Socialist Realism

What was the function and role of Socialist Realism art in the Soviet Union under Stalin? How did the dominant artistic method acquire a broader socio-political significance? Understanding the workings of Socialist Realism will allow us to re-examine how the totalitarian society had functioned and what impact it had made on contemporary culture. We will learn to analyze painting, literary and cinematic works of Socialist Realism and identify its features in today's Russophone culture in order to understand why intellectuals first embraced the new art form and, then, became disillusioned with it. All readings will be in English.