Department of German
UW-Madison
College of Letters & Science

284: Honors Introduction to German Literature, 6 cr.

Gross, MWF 2:25-4:20

Prerequisites: German 204 with an A, or placement at 5th-sem level & consent of instructor. Students may receive degree credit for no more than one of the following courses: German 222 or 274/284. Open to Freshmen.

This course provides an intensive and thorough introduction to the study of literary texts: their analysis, their interpretation, their cultural and historical context. The three major literary genres - prose fiction, poetry, and drama - and important literary periods will be covered as we meet three times a week for 2 hours to read and discuss a variety of texts from 18th to 21st-century German-language literature by such authors as Lessing, Kleist, Rahel Varnhagen, Kafka, Brecht, and Bachmann, as well as the most recent work by exciting young authors (such as Kathrin Passig’s “Sie befinden sich hier”, winner of the prestigious Ingeborg-Bachmann-Preis at the 2006 competition). In addition to famous and classical texts – Goethe’s Faust and other dramas, ballads and other poems –  we will read fairy tales, letters, diary excerpts, a historical Flugblatt, and some 19th-century Bildgeschichten (precursors of today’s comics), and view film versions of selected works, as well as experiment with theatrical presentations of selected scenes. Our work with these texts will include discussing different approaches to and functions of literature.

All readings and classwork are in German. In addition to a written midterm and final exam, students will have the opportunity to work on a variety of short writing assignments – letter to the author, diary, creative variation of a classical text, drama synopsis. The course includes a library introduction and research/information literacy training. There are two papers of 4-5 pages each (with feedback, discussion of writing strategies/style, and an opportunity to rewrite). Oral participation and group projects form an integral part of classwork.

Enrolment and participation at the Honors level is encouraged, but a non-honors enrolment option is available under course number 274.

Required textbooks:

• Course reader
• Gotthold Ephraim Lessing: Minna von Barnhelm. Reclam. 
• Goethe: Faust I (Erster Teil). Reclam.
• Bertolt Brecht: Der kaukasische Kreidekreis. edition suhrkamp 31.