History of 20th-Century Belarusian Literature (1930s–1960s) 3221-FBA-HLB3060-OG

Can literature survive in the grip of a totalitarian regime? How do major political shifts and brutal state repression shape the artistic imagination? We invite you on a fascinating journey through one of the most dramatic yet incredibly rich periods in Belarusian cultural history – the 1930s to the 1960s.
This course explores the complex destinies of two generations of writers entangled in the Soviet communist reality. Together, we will examine the phenomenon of the tragically halted "Belarusianization" of the 1920s, analyze the destructive impact of Socialist Realism on creative freedom, and uncover the dark history behind the fabricated "Union for the Liberation of Belarus" trial, which triggered the bloody purges of the 1930s.
We will investigate how Belarusian literature of this era redefined concepts of national identity, the homeland, folklore, and the evolving structure of the family amidst collectivization and anti-kulak campaigns. A significant portion of the course is dedicated to the profound trauma of World War II, touching upon sensitive issues of partisan warfare, collaboration, and universal moral choices in inhuman times.
Beyond political and historical contexts, this course places a strong emphasis on artistic and aesthetic values. You will discover that 20th-century Belarusian literature extended far beyond rigid Soviet dogmas, incorporating brilliant elements of Imagism, Impressionism, Expressionism, psychological realism, and Behaviorism.

Featured Authors and Masterpieces:
Kuzma Chorny – psychological depth and powerful social commentary ("Lavon Bushmar", "The Third Generation").
Ivan Melezh & Ivan Shamyakin – epic panoramas of Polesian life and post-war dilemmas.
Vasil Bykau – existential human drama on the frontlines of war ("The Crane's Cry", "The Dead Feel No Pain", "Kruhlan Bridge").
Uladzimir Karatkievich – Belarusian neo-romanticism, gothic mystery, and historical romance ("The Wild Hunt of King Stach", "The Gypsy King").
Kastuś Akuła – "Harawatka". A centerpiece of our curriculum is the study of this monumental émigré masterpiece. Free from Soviet censorship, "Harawatka" provides an uncompromising, profoundly moving look at the tragedy of Western Belarus, the horrors of World War II, and the fate of individuals crushed between two totalitarian regimes. It is an essential text for understanding independent Belarusian identity.
Satirical dramas by Kandrat Krapiva, poetry by Maksim Tank, prose by Janka Bryl, as well as works by Alaksiej Karpiuk.
Course Objectives:
Through dynamic lectures and interactive seminars, this course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of literary history while developing advanced skills in critical text analysis. You will learn to read between the lines, decode political allegories, and appreciate the aesthetic resilience of a literature that fought to preserve its national soul – both at home and in exile.

Course coordinators

Mikałaj Chaustowicz

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

The student should be able to read fluently in the Belarusian language. They should possess a thorough knowledge of the history of Belarusian literature up to the 1930s—including the most prominent figures, historical events, and the content of key literary works—and understand the literary development process in Belarus.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge: a graduate knows and understands
K1_W02 to an advanced degree, the subject-specific and methodological specificity of literary studies
K1_W04 to an advanced degree, the terminology of literary studies
K1_W07 to an advanced degree, the historical-literary process and understands the impact of historical and cultural transformations on its development
K1_W12 to an advanced degree, theories and concepts within the scope of the history of ideas
Skills: a graduate can
K1_U01 search for, analyze, evaluate, select, and utilize information using multilingual sources, including internet sources
K1_U03 formulate and analyze research problems in the field of literary studies, as well as select appropriate research methods and tools
K1_U05 employ theoretical approaches, research paradigms, and concepts specific to literary studies when communicating with the environment, as well as during debates and discussions
K1_U06 recognize various types of literary works and conduct their critical analysis and interpretation in a broader context
K1_U08 provide substantive arguments and formulate conclusions using the views of other authors
K1_U11 prepare oral presentations in Polish and a foreign language on specific topics, utilizing theoretical approaches as well as various sources by other authors in Polish and a foreign language
K1_U14 plan and organize individual work and cooperate in a team (including within interdisciplinary tasks)
K1_U15 independently plan and implement their own lifelong learning
Social competences: a graduate is ready to
K1_K01 critically evaluate their possessed knowledge and the received content
K1_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems, and consult expert opinions
K1_K04 correctly identify and resolve professional dilemmas in accordance with the traditions and principles of professional ethics

Assessment criteria

The final grade will be based on the student's active participation in class and an oral exam at the end of the semester, consisting of three randomly drawn questions covering all the material discussed in class. While the assessment of class participation will focus primarily on the depth of the analysis of a selected literary work, the oral exam will focus on the understanding of literary processes and knowledge of the discussed contexts of literature.
Exam Form: Oral
During the exam, questions covering the issues presented during lectures and seminars will be asked.
I. Number of questions: 3.
II. Question scoring: from 3 to 0 points.
III. Conversion of points to grades:
4.5–5 pts. – satisfactory / dostateczny (3.0)
5.5–6 pts. – satisfactory plus / dostateczny plus (3.5)
6.5–7 pts. – good / dobry (4.0)
7.5–8 pts. – good plus / dobry plus (4.5)
8.5–9 pts. – very good / bardzo dobry (5.0)
9+ pts. – excellent / bardzo dobry z wykrzyknikiem (5.0!)
3 Points
The student: characterizes the epoch, period, or literary movement using various indicators (philosophical, ideological, poetological, etc.), names its representatives (including minor ones), demonstrates a detailed knowledge of the required reading list, conducts a comprehensive analysis (referring to genre, structure, and content), provides various research perspectives, and places the writer's work and the text within the historical-literary process. The response is spontaneous, comprehensive, and well-thought-out; the student extensively uses specialized terminology.
2 Points
The student: characterizes the epoch, period, or literary movement, demonstrates knowledge of the required reading list, conducts an analysis (referring to genre, structure, and content), and places the writer's work and the text in the context of the epoch. The response is fluent; the student uses specialized terminology.
1 Point
The student: to a limited extent and only after follow-up questions, characterizes the epoch, period, or literary movement, demonstrates a basic knowledge of the required reading list, conducts an analysis at a basic level (referring only to content), lists only some representatives of the movement and their works, and indicates only the constitutive features of the epoch, period, or literary movement. The response is fragmented and consists of disconnected pieces of information; the student requires guidance from the examiner.
Requirements for the "Excellent" (5.0!) grade:
3 points for each question,
Meeting the 3-point requirements and additionally: knowledge and skills beyond the curriculum, knowledge of readings outside the required reading list, references to world literature.
Course Credit: History of 20th-Century Belarusian Literature (1920s–1940s) – Seminars
The student is entitled to 2 unexcused absences; any subsequent absence requires an official excuse. The decision to accept an excuse rests with the lecturer. Exceeding excused and unexcused absences by 50% of classes may be grounds for failing the course.
The conditions for passing the course in the retake exam period (termin poprawkowy) are the same as in the first exam period.

Bibliography

1. „Historyja biełaruskaj litaratury XX st., t. 2: 1921-1941; Minsk 1999
2. „Historyja biełaruskaj litaratury XX st., t. 3: 1941-1965, Minsk 2002
3. „Historyja biełaruskaj litaratury XX st., t. 4, kn. 1: 1966-1985, Minsk 2004
4. Mìhasʹ Tyčyna, Fìlasofìâ lìtaratury: Belaruskì varyânt, Belaruskaâ navuka, Mìnsk 2014, 325 s.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes: