This course is a comprehensive critical introduction to Anton Chekhov (1860-1904). We begin with Chekhov’s short comic sketches and youthful freelance journalism, moving on to his profound and more mature studies of human nature, its situations, conflicts, and conditions. This stage in the course will involve the reading of Chekhov’s short stories, novellas, and short novels organized across major themes and based on recurring writing techniques. The study of Chekhov’s drama and his contributions to modern theatre is the next sequence. Chekhov’s mature journalism, including an investigative report on the condition of imprisoned inmates resulting from his trip to Sakhalin, his criticism, accounts of his literary and artistic friendships, and acquaintance with his personal genres will define the concluding stage of work in the final weeks. This course satisfies either drama or single author/text requirement, but not both requirements at once.