This course follows the lessons of resistance to totalitarianism through learning found in life-changing literary and artistic narratives of Central and Eastern Europe, Germany, and Russia, the countries rife with the history of transformative plans and idealistic dreams for liberation through enlightenment that suffered painful historic setbacks and debacles and were overrun by totalitarian rule. Our readings will include novels and short fiction, plays, poetry, film and theatre that showcase models of resistance in classic nineteenth and twentieth century authors and works, ending in primary examples of dissidence and survival in our time.