GERM 235 - Introduction to German Cultural Studies

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

(Same as GNCS 235) Topic for 2025/26a: Enduring Enchantments: Grimms’ Tales and Their Adaptations. The Grimms’ fairy tales have inspired countless adaptations by writers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers around the world. Even in their own lifetimes, their tales underwent significant transformations over the course of various editions. We engage closely both their iconic and their lesser-known fairy tales, using a variety of critical approaches to examine the Grimms’ original aims and how these aims changed over time. In addition, we discuss a range of twentieth- and twenty-first-century translations and adaptations by authors, illustrators, and filmmakers such as Angela Carter, Philipp Pullman, Maurice Sendak, Lotte Reiniger, and Walt Disney. We also collaborate with the Special Collections department of the Vassar Library to mount an exhibit of illustrated editions of Grimms’ collection, beginning with a rare, recently acquired copy of the second edition from 1819 that once belonged to Sendak. All readings, discussions, and assignments are in English.

This course is not open to students who have taken GERM 180 /GNCS 180 Enduring Enchantments: Grimms’ Tales and Their Adaptations . Elliott Schreiber.

Open to all classes.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS