Living, Dying, Healing in Russia

Explores ways historical, cultural, political forces shape major moments of the life course and the stories told to make sense of them. Team taught by a professor of literature and a professor of anthropology, focus is on family life, sexuality, childbearing and its prevention; biomedical health care and alternative healing; survival in gulag (concentration camp) conditions; care for the dead and dying and their families. By examining compelling works from a range of genres—short story, ethnographic case study, memoir, and novel—students will learn analytical techniques from both fields, and hone interpretive and writing skills. Knowledge of Russian is not required.