Germanic Languages | Introduction to German Literature: Types
G305 | 3607 | Lawson
Description: This course will introduce students to the study of
literary types--drama, narrative, and lyric--with examples of each
selected from two or more historical periods. It will enable students
to improve their reading proficiency in German through their careful
examination of two longer, and two or more shorter, unedited literary
texts as well as of several short poems. Class work will include
systematic vocabulary building designed to give students the tools
they need to discuss literary types in German. Attention will be paid
to points of advanced grammar and usage. Course readings and regular
class discussions will focus on the formal and literary means by which
authors from different times treat related motifs, themes, and ideas.
All texts will be in German. German will also be used as the first
language of discussion, but English will be available as needed.
Prerequisites: Any student may enroll in G305 who has either
completed G300 at IUB with a grade of C- or higher or achieved an
official qualifying score on the IUB German Placement Test
(administered by the IUB Bureau of Evaluation Services and Testing),
or on another standardized proficiency test. Completion of G330,
however, is strongly recommended. Students with a native or near
native command of German should consult with the Undergraduate Advisor
about substituting an appropriate 400-level course for G305.
Texts and materials: We will read (and hear and see not necessarily in
1) Die Entdeckung der Currywurst, the 1993 novel by Uwe Timm.
DTV, ISBN: 3423083948
2) Maria Magdalene, a play by 19th century German dramatist Friedrich
Hebbel. Reclam, ISBN 3150031737
3) a set of poems selected from widely different times. Available
from the instructor
4) a selection of short works representing other narrative and
dramatic genres, such as short stories, Hörspiele, which will be
either provided by the instructor or available online.
5) A film -- TBD
6) RECOMMENDED—Volker Meid, Sachwörterbuch der Literatur,
Students should own or have access to a good German dictionary as well
as to a reference grammar