UCL - In-depth study of a period of German literature

[GERM2712]

[22.5h] 5 credits

This course is taught in the 2d semester.

Teacher(s): Antje Büssgen

Language: D

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

The students should be able to distinguish the different literary periods in 20th century literature and to have extensive knowledge of one of them (e.g. 1920-1950; literature in the two German States 1945-1989; German literature since 1989, etc.). They should be able to assess contemporary literary trends and developments from a critical perspective.

Main themes

The course focuses on the literary development of the considered period, which will be illustrated by the analysis of some representative works.

Content and teaching methods

This course explores the expression and thought of Rilke and in particular of his "objective" poems " Ding-Gedichte " which had considerable impact on the renewal of lyric expression in the beginning of the 20th century. Inspired by works of artists concerned with objects (Rodin, Van Gogh, and Cézanne) he sought to develop a poetic equivalent called "objective speech" "ein sachliches Sagen ".
This inspiration came quite naturally to Rilke as he had worked in Paris as a secretary for Rodin, the great sculptor whom art historians consider as the father of the modern art of sculpting and as he discovered almost simulteneously the paintings of Van Gogh and Cézanne.
We know about his great enthusiasm about these artistic discoveries from a series of letters to his wife living in Worpswede in the northern German countryside, and we will start the course by reading some of these accounts. We will learn about Rilke's view of the role of the poet as a modern art critic, about how his contemplating Van Gogh's and Cézanne's painting as well as observing Rodin's work influenced him in his quest for a modern literary style. From there we will extract from a comparative and theoretical viewpoint the essence of the synergy between two different artistic medias, words and image, speech and vision.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : an introductory knowledge of German literature and a good proficiency in German (advanced level, B2 + in terms of the Common European reference framework).

Evaluation : Written exam on the studied texts. Oral exam, starting from a personal reading. Oral presentation, written reports and participation are taken into account.

Course holder / Course supervision : Preparation of the analysis in small groups with the teacher.