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German 250 - German Literature Before World War II
California State University, Chico
Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures
Spring Semester 1999
MWF
1:00-1:50, BUTE 309
Professor: Christine Manteghi
Office: Trinity 146
E-mail:
cmanteghi@csuchico.edu
Office Tel: (530) 898-5166
Webpage:
http://www.csuchico.edu/~manteghi/
Department Tel: (530) 898-5388
Office Hours:
MW
10:00-11:50,
T
10:00-10:30
COURSE MATERIALS:
Books to be purchased
:
- Hermann Hesse,
Der Steppenwolf
(
German
), Frankfurt a.M: Suhrkamp, latest ed.
- Hermann Hesse,
Steppenwolf
(
English
), introd. and rev. trans. Joseph Milek, New York: Holt, latest ed.
- Franz Kafka,
The Metamorphosis and Other Stories
(
English
), trans. Donna Freed, New York: Barnes & Noble, 1996.
This book is unavailable in the AS Bookstore and must be purchased directly from Barnes & Noble. Request the book under my name. Books will be held until Feb. 4.
)
- Thomas Mann,
Tod in Venedig
(
German
), Frankfurt a.M.: Fischer, latest ed.
- Thomas Mann,
Death in Venice and Seven Other Stories
(
English
), trans. H.T. Lowe-Porter, New York: Vintage, latest ed.
Materials on reserve in Meriam Library
- Franz Kafka,
Erzählungen
(
German
), Frankfurt a.M.: S. Fischer, 1963 (1988 printing). "Die Verwandlung" (i.e. "The Metamorphosis") is on pp. 57-107.
- Georg Kaiser,
The Coral
(
English
), introd. Victor Lange, New York: Ungar, 1963.
- Georg Kaiser,
Gas I
(
English
), introd. Victor Lange, New York: Ungar, 1963.
- Georg Kaiser,
Gas II
(
English
), introd. Victor Lange, New York: Ungar, 1963.
- Georg Kaiser,
Stücke, Erzählungen, Aufsätze, Gedichte
(
German
), Köln/Berlin: Kiepenheuer & Witsch, 1966.
Gas
is on pp. 171-221.
Gas II
is on pp. 223-54.
Other materials will become available on reserve as the semester progresses. Online
links to additonal background materials
may be found at my website.
COURSE CONTENT & OBJECTIVES:
As indicated by its title, this course offers an introduction to German literature of the early twentieth century. However, our reading of literary texts will not be an end in itself, since literature does not exist in a vaccuum. The texts we read are products of the times in which they were created and of the authors who created them. As such, we will carefully examine our texts as historical cultural documents which offer us a key to understanding the society, trends, intellectual traditions, and events of the era in which they were composed. Due to constraints of time, we can by no means exhaustively cover every aspect and nuance of such a richly diverse and dynamic period. Nonetheless, as a result of this course, you will attain a deeper understanding of the complex factors influencing and shaping society and events in German-speaking Europe.
At the same time, the texts are also much more than valuable historical records of a time past. The majority of the works we will read are world-reknowned texts by authors of international acclaim. The texts have earned a place among the classics of world literature. We are thus drawn to examine the works as aesthetic objects. What elements in these texts have made them worthy of being deemed ‘classics’ and what can they offer a general readership beyond the bounds of time and space? What do they offer for us specifically in our transitory position from one millenium to the next? During the course of the semester, you will discover ways in which literature touches upon fundamental questions of human existence.
Finally, through careful and critical reading, participation in class discussions and the online bulletin board, and through the mutual sharing of knowledge and ideas, you will develop your interpretive skills and enhance your ability to think independently.
GRADES:
Course grades will based on the following criteria:
Preparation and participation in class discussions and online bulletin board
2 short (8-10-min.) oral presentations on selected topics
A series of 1- to 2-page writing assignments/position papers
Final Exam
German majors/minors will complete part of their coursework in German.
If you have concerns about your grade, come and speak to me early enough in the semester so that any potential problems can be remedied. Do NOT wait until the end of the semester.
ALLES GUTE ZUM SEMESTERBEGINN!
Questions?
E-mail me
!
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