Topics in German Literature: 251
An introduction to literary interpretation designed to enable students
to engage in effective analysis of a variety of literary genres.
Prerequisite: GERM 212 or equivalent. Given in German. Offered alternate
years. Three hours.
The German Novelle: 315
A brief history of the European Novelle and a close reading of
selected works by 19- and 20-century German writers. A prior familiarity
with other genres in German literature is recommended for more complete
appreciation and understanding of the unique character of the German
Novelle. There will be close textual analysis of the Novellen, which
will be read in German, supplemented by critical writings in both
English and German. By the end of the semester, students will be
expected to have read representative works by the major authors
of German Novellen of this period and to be able to explain their
unique character in proper historical and literary critical perspective.
Ability to read and understand contemporary German is essential.
Offered every third year. Three hours.
German Lyric Poetry: 316
Critical analysis of 18-, 19-, and 20-century German lyric poetry.
By the end of the semester, students will be expected to have gained
a sound knowledge of the tradition, forms, motifs, and historical
context associated with German lyric poetry of the past 200 years.
All works will be read in German, supplemented by critical material
in German and English. Offered every third year. Three hours.
The Age of Goethe: 401
Readings in German with emphasis on close textual analysis, interpretive
problems, and historical perspective, encompassing Sturm und Drang,
Klassik and the Romantic movement. Among the authors read will be
Lessing, Herder, Goethe, Schiller, Tieck, Schlegel, Novalis, Brentano,
Kleist, Hoffmann, Eichendorff. Students will be expected to develop
a conception of the history of ideas from which this literary golden
age sprang, as well as an appreciation of other art forms of this
period, especially the graphic arts and music. There will be extensive
parallel reading in philosophy, world literature, and critical writings.
Offered every third year. Three hours.
German Literature from 1914 to the Present: 423-424
Readings in German by authors such as: Thomas Mann, Kafka, Hesse,
Rilke, Brecht, B�ll, D�rrenmatt, Grass, and Hochhuth. Students will
be expected, through outside reading, to fill in deficiencies in
their knowledge of the intellectual, cultural, and political climate
of opinion from which this literature emerged and to be aware of
current developments in literature in Germany and other social forces
interacting with literature at the present time. Each student will
be expected to keep abreast of the latest literary critical commentary
from, and about, the German-speaking world. The methods of instruction
will be both lecture and seminar. Contemporary forms, motifs, and
trends will be given special consideration, and the students will
be expected to recognize them in German writers and to develop their
own. Three hours each semester.
Survey of German Literature: 425-426
The history of German literature from its beginning to the present
time is reviewed. Required of all majors. The central goal of the
course is to summarize and tie together in the students� minds the
fabric of language and literary movements, and genres from which
German thought of the last two centuries has emerged. The final
segment of the second semester seeks to ensure that students have
a clear conception of the chronological and philosophical relationship
between the various periods and movements after 1750, as well as
their relationship with the earlier material. Three hours. Offered
even years.