German literature: historiography of german literature [ LGERM2714 ]

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

In-depth analysis of German-speaking literary works and themes from the 20th and 21st centuries, particularly as far as the historical and the socio-cultural contexts are concerned. The themes regularly vary according to the literary and scientific news, as well as according to the centers of interest of the teacher; (for instance current forms of "Realism" in German literature, contemporary novels written by women, etc.)

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

- analyse German-speaking literary works in their historical and/or socio-cultural contexts, also taking aesthetic processes, which constitute the specificity of literary texts, into consideration;
- integrate such processes into the framework of the mechanisms of the historiography of literature, also establishing connections between a diachronic approach and contemporary texts;
- deepen their literary culture on the basis of German-speaking texts and show their ability to interpret those critically in their historical and civilisational contexts;
- read and produce scientific texts in this field of study and in the target-language, on the basis of the method of literary studies; in this respect, this approach is a continuation of the courses on history of literature and civilisation of the bachelor programme, and makes use of previously acquired insights into literary theory. It aims to increase the students' literary knowledge and to develop a critical attitude towards the interpretation of literary texts in their adequate context. This approach also aims to teach the students how to write a critical essay in the studied field.

Preparation of the analysis in small groups with the teacher.

Active participation during the whole course or seminar (oral presentation, discussions, intermediary Thesenpapiere) is taken into account.

Final evaluation based on a written exam (or possibly a personal essay) and oral exam, starting from a personal reading of the texts.

Preparation of the analysis in small groups with the teacher.

The course will concentrate on the thematic and literary analysis of a representative corpus of contemporary novels (end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century) written by German-speaking women.

After sketching the long underestimated, neglected position of women-writers and novelists within the framework of German literary historiography, we shall question their progressively more important presence in German literature since the end of the 1940ies and the creation of two German states at the time of the Cold War.

But our main purpose will be the (possibly) specific view of women writers belonging to different generations on society items in the so-called 'Berlin Republic'. We will tackle in this way the process of globalisation, the intensification of communication, intercultural questions, etc.

A reading list will be communicated before the beginning of the course. A selection of works by Doris Dörrie, Renan Demirkan, Julia Franck, Judith Hermann, Herta Müller, Emine Sevi Özdamar, Christa Wolf ou Juli Zeh will be established.

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