GERMAN LITERATURE 1

Aims of this course are 1) a solid knowledge of some of the most significant works of German Literature in the Weimar Republic and in the First Austrian Republic; 2) the ability to comprehend the specific historical and cultural context of Germany and Austria which the analysed works refer to; 3) the ability to learn and use the right critical instruments to analyse a literary text from a thematic and stylistic point of view; 4) the ability to develop in the individual work the critical instruments learnt in class with literary texts belonging tho the first half of the 20th century in German-speaking countries; 5) the ability to read and translate a brief text in German.

None

Literature in German-speaking countries from the First World War to the rise of Nationalsocialism

In German speaking countries the period from 1918 until Hitler's rise to power in 1933 is characterized by serious economic and political crises but also a very fertile time for arts, literature and culture (it's enough to think about new, experimental forms and genres like Bertolt Brecht's epic theatre, Fritz Lang's expressionist cinema, the architecture of the Bauhaus, Arnold Schönberg's dodecaphonic music or Alfred Döblin's metropolitan novel). The seminar aims to offer an introduction to this period through the analysis of very significant literary works written in the final years of the Weimar Republic: Die Dreigroschenoper by Bertolt Brecht, Im Westen nichts Neues by Erich Maria Remarque and Berlin Alexanderplatz by Alfred Döblin. In order to focus on other German-speaking countries the seminar will also concentrate on two important Austrian writers: Joseph Roth (Radetzymarsch) and Arthur Schnitzler (Traumnovelle). The course will illustrate how brilliantly these works reflect on some of the most crucial events of German History in the early 20th century. Videos, music and graphic material will also be used to support the didactic activities.

A.
Bertolt Brecht: Die Dreigroschenoper;
Alfred Döblin: Berlin Alexanderplatz;
Erich Maria Remarque: Im Westen nichts Neues;
Joseph Roth: Radetzkymarsch.
Arthur Schnitzler, Traumnovelle.
All editions are fine.

B.
Robert Walser: "Fritz Kochers Aufsätze", Suhrkamp, Frankfurt am Main 1986, pp. 7-65.

C.
- Gustavo Corni, Storia della Germania. Da Bismarck a Merkel, Il Saggiatore, Milano 2017 (or previous editions; chapters IV and V, pp. 113-193).

- Anton Reininger, La letteratura tedesca dal Settecento ai nostri giorni, 3. edizione, Rosenberg & Sellier, Torino 2005, cap. VII, pp. 439-534.

oral

During the oral exam students have to to answer to specific questions and to demonstrate to 1) have a solid knowledge of some of the most significant works of German Literature in the Weimar Republic and in the First Austrian Republic; 2) be able to discuss starting from the specific historical and cultural context of Germany and Austria which the analysed works refer to; 3) be able to use the right critical instruments to analyse in a competent way a literary text from a thematic and stylistic point of view; 4) to be able to use in the individual work the critical instruments learnt with literary texts belonging tho the first half of the 20th century in German-speaking countries; 5) be able to read and translate a brief text in German. Students have also to present a subject of their choice in German.

Frontal lectures with discussion.
The lecturer will explain how to study the parts in German. There will also be specific lessons of support held by a tutor.

Italian

1. The course German Literature 1 is divided into two classes (class 1: prof. Sbarra; class 2: Prof. Fossaluzza). Students can subscribe to one of the two classes by sending a mail to the lecturers. To subscribe to this class please write a message to: cristina.fossaluzza@unive.it
Please use your institutional address (@stud.unive.it) and specify in the subject: ISCRIZIONE A LETTERATURA TEDESCA CLASSE 2.
2. Students who cannot attend the lessons are kindly asked to conctact the lecturer.

• Course with sustainable contents
• University credits of sustainability: 6
• Lecture notes, material for reference or for self-assessment available online or as e-book
• E-learning, moodle platforms
• Use of open-source software