- Docente: Guglielmo Gabbiadini
- Credits: 9
- SSD: L-LIN/13
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
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Corso:
First cycle degree programme (L) in
Foreign Languages and Literature (cod. 0979)
Also valid for First cycle degree programme (L) in Foreign Languages and Literature (cod. 0979)
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from Feb 10, 2026 to May 15, 2026
Learning outcomes
Upon the successful completion of the course, students will have acquired a satisfactory knowledge of general issues and individual aspects concerning literary history. They will be able to understand and translate texts from the original. They will also have acquired the basic theoretical knowledge necessary for their critical interpretation, being able to comment on texts and apply specific methodologies for the analysis of literary texts.
Course contents
‘Writers of reality.’ On Realism in German-Language Literature in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
This course sets out to discuss the concept of Literary Realism as a distinctive feature of a literary era which, in the words of a contemporary, was able to «conjure up scenes of such intensity that life itself can rarely offer». At the same time and more generally, we will explore literary realism as a particular way of looking at things: an inclusive and meticulous gaze, capable of creating surfaces that often conceal unfathomable depths. We will thus attempt to read texts from seemingly remote times, rich in revolutionary developments and innovations, such as the Biedermeier and the Vormärz, as well as to study resurfacing instances of literary realism in the twentieth century which were influenced by the avant-garde movements.
Readings/Bibliography
Literary Sources
Please see below ('Assessment methods')
- Heinrich Heine, Die Harzreise / Il viaggio nello Harz, a cura di Maria Carolina Foi, Prefazione di Claudio Magris, con tedesco a fronte, Venezia, Marsilio, 1994 (or later editions)
- Georg Büchner, Lenz, a cura di Giorgio Dolfini, con testo a fronte, Milano, Adelphi, 1989 (or later editions)
- Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, Die Judenbuche / Il faggio degli ebrei, a cura di Uta Treder, con testo a fronte, Venezia, Marsilio, 1998 (or later editions)
- Franz Grillparzer, Der arme Spielmann / Il povero suonatore, a cura di Rita Svandrlik, con testo a fronte, Venezia, Marsilio, 1993 (or later editions)
- Adalbert Stifter, Brigitta, a cura di Matteo Galli, con testo a fronte, Venezia, Marsilio, 1991 (or later editions)
- Anna Seghers, Der Ausflug der toten Mädchen / La gita delle ragazze morte, a cura di Rita Calabrese, con testo a fronte, Venezia, Marsilio, 2010 (or later editions)
- Heinrich Böll, «Wanderer, kommst du nach Spa…», in Id., Wanderer, kommst du nach Spa… Erzählungen, München, dtv, 1967 (o successive), p. 45–56; trad. it. di Italo Alighiero Chiusano, «Viandante, se giungi a Spa…», in H. Böll, Racconti, a cura di Anna Ruchat, Milano, Mondadori, 2022, p. 195-203
Regarding literary history and method:
- Elena Agazzi, «Biedermeier, Vormärz e Junges Deutschland e gli sviluppi letterari del Realismo ottocentesco», in Storia della letteratura tedesca. Dal Tardo Illuminismo all’età delle Avanguardie, Torino, Einaudi, 2024, p. 237-323
- Alessandro Fambrini, L’età del realismo. La letteratura tedesca dell’Ottocento, seconda edizione, Roma, Carocci, 2014 (le parti verranno indicate all'inizio del corso)
- Renata Gambino, «Antropologia letteraria», in Michele Cometa, Dizionario degli studi culturali, a cura di Roberta Coglitore e Federica Mazzara, Roma, Meltemi, 2004, p. 72-78
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures and seminars. Students are encouraged to participate actively in the discussions.
Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is suggested that they get in touch with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.
Course contents and exam mode of completion are the same for students who do not follow lessons, are on Erasmus exchange etc. For mentoring service please contact the teacher (guglielmo.gabbiadini@unibo.it)
Assessment methods
Oral exam – questions aimed at assessing:
- the acquisition of the contents presented in class;
- the knowledge of at least two of the primary sources that each student is expected to read in full length in German (see above). The exam will begin with these as free subject of discussion (‘Einsprechthema’)
- the development of critical thinking skills.
Final grading on a 30-point scale (0-17=fail).
Teaching tools
Multimedia
Office hours
See the website of Guglielmo Gabbiadini
SDGs

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.