Students in this course read controversial Russian literary texts, written from the late 18th century through the beginning of the 21st century, which brought upon their authors political or social censure from the Russian or Soviet state. As we read and discuss these texts in their cultural and historical contexts, we consider the stylistic, narrative and other features of each text that may have attracted such unfavorable attention. The course concludes with a comparative discussion of the place of the writer in society. Note: The course includes readings both of poetry and prose fiction; the word poet in the course title is designed to evoke the broader image of the writer in Russian society.