29077 - German Literature (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired in-depth knowledge about various aspects and problems regarding literary history. The student will have a sound knowledge of the individual authors and works, and will be able to evaluate the literary quality of the works that have been studied, analyzing the texts according to specific critical methodologies.

Course contents

Faustian Theme and Deutschwesen

 

The main focus will lie on the two most important adaptations of the Faustian theme in German Language, Goethe’s Faust. Eine Tragödie (1808, alongside Urfaust and Fragment) and Thomas Mann’s Doktor Faustus (1947). Although they could hardly differ more to one another, Goethe’s Faust and Mann’s Doktor Faustus respectively mark the beginning and the provisory end of a clear development in the history of thought: the progressive ideologisation of culture, literature, and finally of all art. Goethe and Thomas Mann will therefore represent both the starting points and the main focus of the course. We will then concentrate on the beginning of the Faustian theme in the so-called Volksbuch, on the early affinity between Faust and Luther’s Reformation, on the pre-Goethean documents and their potential ideological entanglements.

The course will be held in Italian. For further information see course number 30652. It is compulsory to read Goethe’s works and Thomas Mann’s work – at least in Italian translation. Secondary literature in Italian and/or in English will be provided at the beginning of the course. In addition to the oral examination, students are expected to write a term paper.

The course will be held in Italian. Each participant must eitherwrite a home assignment or present a seminar paper.

Readings/Bibliography

Secondary literature in Italian and/or in English will be provided at the beginning of the course.

 

Letture:

1. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Faust. Ein Fragment
2. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Faust. Der Tragödie erster Teil
3. Thomas Mann: Doktor Faustus

(in german or in italian translation)

works to be discussed:

1. Historia von D. Johann Fausten
2. Puppenspiele vom Doktor Faustus
3. Lessing: Faust-Projekt
4. Friedrich Maximilian Klinger: Fausts Leben, Taten und Höllenfahrt
5. Nikolaus Lenau und Heinrich Heine
6. Frank Wedekind: Franziska
7. Klaus Mann: Mephisto
8. Else Lasker-Schüler: IchundIch
9. Hanns Eisler: Johann Faustus
10. Faust-Bearbeitungen bei Brecht und Dürrenmatt; Volker Braun
11. Elfriede Jelinek: FaustIn and out
12. Thea Dorn: Die Unglückseligen

Teaching methods

Seminar lessons

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral interview. During the interview the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student will be evaluated . The student will be invited to discuss the texts covered during the course and to move within the sources and bibliographical material in order to be able to identify in them the useful information that will enable to illustrate the similarities and cultural areas of the discipline. The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed during the classes and their critical use, which demonstrate ownership of a mastery of expression and specific language, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of matter, synthesis and analysis of non-articulating and / or correct language but not always appropriate will lead to discrete assessments; training gaps and / or inappropriate language - although in a context of minimal knowledge of the material - will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of guidance within the reference materials offered during the course will lead to failed assessments.

Office hours

See the website of Michael Gottlieb Dallapiazza