Introduction to German Literature in Cultural Context

Catalog description

In this course we will read and analyze an array of literary texts and visual media (e.g., art, films or other audio-visual media) to answer questions such as: 1) What are the key historical epochs, literary periods, and political organizations that define the history of the German-speaking world and who are some of its key figures and authors? 2) How do political events and trends create new genres? And how are politics, literary movements, and genres connected? 3) Through which historical processes did the modern German, Austrian and Swiss nations arise? In addition to learning how to interpret literary text and visual media in their cultural context, students will have the opportunity for intensive practice in spoken and written German. This course is taught primarily in German.