30652 - German Literature 2 (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students should know the exile-poems of the 20^th century. Morevoer, they should be able to understand and contextualize a text in German language.

Course contents

The course explores German-language literature of the past three decades through the close reading and discussion of selected works by authors who have shaped the contemporary literary landscape. The syllabus includes W. G. Sebald (1944–2001), widely regarded as one of the most important German-language prose writers of the late twentieth century; Nobel Prize laureates Peter Handke (1942), Elfriede Jelinek (1946), and Herta Müller (1953); and Emine Sevgi Özdamar (1946), recipient of the 2022 Georg Büchner Prize. The course focuses on the aesthetic and formal qualities of works representing a range of genres and literary forms, from the novel and short prose to drama and literary collage, while also examining their theoretical implications. Beyond introducing students to these authors and their works, the course uses literary texts as a lens through which to explore key cultural debates that have shaped German-speaking societies in recent decades. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which literature engages with major historical, political, and social transformations.

Readings/Bibliography

For historical and literary context (only the sections indicated during the course):

• Leonhard Herrmann, Silke Horstkotte (Hg.), Gegenwartsliteratur. Eine Einführung, Stuttgart, Metzler, 2016.

Primary texts:

• W. G. Sebald, Austerlitz, München, Hanser, 2001.
• P. Handke, Immer noch Sturm, Berlin, Suhrkamp, 2010.
• E. Jelinek, Schatten (Eurydike sagt), 2015; Die Schutzbefohlenen, 2013 (both available online on the author's website: https://original.elfriedejelinek.com/index.html ).
• H. Müller, Der Beamte sagte. Erzählung, München, Hanser, 2021.
• E. S. Özdamar, Perikizi. Ein Traumspiel, in Theater Theater. Aktuelle Stücke 20/10 Odyssee Europa, Frankfurt a. M., Fischer, 2010, pp. 271–333 (alternatively: Perikizi. Ein Traumspiel / Perikizi. Un Sogno, bilingual edition with introduction, translation and commentary by Silvia Palermo, Napoli, Liguori, 2016).

Additional optional readings for further study (in progress):

• W. G. Sebald (interview by Martin Doerry and Volker Hage), “Ich fürchte das Melodramatische”, Der Spiegel 11/2001 (available online).
• P. Handke, Griffen, Kärnten, in Anna Jung, Jochen Jung (Hg.), Österreich-Atlas. Literarisch-fotografische Erkundungen aus der Mitte Europas, Salzburg, Jung und Jung, 2014, p. 56 (will be made available on Virtuale).
• P. Handke, Kärnten Blues, in Lojze Wieser (Hg.), „... und darin fliegt eine Schwalbe“. Meine Lieblingsgedichte, Klagenfurt/Celovec, Wieser Verlag, 2014, p. 124 (will be made available on Virtuale).
• E. Jelinek, selected short texts on theatre, prose, art, current affairs, and related topics, to which reference will be made during the course (all texts are available on the author's website: https://original.elfriedejelinek.com/index.html ).
• H. Müller, Der König verneigt sich und tötet, Frankfurt a. M., Fischer, 2008 (the relevant excerpts will be made available on Virtuale).
• E. S. Özdamar, the short stories Mutterzunge, Großvaterzunge, Karagöz in Alamania, and Karriere einer Putzfrau, in Mutterzunge, Berlin, Suhrkamp, 2022.
• E. S. Özdamar, Dankesrede anlässlich der Verleihung des Georg-Büchner-Preises, 2022 (available online: https://www.deutscheakademie.de/de/auszeichnungen/georg-buechner-preis/emine-sevgi-oezdamar/dankrede ).

Secondary literature:

On the authors (only the sections indicated during the course):

• Claudia Öhlschläger, Michael Niehaus (Hg.), W.G. Sebald-Handbuch. Leben – Werk – Wirkung, Stuttgart, Metzler, 2017.
• Rolf G. Renner, Peter Handke. Erzählwelten – Bilderordnungen, Stuttgart, Metzler, 2020.
• Pia Janke (Hg.), Jelinek-Handbuch, 2. Aufl., Stuttgart, Metzler, 2024.
• Heinz Ludwig Arnold (Hg.), Herta Müller, München, edition text + kritik, 2002.
• Yasemin Dayıoğlu-Yücel, Ortrud Gutjahr (Hg.), Emine Sevgi Özdamar, München, edition text + kritik, 2016.

For historical and literary context (only the sections indicated during the course):

• Leonhard Herrmann, Silke Horstkotte (Hg.), Gegenwartsliteratur. Eine Einführung, Stuttgart, Metzler, 2016.

Teaching methods

The course, taught in German, consists of 45 hours of teaching. Classes combine lectures with seminar-style sessions, encouraging active participation through discussion, textual analysis, and critical reflection.

Each student is expected to give a short presentation on an additional text beyond those discussed in class (see the list of Optional readings for further study). Presentations may take place during the semester or as part of the final examination.

The syllabus and assessment are the same for attending, partially attending, and non-attending students. Erasmus students, as well as partially attending and non-attending students and anyone with specific needs, are encouraged to contact the course lecturer, preferably by arranging an appointment, for advice on preparing for the examination.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of an oral examination conducted in German. Questions are aimed at assessing:

• the knowledge and understanding of the contents presented in the classes;
• the ability to develop and articulate critical thinking;
• the ability to interpret and discuss literary texts in relation to their historical context and the cultural issues they address.

Final grading on a 30-point scale (0-17=fail).

Teaching tools

Teaching is supported by PowerPoint presentations, audio and video materials, and guest lectures and seminars delivered either in person or online by specialists in the authors and topics covered by the course.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: we suggest that you contact the relevant university office ( https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and your teacher immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.
Any requests for exam accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the teacher and copying (Cc) the email address disabilita@unibo.it (in case of disability) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Conterno