A Guided Reading of the Brothers Karamazov: Dostoevsky at his Best with Dr. Jeffrey Brooks, PhD

Course Title: A Guided Reading of the Brothers Karamazov: Dostoevsky at his Best

Instructor: Dr. Jeffrey Brooks

Brought to you by Odyssey  

August 26, 2025 - September 30, 2025 (6 Sessions) 

Tuesday,  6:00PM ET - 7:30PM ET 

Virtual via Zoom

Course Description: The Brothers Karamazov is Dostoevsky’s supreme achievement. Students will consider Dostoevsky’s invention of the psychological novel and his unique ideas of freedom, suffering, and Love. Characters include papa Karamazov, the debauched patriarch; Ivan, the self-destructive atheist, Dmitry, the prisoner of passion, and Alyosha, the saintly family fool, as well Grushenka, the most famous and seductive of Dostoevsky’s women. Students will also read Dostoevsky’s Notes from the Underground. In conjunction with reading the novel, students will watch the 8 episodes of Vladimir Khotinenko’s much praised film Dostoevsky (2011, Russian Channel one) with English subtitles.  The assigned text is Michael Katz’s much praised new translation. The online sessions will clarify any confusion about the characters, fill in the context, and share views about the material.  

Materials:

The Brothers Karamazov: trans. Pevear and Volkonsky, translators. Use only this translation.

Vladimir Khotinenko’s Russian Channel one Dostoevsky 2011 with English subtitles. Available on Amazon Prime Video

Suggested supplementary material week 6: Dostoevsky’s Notes from the Underground. Vintage. Peaver and Volkhonsky translation

The Brothers Karamazov, the 1958 Hollywood film starring Yul Brynner, directed by Richard 

Brooks. Available for rent on Amazon 1.99.

In conjunction with reading the novel, students will watch the 8 episodes of Vladimir Khotinenko’s much praised film Dostoevsky (2011, Russian Channel one) with English subtitles available on Amazon.

*Top Rated Instructor*

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Johns Hopkins Tuition Remission Policies 

Johns Hopkins alumni, staff, faculty and their spouse or domestic partners are eligible for tuition remission for Odyssey lifelong learning courses. Select the correct ticket pricing during registration. If we cannot confirm your eligibility, you will be requested to pay the full registration price for the course.  Eligibility details can be found here.

Withdrawals & Refunds:

If a course is canceled or closed, the registrant is notified immediately, and a full refund is processed automatically unless another course is requested. Registrants who wish to withdraw from an active course must complete the online Odyssey Refund Request Form. Attach any documentation to support your request (e.g., medical documentation, family crisis documentation, etc.).

• 100% refund: Prior to the start of the course and after the first class.
• No refunds: After the first week of each course unless in exceptional cases.

For single-session courses:
100% refundable within two (2) business days of the event.

Please note, refunds apply only to the tuition portion of an Odyssey participant’s charges and are not applicable to any fees or gifts made to the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association. Registrants will be notified by email if a refund is approved within five (5) business days.