: 20%
Paper in lieu of Final Exam: 30%
Oral Presentation(s): 20%
Precept Participation: 30%

Schedule/Classroom Assignment:
Class Number: 20722 - Seminar S01 : 3:00 pm - 4:20 pm T Th