GERM 260 - Developments in German Literature

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

Topic for 2024/2025b: The Novella. From an inexplicable pregnancy to serial murders, from madness to amusing obsessions, the German novella covers various facets of human life condensed into “a strange, shocking incident,” as Goethe puts it. This course deals with some of Germany’s most famous authors and their terse and dynamic narratives, often culminating in a surprising finale. The taut and compact form of the novella has generated some of the finest examples of German writing and enjoys popularity to this day. Students refine their ability to read challenging texts and practice oral and writing skills by discussing and analyzing selected masterpieces of the genre. This course also involves a creative writing component. Authors include Kleist, E.T.A. Hoffmann, Droste-Hülshoff, Schnitzler, Mann, Kafka. Lioba Gerhardi.

Prerequisite(s): GERM 230, GERM 240, or permission of the instructor.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS