GERMAN LITERATURE

The course "German literature SP" is framed in the European curriculum of the Master's Degree Programme "Italian philology, linguistics and literature".
According to the aims of the Master's Degree and to the areas Literatures and Cultures, the course provides the ability to consolidate advanced critical and methodological instruments and a solid knowledge of German literary texts in Italian translation, and debates in their cultural and historical context.
The course is open for interested students attending other Degree Programmmes.

Aim of this course is to consolidate:

a) the ability to analyse critically some of the most significant literary and theoretical texts of the cultural debates subject of the course;
b) the comprehension of these debates in their cultural and historical context;
c) the ability to consolidate critical and methodological instruments;
d) the ability to comprehend and analyze texts and contexts in a competent and autonomous way;
e) the ability to perfectionate comunication and production by an accurate reading of the texts, the discussion and presentation in class and and a detailed study of scientific writing;
f) the ability to discuss in seminars and workshops about the subjects of the course.

None.
Knowledge of German is not required.

COURSE TITLE: Three German/Austrian novels of the first part of the 20th century: Thomas Mann, Doctor Faustus (1947), Alfred Döblin, Berlin Alexanderplatz (1929), Franz Kafka, Il processo (written in 1914-1915).

A. Literary texts:
- Thomas Mann, Doctor Faustus. La vita del compositore tedesco Adrian Leverkühn narrata da un amico, a cura di Luca Crescenzi, Oscar Moderni, Mondadori, Milano 2017 (e edizioni successive);
- Alfred Döblin, Berlin Alexanderplatz. La storia di Franz Biberkopf, a cura di Giusy Drago, Oscar Moderni Cult, Mondadori, Milano 2025;
- Franz Kafka, Il processo, a cura di Paola Capriolo, SE, Milano 2015.

B. Philosophy and Psychoanalysis:
- Friedrich Nietzsche, Genealogia della morale (1887) (short selected passages, see the course Moodle);
- Sigmund Freud, Introduzione alla psicoanalisi (1917) (short selected passages, see the course Moodle);
- Michel Foucault, Sorvegliare e punire (1975) / La volontà di sapere (1976) (short selected passages, see the course Moodle).

C. Literary and cultural context:
- Ladislao Mittner, Storia della letteratura tedesca, vol. 3. Dal realismo alla sperimentazione, 1820-1970, tomo 2. Dal fine secolo alla sperimentazione, 1890-1970 (short selected passages, see the course Moodle);
- Elena Agazzi / Guglielmo Gabbiadini, Storia della letteratura tedesca. Dall'Illuminismo all'età delle Avanguardie, Einaudi, Torino 2024 (short selected passages, see the course Moodle);

D. Historical context:
- Gustavo Corni, Storia della Germania da Bismarck a Merkel, il Saggiatore, Milano 2017, pp. 15-136.

E. Literary criticism:
- see the course moodle;

F. Film:
- Walter Ruttmann, Berlin - Die Symphonie der Großstadt (1927) (selected scenes);
- Phil Jutzi, Berlin - Alexanderplatz (1931) (selected scenes);
- Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) (selected scenes);
- Wim Wenders, Der Himmel über Berlin (1987) (selected scenes).

Oral exam (about 45 minutes) aiming to verify the abilities acquired by students, to check their knowledge of the whole programme and their ability to reflect critically on its topics.

Assessment outline: see below, box "graduazione dei voti".

oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

Oral exam (about 45 minutes) aiming to verify the abilities acquired by students, to check their knowledge of the whole programme and their ability to reflect critically on its topics.

Assessment outline:
- knowledge of the course topics and of the literary texts (see item A of the bibliography) = 0/30 to 10/30 points (passing score 6/30);
- knowledge of the historical and cultural-literary context (see items B and C of the bibliography) = 0/30 to 10/30 points (passing score 6/30);
- knowledge of literary criticism (see item D of the bibliography) = 0/30 to 10/30 points (passing score 6/30).

Regular class sessions. Front lectures and seminars.
Teaching materials will be provided in pdf format on the course Moodle.

All students will have to check the course moodle for further readings.
All students are kindly requested to check frequently the notices on the lecturer's CF-homepage.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development