HIST333 - NAPOLEONIC ERA & TOLSTOY
Description:
In this course we will read what many consider to be the greatest book in world literature. This
work, Tolstoy's War and Peace, is devoted to one of the most momentous periods in world
history, the Era of the French Revolutions and of Napoleon (1789-1815). We will study both the
novel and the era of the Napoleonic Wars: the military campaigns of Napoleon and his
opponents, the grand strategies of the age, political intrigues and diplomatic betrayals, the
ideologies and human dramas, the relationship between art and history. How does literature help
us to understand this era? How does history help us to understand this great novel?
This semester marks the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's attempt to conquer Russia and achieve
world domination, the campaign of 1812. Because we will read War and Peace over the course 2
of the entire semester, readings will be manageable (circa 100 pages of the epic and 50 pages of
additional reading per week) – and very enjoyable.
Instructors:
HOLQUIST, PETERVINITSKY, ILYA
Day and Time:
TR 0130PM-0300PM
Room:
CLAUDIA COHEN HALL 402
Activity:
LEC
Cross Listings:
- COML236401
- RUSS240401
Syllabus:
Registration Notes:
CROSS CULTURAL ANALYSIS; ALL READINGS AND LECTURES IN ENGLISH