Corso di laurea in Culture e letterature
del mondo moderno

In compliance with the specific educational goals of the degree course in Modern Cultures and Literatures for this area, the module aims to:

- deepen the knowledge of some German writers and their texts, in the context of their time and socio-cultural situation;

- give tools and methodologies useful for the analysis and interpretation of discoursive strategies about literary works.

In compliance with the general aims explicited in the SUA-CdS of Culture e letterature del mondo moderno, the attended learning results are:

Knowledge and understanding

The student should be able to show adequate knowledge of the evolution changes that have occurred in the German-speaking literature, linked with the main historical and cultural changes. They will use an adequate terminology while speaking of themes and motivs found in German-speaking literature. They will be able to use analythical tools and methods to study literary textes.

Applying knowledge and understanding, independent judgement

Students will be enabled with regard to autonomy of judgement and flexibility in interpretation so that s/he will be able to analyse the course material and answer non-notionistic questions.

Communication skills

Students will be able to examine texts related to the German-speaking literature, and to propose an interpretation and analysis of the same as well as of specific critical features.

Learning skills
The student will show that s/he can enhance their competences with regard to the discipline following an autonomous path. In particular, s/he should show knowledge of the general area of studies and of specific bibliography.

The module is thought as an introduction. It aims to give a bird's eye view of the most important developments of German-speaking literature from XVIII to XIX Century, in European context. It will focus on:

- periodization and its problems;

- main cultural, artistic and literary movements;

- readers and makers;

- influence on and of the historical events.

A selection of works of some German-speaking writers will be analised:

Theodor Fontane, Effi Briest; Rainer Maria Rilke, Die Aufzeichnungen des Malte Laurids Brigge, Duineser Elegien; Bertolt Brecht, Gedichte, Die Dreigroschenoper; Franz Kafka, Der Urteil, Die Verwandlung, Ein Hungerkünstler, Ein Bericht für eine Akademie; Robert Musil, Die Verwirrungen des Zögling Törless; Erich Maria Remarque, Im Westen Nichts Neues.