Vladimir Nabokov's Russian America

The course offers a close reading study of Ada, one of the most challenging and provocative novels by Vladimir Nabokov. The historical, political and cultural situation in the 18th—20th centuries in the world and particularly in the USA will be explored through the "mirror" of the novel's alternative history. The earth is turned into Demonia or Antiterra with Estoty and Canady being Russian. Students are expected to be able to read the novel in its original, English, paying special attention to its Russian underlayer and study literary criticism by Brian Boyd, Charles Nicol, Nancy Zeller, Vladimir E. Alexandrov and many others. Foreign exchange students interested in Russian history and literature are encouraged to attend.