German literature: historiography of german literature (seminar)

Teacher(s)

Roland Hubert;

Language

Deutsch

Prerequisites

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

Main themes

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.)

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	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.

Content

This year's seminar will focus on the so-called 'intercultural literature' (interkulturelle Literatur) of post-migration, which has developed considerably in German-speaking countries since the 1980s, to the point that it now represents an important phenomenon and sub-field of German literature at the beginning of the 21st century.
Initially, this literary production in German language was a marginal phenomenon that used to be circumscribed by the terms Migrantenliteratur or Gastarbeiterliteratur, but today it covers all forms of literature with multiple identities that characterise present-day German society, which has become 'plurinational': German-language literature of Turkish origin, from the Arab or Persian world, but also from Eastern Europe or Black Africa (particularly the countries formerly colonised by Germany). Theoretically, the focus will be on the themes of exile and migration, as well as the relationship with otherness (das Fremde), particularly insofar as the 'other' has also become 'part of ourselves'. 
The work carried out by the students will be promoted in such a way as to fit in with the activities of an interdisciplinary research programme devoted to post-migration literature in Europe (see https://sites.uclouvain.be/narramuse/).

Teaching methods

Preparation of the analysis in small groups with the teacher.

Evaluation methods

Oral exam based on a preliminary written report.

Bibliography

Littérature primaire: Une sélection d'oeuvres à convenir avec les étudiant·es et qui sera annoncée dans le courant du premier quadrimestre: par exemple Shida Bazyar, Nachts ist es leise in Teheran (2016), Sabrina Janesch, Katzenberge (2010); Terézia Mora, Alle Tage (2004); Emine Sevgi Özdamar, Mutterzunge (1990); May Ayim, Grenzenlos und unverschämt (2002), etc.

Littérature secondaire: Chiellino, Carmine (Hrsg.), Interkulturelle Literatur in Deutschland. Ein Handbuch, Weimar, Metzler, 2007; Müller-Funk, Wolfgang, Theorien des Fremden, Tübingen, Francke Verlag, 2016.

Faculty or entity

ELAL