Course code Folk4012;

2 credit points

Course developer: Dr. Raimonds Auskaps
Course abstract

The course is designed to provide students with the basic background information for reading and analysing Latvian literature. Each author and each work is placed in its historical context. The course follows up the development of Latvian literature starting from its very origins in Latvian folklore, through National Awakening, during the Republic of Latvia between the two world wars, during the Soviet occupation, to contemporary writing. The course consists of lectures and discussions, paying attention to the most significant periods and authors. The students read and discuss the works of Latvian literature translated into English, linking the respective material with Latvian mentality and the concrete historical period.

Results

During the course, the students are supposed to acquire basic facts about Latvian folklore and literature, develop the skill to analyse works of literature.

Course description-general outline

1. The Concept and Subdivision of Folklore. Latvian Poetic Folklore, its Genres. Dainas.
2. Narrative Folklore. Brachylogisms. Latvian Mythology.
3. National Awakening of 19th c. New Latvians. J.Alunāns. Brothers Kaudzīte. “The Time of Land-surveyors”. A.Pumpurs. “Lāčplēsis”.
4. Romantic Poetry of Auseklis. Apsīšu Jēkabs. “Rich Relatives”. Creative work of A.Brigadere.
5. Creative work of R.Blaumanis. Creative work of Aspazija, Creative work of Rainis.
6. Innovative poetry of E.Veidenbaums. Creative work of J.Jaunsudrabiņš. Creative work of J.Poruks. Creative work of V.Plūdons.
7. Creative work of A.Upīts. Fairy-tales of K.Skalbe. E.Virza. “Straumēni”. Stories of J.Ezeriņš. Creative work of A.Grīns.
8. Personality of Z.Mauriņa. Creative work of A.Čaks. Stories and Novels of Z.Skujiņš. Dramaturgy of G.Priede. Creative work of R.Ezera. Creative work of V.Belševica. Creative work of O.Vācietis. Creative wirk of I.Ziedonis. Novels of A.Bels. Creative work of M.Zālīte. Review of Creative work of Young Writers.

Requirements for obtaining credit points

There are discussions during the course. At the end of the course there is a written examination, in which students analyse a concrete work of Latvian literature.