Artist in Power: The King as Narrator

Faculty:

Dmitry Bykov

Fall 2025: September – October (5 weeks)

Subject: 22

Level: 200

Credits: 1 US / 2 ECTS

Max Enrollment: 22

Schedule

Language of Instruction: Russian

Prerequisites:No

This seminar explores the evolving role of the artist as a figure of political power. We will examine how storytelling, performance, and public image have become central to political leadership in the 21st century. Case studies will include historical and contemporary figures – from Nero and Ludwig of Bavaria to Ronald Reagan and Vladimir Zelensky – whose artistic or theatrical backgrounds shaped their approach to governance. Through biographical texts, dialogues, and cultural analysis, we will consider the ways in which rulers use myth-making and narrative control to shape national identity and legitimacy. Final assignment: students will create a fictional manifesto for an imagined leader of 2026, drawing on the literary, historical, and political models discussed in the course.

Guidelines for the Statement of Purpose:
Craft a reflective statement of purpose explaining your interest in the Smolny Beyond Borders online course. The file should be saved with your name and course title as the filename and uploaded accordingly. Your statement’s clarity and substance will significantly influence our selection. Convey your motivations and aspirations for this course succinctly but thoroughly. Kindly write your statement in the course’s Language of Instruction.

Application Portal Instructions:
1) Use the Latin alphabet for all entries on the portal, including your name. If the Language of Instruction is Russian, you may use Cyrillic only within the Statement of Purpose file, and the title of the file should still be in English.
2) Refrain from using email addresses associated with Russian or Belarusian educational institutions.
3) While completing the “Required Information” section, ensure you fill in the “Province” field for your address.
4) Provide an address outside Russia or Belarus in both the “Required Information” and “Geographic Location Confirmation” sections of the “Online Course Application”. This ensures we can send your transcript.
5) You must press the “Sign” button twice during the application.
6) If you hold a bachelor’s degree, select “4th+” in the “Academic Year (online)” section.
7) Applicants either unaffiliated or affiliated with educational institutions in Russia and Belarus should list ‘Smolny Beyond Borders’ as their educational institution.
8) In the student ID section, enter ‘SBB’.
9) Consider drafting your motivation letter ahead of time. Save it as a separate file with this format: LastName_FirstName_CourseTitle for a smoother application process.