Department of German
UW-Madison
College of Letters & Science

German 221:  Introduction to German Literature and Culture I, 3 cr.

Prerequisites:  German 204 or 225, or placement at 5th-semester level and consent of instructor.

Calomino, Lec 1, MWF, 9:55          

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the study and interpretation of German literature and cultural topics.  Readings will include representative works of twentieth-century prose, lyric poetry, and drama by Mann, Kafka, Brecht, Böll, Rilke, Frisch, Wolf, Celan, and Braun.  Also to be included for discussion are essays on cultural topics (arts and politics) as well as letters and selections from historical and autobiographical writings. Regular attendance and participation are expected.  Class discussion will be conducted in German.  In addition to mid-semester and final examinations, a short interpretive paper and oral presentation are required.

Required texts:

• Karka, Brecht, Böll: Erzählungen.
• Thomas Mann, Tonio Kröger / Mario und der Zauberer (Fischer)
• Franz Kafka, Das Urteil (Fischer)
• Bertolt Brecht, Mutter Courage (Suhrkamp)
• Max Frisch, Andorra (Suhrkamp)
• Andreas Lixl-Purcell, Stimmen eines Jahrhunderts, 1888-1990 (Holt, Rinehart)
• Volker Braun, Unvollendete Geschichte (Suhrkamp)

Recommended:

• 1. H. Kinder/W. Hilgemann, ed. dtv-Atlas zur Weltgeschichte, Band 2.  (DTV)