Artist in Power: The King as Narrator

sung-jin-cho-ZqmY5IeEhew-unsplash

Faculty:

Fall 2025: September 3, 2025 – October 3, 2025
Schedule: Wed, Fri 19:30 – 20:50 CET | 13:30 – 14:50 EDT
Subject: 22
Level: 200
Credits: 1 US / 2 ECTS
Max Enrollment: 22
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. 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.

| Resume a previously saved form
Resume Later

In order to be able to resume this form later, please enter your email and choose a password.

Password must contain the following:
  • 12 Characters
  • 1 Uppercase letter
  • 1 Lowercase letter
  • 1 Number
  • 1 Special character
Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative
Introduction and Application Instructions

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.

Refrain from using email addresses in domains ru or by or associated with Russian or Belarusian educational or state institutions.

Consider drafting your motivation letter ahead of time

Пожалуйста, используйте латиницу при заполнении всех полей на портале, включая имя и фамилию.

Даже если язык обучения на курсе - русский, кириллицу можно использовать только в тексте мотивационного письма.

Просим не использовать адреса электронной почты в доменных зонах ru или by, а также адреса, связанные с российскими или белорусскими государственными или образовательными учреждениями.

Рекомендуем заранее подготовить мотивационное письмо.  


Completing the Application

After completing the application you will be asked to sign the Administrative Review Authorization and the Application Certification. After signing each you will receive an email to verify that you signed those documents. Your application is not considered complete until they are signed.

To Save & Retrieve an In-Progress Application: 
  • Check off Save my progress and resume later from either the top or bottom of the page.
  • After entering your email and a password hit Save. 
  • You will receive an email with a link to resume the form. Save the email to return later and complete your application.
Questions? Write to us at [email protected]
Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative




Afghan Female Student Outreach, Al-Quds Bard, Al-Quds University, AltLiberalArts, American University of Afghanistan, American University of Beirut, American University in Bulgaria, American University of Central Asia, Ashesi University, Bard College, Bard College Berlin, BRAC University, Central European University, European Humanities University, Haitian Education and Leadership Program, Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives, Institute for Philosophy, Belgrade, Kyiv School of Economics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Parami University, Rift Valley Institute, Talloires Network of Engaged Universities, Tuskegee University, Universidad de los Andes, University of the West Indies, Wits University




Home Address







Form Variables


Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative


Please write the city and country where you will be located while participating in this virtual course.
This course will have participants from various countries, so knowing the time zones of students will be helpful in creating meeting schedules and group work sessions.






Hold down the Command (⌘) (MAC) or CTRL (PC) key to select more than one option.


We highly value your opinion!
Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative
Select a Course


Hold down the Command (⌘) (MAC) or CTRL (PC) key to select more than one option.

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.
Edit this text
Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative
Privacy Agreement

I hereby grant my voluntary and explicit consent to Bard College to manage my personal data provided in this application form for the purposes related to my current application, including for screening to ensure compliance with U.S. economic sanctions laws, to transfer my personal data to those parties who are directly involved in the selection of applications, and if accepted, to transfer my personal data to those parties who are directly involved in managing the program for which I am currently applying.  I acknowledge and accept that failure to provide the requested personal data may result in my application not being processed by Bard College.

By registering in the Online Course Registration Portal, you are joining the online Bard network community. You may receive via e-mail targeted announcements on opportunities related to your academic or program interests, occasional surveys, and communications from faculty or staff within the network who share your interests.

Bard College is committed to the protection of your personal information. View the Privacy Notice here

Save my progress and resume later | Resume a previously saved form


© 2022 Smolny Beyond Borders, Andrew Gagarin Center