SEEB1007 Bulgarian Literature 1 - the UCL School of Slavonic and ...

Course-Unit Outline Form
BULGARIAN LITERATURE 1
Picture
The course offers a basic introduction into the history of Bulgarian literature, focusing on the
medieval period until the 19 th century. It deals with the following issues: the influence of the
Byzantine cultural tradition on Bulgarian literature, Bulgarian literature during Ottoman times,
urban centres as the focal points of literary production during the 19 th century and the growth of a
secular literature, romanticism and traditional culture as a source of nation building.
PRELIMINARY READING
• Moser, Charles A. 1972. A History of Bulgarian Literature, 865-1944. The Hague: Mouton.
• St. Clement of Ohrid – Eulogy of St. Cyril
• Konstantin, bishop of Preslav - Didactic Gospel, Alphabet Prayer, Annunciation of the Evangel
• Chernorizets Hrabar - On Letters
• John the Exarch of Bulgaria – Selection from “Shestodnev” (Hexameron“Commentary on the
Six Days of Creation”)
• Previter Kosma – Beseda protiv bogomilite (Discourse against the Bogomils)
• Taina kniga (Secret Book)
• Bulgarian Apocryphal Cronicle
• Patriarch Evtimij – Zhitija na Svetci: Ivan Rilski, Petka TarnovskaIlarion Maglenski, Filoteja
Temnishka; Eulogies
• Grigorij Camblak – Eulogy of Evtimij
• Paisij Hilendarski – Slavenobolgarskaia Istorija
• Sofronij Vrachanski – Zhitie I stradaniie greshnago Sofronia
• Information about and Selected texts from some of the writers such as P. Beron, N. Rilski, D.
Chintulov, P. Slavejkov, D. I K. Miladinovi, R. Zhinzifov, Gr. Parlichev,V. Drumev, L.
Karavelov, Hr. Botev.

Course-Unit Outline Form
Title: Bulgarian Literature 1
Course Code: SEEB1007
Course-unit value: 0.5 cu
Availability: Second term
Open to: Bulgarian core of East European Studies degree (First year)
Any other student in any year
Course leader: Dr Iliya Nedin
Other participants:
Aims:
• To Introduce students to the history of literature in Bulgaria from the medieval times until 19th
century
• To locate “classical” texts in their cultural-historical context
• To develop skills of working with literary texts
Objectives: By the end of the course, you will have acquired:
• A basic knowledge of Bulgarian history of literature
• A thorough knowledge of some “classical” medieval texts influential and significant for the
development of other Medieval East European Slavic literatures
• A basic knowledge of literature from the time of Bulgarian Renaissance (1762 - 1878)
Teaching & Learning Methods: Number of Hours:
Seminars, tutorials 20
Assessment: by coursework only (100%)
Coursework: One essay of 1500 words to be submitted after reading week
Final Essay of 3500 words to be submitted in the last week of term
AFFILIATE STUDENTS:
First Semester only: No
Second Semester only: Yes