Syllabus

Honors 3950-002 (17609)

Turgenev, Dostoevsky and Russian Terrorism

3 Credits

This course meets IR Gen Ed requirement(s).

Pre-requisite – none

Time – 12:25-1:45, Tuesday/Thursday

Location – MHC 1206A

Instructor –Gene Fitzgerald

Email –

Phone – 801-521-5790

Office Location & Hours – I have no real office so meetings can take place in the honors building café before and after class. Best to make an appointment so I can show up early (after class no problem).

Course Overview

Turgenev, Dostoevsky and Russian Terrorism.

While there is no one definition of terrorism it can be defined as the use of violence or threat of violence against civilians to create political, religious, or ideological change. It is especially aimed at the overthrow of government institutions and leaders. In this course we will examine how the philosophies of the Russian “Westernizer fathers” of the 1840s resulted in nihilism, terrorism and terrorist activity of the revolutionary sons of the 1860s and 70s. Readings will be Ivan Turgenev’s Fathers and Children (also translated as “Fatthers and Sons”). As part of the Turgenev reading will also read his long essay “Hamlet and Don Quixote” (in “Class Materials”) We will then read Part one of Dostoevsky’s very complicated “Notes from the Underground” as well as two essays, the first is a meditation written on the death of his first wife, and the second an unfinished essay entitled “Socialism and Christianity,” (the essays will be in “class materials ”l We will then concentrate on Dostoevsky’s rather long 1871-72 novel The Demons which is in part based on Sergei Nechaev’s 1869 “Catechism of a Revolutionary” a handbook of the manner in which terrorists should conduct themselves, terrorist behavior, and goals, and the murder of one conspirator by others to cement the group together so that if one confesses, all of them will be compromised. Dostoevsky creates characters that form all of these groups but who also embodies the “cursed questions”: the meaning of life, the nature and existence of God/Christ, ethics and morality, among other things.

[from course catalog or as you wish to describe course (if a newly designed course)]

Course Objectives

In this course, students will be prepared to:

  1. Read and discuss complicated Russian novels as well as additional philosophical material by the authors Ivan Turgenev and Fyodor Dostoevsky.
  2. Discuss rather complicated concepts of theoretical terrorism and its goals.
  3. Write coherent papers on the subject matter by defining the object of the paper, demonstrating the the object of the paper, and finally summarizing the the paper. IN short, tell me what you are gong to do, do what you are going to do, tell me what you have done.

Required Texts

Reading list:

  1. Ivan S. Turgenev, Fathers and Sons. Tr. Rosemary Edmonds. Penguin classics ISBN-10 0140441476; ISBN-13 978-0140441475.
  2. Fyodor Dostoevsky, Demons: A novel in Three Parts. Tr. and annotated RichardPevear, Larissa Volokhansky. Vintage Classics. ISBN-10 0679734511; ISBN-13 978-0679734512 Fyodor Dostoevsky,
  3. Notes from the Underground. Any translation will do though I prefer the translation by Pevear and Volokhansky. Vintage Classics. ISBN-10:067973452XISBN-13:978-0679734529
  4. And finally I will put together a “Class Materials” containing the essays mentioned above, among other things.

[list texts, readings, materials]

Teaching and Learning Methods

This is a lecture/ discussion course. I lecture you discuss. I will have constant in class questions and I depend on students’ also having questions for class discussion. This puts an obligation on students to have read the material by class time. Discussions should concentrate on the class material and not on your life’s experiences, unless that experience pertains to what we have read. Then a certain amount of digression will be permitted. On the other hand, since we will examine Russianterrorism and how it is similar to or different from the terrorism that has become such a large part of our lives now, references to terrorist activity in the world and how it relates to the reading material will be encouraged.

Grades will be based on class discussions and several assigned papers. One on Fathers and Sons, one paper summarizing Dostoevsky’s thought, and one on Demons. One thought: I will create teams who will present an in class presentation summarizing with critical commentary an article from a journal about the novel, Demons.

Note: We may not need all the time I have allotted to “Demons”. Time will tell.

Policies

Attendance is required, however, there are always extenuating circumstances. If you know beforehand that you will not be able to attend please e-mail me with that information.

Food & Drink: Since we meet over the noon hour some food and drink will be allowed, but not excessive (what is excessive to be determined).

Cell Phones & Computers: Students are encouraged to bring personal computers to class, which are to be used for note taking or other course related purposes. Computers, cell phones, tablets and other electronic media may not be used for surfing the web, emailing or other non-course related matters.

Prohibition on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

“Plagiarism” means the intentional unacknowledged use or incorporation of any other person’s work in, or as a basis for, one’s own work offered for academic consideration or credit for public presentation. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, representing as one’s own without attribution, any individual’s words, phrasing, ideas, sequence of ideas, information or any other mode or content of expression (Student Code, p. 3 at

Plagiarism, using others’ work without proper citation, is a serious offense. Plagiarism cases will be reported to the relevant authorities and may result in severe consequences; including, but not limited to, taking a grade reduction, receiving a failing grade for the course, suspension or dismissal from the program. You need to refer to any source even if it is an internet source.

In accordance with University policy (as articulated in the Student Code), academic misconduct—including creating, fabrication of information and plagiarism—is not acceptable. A student found engaging in this behavior may receive a failing grade. If at any time you are unsure whether your actions constitute academic misconduct, please see me in order to clarify the matter. See the following link for more information:

Sexual Assault and Harassment

Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender (which includes sexual orientation and gender identity/expression) is a Civil Rights offense subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, color, religion, age, status as a person with a disability, veteran’s status or genetic information. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to report it to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 135 Park Building, 801‑581-8365, or the Office of the Dean of Students, 270 Union Building, 801-581-7066. For support and confidential consultation, contact the Center for Student Wellness, 426 SSB, 801‑581-7776. To report to the police, contact the Department of Public Safety, 801-585-2677 (COPS).

Wellness Statement

Personal concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, depression, cross-cultural differences, etc., can interfere with a student’s ability to succeed and thrive at the University of Utah. For helpful resources contact the Center for Student Wellness - 801-581-7776.

Changes to Syllabus

I retain the right to make changes to the course syllabus, course schedule, assignments, due dates and other course requirements. Students will be notified promptly of any changes.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Olpin Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. All information in this course can be made available in alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services.

Veterans Center
If you are a student veteran, I want you to know that the U of Utah has a Veterans Support Center on campus. They are located in Room 161 in the Olpin Union Building. Hours: M-F 8-5pm. Please visit their website for more information about what support they offer, a list of ongoing events and links to outside resources: Please also let me know if you need any additional support in this class for any reason.

LGBT Resource Center
If you are a member of the LGBTQ community, I want you to know that my classroom is a safe zone*. Additionally, please know that the U of Utah has an LGBT Resource Center on campus. They are located in Room 409 in the Oplin Union Building. Hours: M-F 8-5pm. You can visit their website to find more information about the support they can offer, a list of events through the center and links to additional resources: Please also let me know if there is any additional support you need in this class.

Learners of English as an Additional/Second Language
Ifyou are an English language learner, please be aware of several resources on campus that will support you with your language development and writing. These resources include: the Department of Linguistics ESL Program ( the Writing Center ( the Writing Program ( the English Language Institute ( Please let me know if there is any additional support you would like to discuss for this class.

Assignments week by week.

Jan 9/11—Intro to each other and me. Class outline, materials. Decembrists, Slavophiles-Westernizers, Difference between 1840s-1860s.

Jan 16/18—Chernyshevsky and Russian Socialists. Turgenev—Hamlet and Don Quixote. Begin Fathers and Sons.

Jan 23/25—Fathers and Sons

Jan 30/Feb 1—Fathers and Sons

Feb 6/8—Fathers and Sons.

Feb 13/15—Dostoevsky—Meditation on Masha, Socialism and Christianity. Cast Iron thinking.

Feb 20/22—Notes from the Underground. Paper due on Fathers and Sons.

Feb 27/Mar 1—Nechaev, “Catechism of a Revolutionary. “ Intro to “Demons.”

Mar 6/8—Demons

Mar 13/15--DemonsPaper due summarizing Dostoevsky’s thought based on materials.

Mar 20/22—Spring Break.

Mar 27/29-- Demons

Apr 3/5—Demons—Article discussion?

Apr 10/12--Demons

Apr 17/19--Demons

Apr 24--Paper due on Demons. This paper can be sent on line.