SCAND 345 A: Baltic Cultures

JSIS A 345 / SCAND 345: Baltic Cultures (VLPA/I&S)

Instructor: Guntis Šmidchens, guntiss@uw.edu

Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30-2:20 in Smith Hall 107

This course gives a broad introduction to the cultures of the Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians.  Baltic folklore, literature, music and film will be studied in its historical context, exploring the relation between people and culture in the Baltic countries.

Special events planned for fall quarter 2018 include

• class visit by leading American scholar of Lithuanian literature, Violeta Kelertas
• class visit by leading American scholar of Baltic film, Liina-Ly Roos
• class visit by bestselling Latvian author, Nora Ikstena (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• class concert/discussion by folk revival group, Vilkači ("werewolves") (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Course Objectives

• Read three books by Baltic authors (Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian)
• Read and discuss selected songs, poems and stories, listen to music, see pictures and videos created by people in the Baltic
• Investigate connections between these works and people in the Baltic: How are they related to history and identity?
• Develop skills to interpret, critique and perform literature and art

Required Readings

• Nora Ikstena, Soviet Milk (2015, translated 2018)
• Andrus Kivirähk, The Man Who Spoke Snakish (2007, translated 2015)
• Žemaitė, Tofylis, or The Marriage of Zosė (1897, translated 2018)
• Selected readings and films posted on Canvas website

Grades

• 40% Four take-home exam essays about assigned readings
• 10% Final Exam/Literary Slam: Read/Perform a work of Baltic Culture!
• 30% Point person/discussion starter for assigned readings
• 20% Independent reading/film essay

Copy of paper syllabus handed out in class. Please see "Discussions" page on this website for reading assignments, links, and updated information. 

Please send questions to guntiss@uw.edu