B2604 - Literature of German-Speaking Countries (Second Language) I

Learning outcomes

The student is familiar with the basic notions of German Literature and is able to identify them in specific literary texts. This enables him/her to deepen his/her knowledge and to develop new methodologies related to the interpretation of literary texts.

Course contents

The German-language narrative from Romanticism to the present day

Readings/Bibliography

Primary texts


Texts by the following authors will be read and interpreted: E.T.A. Hoffmann, Eduard Mörike, Oskar Panizza, Thomas Mann, Arthur Schnitzler, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Franz Kafka, Alfred Döblin, Anna Seghers, Jakob Arjouni, Bernhard Schlink u.a.


Critical texts

Marcel Reich-Ranicki (Hrsg.): Die besten deutschen Erzählungen, Frankfurt a. M. (insel taschenbuch) 2010

Teaching methods

At the beginning lessons will be teacher-centered and entail lecture sessions and one-way presentations. In a second moment participating students give talks about topics suggested by the teacher or about relevant topics chosen by the students themselves according to their special interest.

Maximum participation of students is stimulated by invitations to debate and opportunities for discussion.

70% of class attendance is required

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend the online Modules 1, 2 on Health and Safety [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas].

Assessment methods

The evaluation purpose is to assess the acquisition of the knowledge and skills described above by the student. An oral exam will evaluate the summarizing ability, and the acquisition of the contents of the readings and themes treated during the course. A first part (on the monographs published by Vita & Pensiero 2015 and 2017) is to be given in Italian. The second part on the interpretation of the several texts will be given in German.

Teaching tools

In lessons are used not only several types of texts (press releases, newspaper articles, essays) collected and prepared by the teacher but will also be supported by the use of new media technologies (for example audio and/or video podcasts) and powerpoint presentations. All didactic material used during the lessons will be uploaded and made available online on the IOL-platform as pdf- or Mp3-files.

Office hours

See the website of Sandro Moraldo