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

Novel and theory of the novel since the Middle Ages

The course will deal with the most important examples of German-speaking Romandichtung since the Middle Ages and analyze their narrative structures. Particular attention is paid to narrator speeches, which reflect as part of the novel on its form and structure and “narratability”

1. Wolfram von Eschenbach: Parzival
2. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Wilhelm Meister
3. Theodor Fontane: Effie Briest
4. Heinrich Mann: Der Untertan
5. Thomas Mann: Der Zauberberg
6. Alfred Döblin: Berlin Alexanderplatz
7. Irmgard Keun: Gilgi eine von uns
8. Robert Musil: Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften
9. Heinrich Böll: Billard um halbzehn
10. Uwe Johnson: Mutmassungen über Jakob; Jahrestage
11. Jurek Becker: Jakob der Lügner

The course will be held in Italian. 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.

Readings/Bibliography

In addition to the oral examination, students are expected to write a term paper.

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

György Lukács: Die Theorie des Romans. Ein geschichtsphilosophischer Versuch über die Formen der großen Epik/ Teoria del romanzo. Saggio storico-filosofico sulle forme della grande epica, Milano 1962 (o la traduzione di 1981)

Alfred Döblin: An Romanautoren und ihre Kritiker. Berliner Programm 1913 (in italian language)

Letture:

1. Wolfram von Eschenbach: Parzival
2. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Wilhelm Meister
3. Theodor Fontane: Effie Briest
4. Heinrich Mann: Der Untertan
5. Thomas Mann: Der Zauberberg
6. Alfred Döblin: Berlin Alexanderplatz
7. Irmgard Keun: Gilgi eine von uns
8. Robert Musil: Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften
9. Heinrich Böll: Billard um halbzehn
10. Uwe Johnson: Mutmassungen über Jakob; Jahrestage
11. Jurek Becker: Jakob der Lügner

(in german or in italian translation)

two novels must be prepared for the exam. 

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