GERM2100 Exploring German Literature
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
1st Term 2012-2013
Course code & title:
GERM2100
Exploring German Literature
Language of instruction:
English
Units: 3
Course description
This course is designed to introduce students to some most representative figures in
German literature. Emphasis is placed on the critical and analytical reading of their major
works in English or Chinese version.
All readings and discussions are in English. No knowledge of German is required.
Course Content
Topic
Contents / fundamental concepts
Periods of German Literature
Overview over the development from the beginnings to
present
“Song of the Nibelungs” (Das Nibelungenlied) - ~1200 loyalty and betrayal as the fundamental concepts in
medieval epics
Lessing (1729-1781), “Nathan the Wise” (Nathan der
Weise) – theater to promote religious tolerance
The young Goethe (1749-1832): “The Sorrows of Young
Werther” (Die Leiden des jungen Werthers) –passionate
individualism
The birth of a national German literature – breaking the
barriers of human existence (Goethe “Faust”) and struggle
against oppression (Schiller “Intrigues and Love” - Kabale
und Liebe).
Kleist (1797-1856): “The Beggar-woman of Locarno” (Das
Bettelweib von Locarno) – Eichendorff (1788-1857): “Moon
Night” (Mondnacht) - the irrational and the mystic
The making of modern social drama: Büchner (1813-1837):
Woyzeck
Kafka (1883-1924), “Metamorphosis” (Die Verwandlung)
Dürrenmatt (1921-1990): “The Visit of the old Lady” (Der
Besuch der alten Dame)
Dealing with the past (fascism and neonazism) – Grass
(1927- ) “Crabwalk” (Im Krebsgang)
Literature and the Holocaust: Paul Celan (1920-1970):
“Death fugue” (Todesfuge)
The beginnings
Literature in the period of
Enlightenment (Aufklärung) Storm and Stress (Sturm und
Drang)
Weimar Classic: Goethe and
Schiller
Romanticism
Young Germany
Expressionism
Swiss-German Literature
Post-unification German Literature
Poetry after 1945
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students demonstrate the ability to
 classify the important periods, writers and works of German literature.
 understand and analyze literary works as reflections of the social and political contexts of
their time.
 distinguish various literary forms, such as drama, novel, poetry and short stories.
GERM2100 Exploring German Literature


discuss and compare the portrayal of basic human issues (love, hate, friendship, loyalty,
betrayal, family, coming of age, struggle for freedom, the supernatural) in important works
of German literature in different periods.
approach literature from a creative perspective through hands-on practice on drama and
poetry.
Learning activities
Lecture
(hr)
in/out class
2
--
Interactive
tutorial
(hr)
Projects
(Presentation)
(hr)
in/out class
1
--
in/out class
--
2
Web-based
teaching
(hr)
Homework / Selfstudy
(hr)
in/out class
in/out class
--
0.5
3
All listed activities are mandatory (M).
Assessment scheme
Task nature
Participation in class
Presentation
Assignments
Test
Description
Weight
active participation in class, including class preparation
and knowledge of assigned texts
introducing a German author and his works (in groups
of 2-3 students)
2 assignments on 2 works discussed in class (each
15%)
quiz and questions
10%
30%
30%
30%
Learning resources for students
Excerpts of the selected works are put online on moodle
Handouts
Recommended reading:
Watanabe-O’Kelly, Helen (ed) (1997) The Cambridge history of German literature. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Kim, Vivian (1992) A concise history of German literature to 1900. Columbia: Camden House.
Stoehr, Ingo Roland (2001) German literature of the twentieth century: from aestheticism to
postmodernism. Rochester, N.Y.: Camden House.
 All books are put on reserve in the University Library.
Feedback for evaluation
Our programme highly values students’ feedback and comments and is happy to use them for
reflection on our teaching and improvement. Students are very welcome to provide comments and
feedback on the course any time to their course teacher or the course level coordinator through
email or in personal conversation. In addition, students’ feedbacks will be collected in the middle of
the term through an open-end questionnaire and the teacher will discuss the feedbacks in class
and make improvements if necessary. The course will also follow the university’s course evaluation
exercise at the end of the term, and students’ feedbacks will be used for future course planning
and teaching.
GERM2100 Exploring German Literature
Course schedule
Remarks
Week 1
Sep 10 - 15
Content
Introduction to the course
Overview of German Literature
The medieval Epic
Week 2
Sep 17 - 22
Enlightenment
Week 3
Sep 24 - 29
Storm and Stress / Weimar Classic
Week 4
Oct 1 - 6
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Oct 8 - 13
Oct 15 - 20
Oct 22 - 27
Week 8
Oct 29 – Nov 3
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Nov 5 - 10
Nov 12 - 17
Nov 19 - 24
Week 12
Nov 26 – Dec 1
Poetry after 1945
Week 13
Dec 3 - 8
Final discussion
Test
No class
Oct 1: Public
holiday
Weimar Classic (continued)
Romanticism
Young Germany
Assignment 1
(due 22 Oct.)
Expressionism
Swiss-German literature
Post-Unification literature
continued
Assignment 2
(due 17 Dec.)
Subject to changes
Class sections and teacher’s contact details:
Time
Mo14:30-16:15
We13:30-14:15
Room
UCA102
UCA111
Teacher
Dr Ulrich
WANNAGAT
E-mail/Tel.:
uwannagat@cuhk.edu.hk
Tel.: 39437699
Office
Leung Kau Kui
Building G/F Rm 23
For further information and inquiries you are welcome to contact the
teacher!
Office hours: Tu10:00-12:00 & Th14:00-15:00 or gladly by appointment
Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and
procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at
h t t p : / / w w w. c u h k . e d u . h k / p o l i c y / a c a d e m i c h o n e s t y / . With each assignment, students will be required to submit
a statement that they are aware of these policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures.