Ukrainian Literature Curriculum (Profile Level) - Grades 10-11

This curriculum outlines the Ukrainian Literature course of study for students in grades 10 and 11, focusing on the profile level. It emphasizes textual analysis, speech development, and home reading.

Grade 10

Total Hours: 70 (2 hours per week)

Key Topics:

• Introduction to Realistic Ukrainian Prose: Exploring Ukrainian literature of the second half of the 19th century within its socio-cultural context. This includes the national liberation movement, cultural activities, periodicals, and the development of realism, naturalism, and late romanticism. The curriculum also examines the features of realistic prose, poetry, and drama of the time.
• Ivan Nechuy-Levitsky: Focus on "Kaydasheva Semya" ("The Kaydashev Family"), analyzing its social and domestic narrative, realism, and relevance to the timeless parent-child conflict. Exploration of Ukrainian mentality, humanistic traditions, and the affirmation of national ethics through comedy.
• Panas Mirnyi (P. Rudchenko): Study of "Khiba revut voly yak yasla povni" ("Do Oxen Low when Mangers are Full?"), parts 1 and 4. Analysis of the social aspects of the work, its status as the first Ukrainian socio-psychological novel, and its wide representation of people's lives. Examination of the character development of Nichipor Varenichenko and the assertion of folk views on human values.
• The Theatre of Coryphaei: Development of drama, including social and historical dramas and comedies. The rise of professional "coryphaei theatre" from amateur circles, focusing on the contributions of M. Staritsky, M. Kropivnitsky, Panas Myrny, and the Tobilevich family.
• Ivan Karpenko-Kary (I. Tobilevich): Study of "Martyn Borulya," analyzing its genre, stage history, and exploration of nobility as a myth. Examination of the substitution of personal moral values with class and the psychological portrayal of Martyn Borulya.
• Ivan Franko: Analysis of works including "Hymn," "Sykstynska Madonna," "Oi ty, divchun, z goriha zernya," "Chogo yavliyaeshsia meni...," "Legenda pro vichne zhyttia," "Moisey," and "Soychyne krylo." Exploration of Franko's multifaceted career and its impact on Ukrainian literature and national consciousness. Analysis of his poetry collections "Z vershyn ta nyzyzn" and "Ziv’yale lystia," focusing on themes of beauty, usefulness, human advancement, love, and philosophical reflections.
• Modern Ukrainian Prose: Examination of personal factors influencing worldviews at the turn of the century, including the connection with European culture and national processes. Focus on Ukrainian prose modernism, featuring works by Olha Kobylyanska, Mykhailo Kotsyubinsky, Vasyl Stefanik, and Volodymyr Vynnychenko.
• Mykhailo Kotsyubinsky: Analysis of "Intermezzo" and "Tini zabutykh predkiv," exploring Kotsyubinsky's stylistic innovations, psychological portrayal of characters, symbolic imagery, and the use of impressionism.
• Olha Kobylyanska: Study of "Impromtu phantasie" and "Valse melancolique," focusing on the themes of free spirit, aristocracy of the spirit, and the portrayal of new women intellectuals.
• Vasyl Stefanik: Analysis of "Kaminnyi Khrest," examining the theme of emigration, narrative peculiarities, symbolic images, and the protagonist's connection to his homeland.
• Volodymyr Vynnychenko: Study of "The Moment," exploring the combination of realistic portrayal and philosophical subtext, the fluidity of life, and the concept of a moment as part of eternity.
• Figurative Word of Poetic Modernism: Examination of the almanac "Z nad khmar ta dolyn" and the "Moloda Muza" group, focusing on their connection to foreign literature and "new" drama.
• Lesya Ukrainka (Larysa Kosach): Analysis of works including "Contra spem spero!," "Slovo, chomu ty ne tverdaya krytsua...," "Mriye, ne zrad," "Stoyala ya i sluhala vesnu...," and "Lisova pisnyia." Exploration of Ukrainka's life and career, the influence of family and self-education, and the neo-romantic principles in her works.
• Mykola Voronyi: Study of "Blakytna Panna" and "Infanta," focusing on the modernization of Ukrainian literature, symbolist ideas, and the motif of loneliness.
• Oleksandr Oles (O. Kandyba): Analysis of "Z zhurboyu radist obnyalas...," "Chary nochi," "slovo ridne! Orle skutyi!..," and "Po dorozi v kazku." Exploration of neo-romantic and symbolist tendencies, intimate lyricism, patriotic feelings, and the symbolic journey towards a better life.
• Literature of the Native Land: Exploration of works by local artists.

Grade 11

Total Hours: 70 (2 hours per week)

Key Topics:

• Introduction to Executed Renaissance: Ukrainian literature of the 20th century, including social and historical context, stylistic trends (modernism, social realism, postmodernism), the relationship between artists and authorities, and the concept of "Executed Renaissance."
• Literary Avant-Garde: Overview of avant-garde tendencies in the 1920s, focusing on the futurist poet Mykola Semenko and his urban-themed lyrics.
• Poetic Expression: The dominant role of poetry in the 1920s, exploring the emotional experience of the post-revolutionary era.
• Pavlo Tychyna: Analysis of "Arphamy, arphamy...," "O, panno, Inno," "Vy znayete, yak lypa shelestyt," "Odchyniayte dveri," and "Pamyati trydtsyaty." Exploration of Tychyna's modernist style, the concept of "clarinetism," and the artistic reproduction of national liberation.
• Eugen Pluzhnik: Study of "Vchys u pryrody tvorchogo spokoyu" and "Nich...a choven - yak sribnyi ptakh," focusing on confessional, lyrical, and philosophical themes.
• "Kiev's Neoclassics": The creative credo and classic verse form of the "Kiev neoclassics" group.
• Maxim Rylsky: Analysis of "Solodkyi svit!" and "U tepli dni zbyrannia vynogradu," exploring themes of spiritual balance, beauty, and the use of antique imagery.
• Prose Diversity: Genre and style diversity in prose, including new themes, ideological bias, modernist research, and links with poetry.
• Mykola Khvylyovy (M. Fitilev): Study of "Ya Romantyka," exploring the themes of good and evil, inner conflict, and the role of the mother.
• Yuri Yanovsky: Analysis of "Maister korablia," focusing on its innovative art form, exploration of Ukrainian culture and identity, and neo-romantic heroes.
• Valerian Pidmohylny: Study of "Misto," examining the theme of man's conquest of the city and self-assertion, moral and ethical conflicts, and female images.
• Ostap Vyshnya (Pavlo Gubenko): Analysis of "Moya avtobigraphia," "Pysmennyky," and "Som," focusing on the writer's humor, reflection of society, and use of folklore elements.
• Modern Drama: Development of national theatre and drama in the 1920s-1930s.
• Mykola Kulysh: Study of "Myna Mazaylo," analyzing its satirical portrayal of Ukrainian society and the problem of national identity.
• Pearls of Western Ukrainian Literature: Autonomy and openness to foreign traditions in Western Ukrainian literature before 1939.
• Bohdan-Ihor Antonych: Analysis of "The Green Gospel," "Christmas," and "Koliada," focusing on life-affirming themes, the exoticism of the Lemkovo region, and the combination of pagan and Christian motifs.
• Osip Turyanski: Study of "Poza mezhamy bolyu," exploring the historical material of World War I, humanistic values, and the triumph of spirit over matter.
• "Under a Foreign Sky": Literature of emigrant writers and the "Prague School" of Ukrainian poetry.
• Eugene Malanyuk: Analysis of "Uryvok z poemy" and "Napys na knyzi virshiv," focusing on the heroic and tragic history of Ukraine and the purpose of poetry.
• Ivan Bagryany (I. Lozovyagin): Study of "Tygrolovy," exploring the themes of freedom, struggle for liberation, and the victory of good over evil.
• The War Years: Ukrainian writers' participation in World War II and the dominance of socialist realism.
• Olexander Dovzhenko: Analysis of "Schodennyk" and "Zacharovana Desna," exploring Dovzhenko's cinematic style, romantic worldview, and portrayal of Ukrainian people and history.
• Oles Gonchar: Study of "Modry Kamen," focusing on the neo-romanticism of early short stories and the theme of love conquering death.
• Sixtiers: The revival of Ukrainian literature in the early 1960s and the cultural and social phenomenon of the "sixtiers."
• Vasily Simonenko: Analysis of "Zadyvlius u tvoi zinytsi" and "I...," exploring themes of Ukrainian identity, self-assertion, and intimate lyrics.
• Dmytro Pavlychko: Study of "Dva koliory" and "Ya stuzhyvsia, myla za toboyu," focusing on national coloring, the use of antithesis, and folklore elements.
• Ivan Drach: Analysis of "Balada pro sonyashnyk," exploring the essence of art and the creative process.
• Mykola Vingranovsky: Study of "U syniomu nebi ya vysiyav lis," focusing on universal and national motives, intimate self-concentration, and symbolic colors.
• Grigor Tyutyunnik: Analysis of "Try zzozuli z poklonom," exploring the theme of the "love triangle" and the elevation of love as a Christian value.
• Lina Kostenko: Analysis of "Strashni slova, koly, vony movchat," "Khai bude legko dotykom pera," "Nedumano, negadano," "Po syden Poseydon posidaye sviy tron," and "Marusya Churai." Exploration of Kostenko's individual style, philosophical reflections, and historical and folklore basis.
• Vasyl Stus: Study of "Kriz sotni sumniviv ya idu do tebe" and "Hospody, gnivu prechystogo," focusing on the poet's indestructible spirit, preservation of human dignity, and exploration of existential themes.
• Contemporary Ukrainian Literature (Optional): Overview of the historical and cultural situation at the turn of the 21st century, the emergence of a new literary generation, and the characteristics of postmodernism. Includes works by various contemporary authors.
• Literature of the Native Land: Introduction to the life and work of local writers.