Module Code - Title:

GE4626 - GERMAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE 4

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To examine major literary and cultural movements of the 19th century through a study of representative authors and various genres. To give students an understanding of the intellectual, artistic and philosophical milieu in 19th century German culture.

Syllabus:

A study of classicism in drama and poetry and its relationship to preceding movements: 'EnlightenmentÆ and æSturm und DrangÆ; poetic realism (1850-1890) in its social context - industrialisation, urbanisation, growth of the middle classes; and impressionism as an expression of the mood of pessimism at the turn of the century and its role in the æWilhelminische Zeit prior to World War I.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: * recognize key political events in the long 19th century and their reflection in literary texts * assess the interaction between German political, philosophical, scientific thought and literature in the 19th century * develop a clear sense of the periods of Klassik, Biedermeier, Vormõrz, Realismus, Naturalismus and Expressionismus * discuss and evaluate the debate between Enlightenment, Classical and Romantic writers * analyse and interpret texts in different genres from the 19th century and write a critical assessment of a specific aspect in German using and evaluating secondary literature * relate 19th century literature to contemporary developments in art and music and its reflection in literature, film and other cultural products today

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: * demonstrate a critical appreciation of the ongoing legacy of key texts and authors of 19th century literature in German.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

Not applicable

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

A one-hour lecture will be supported by a two hour seminar in which literary and visual texts related to the lecture will be analysed and discussed. Students will be engaged in active learning both inside and outside the classroom and will be encouraged to carry out self-directed work (e.g. essays and oral presentations) related to the material covered on this module.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

J W Goethe () Faust I , Klett

H Heine (1997) Deutschland - ein Wintermärchen , dtv

T Fontane (1996) Effi Briest , Klett

B Bode (1994) Deutsche Gedichte , Reclam

C Parry (1993) Menschen - Werke - Epochen , Hueber

D Blackbourn (2003) History of Germany 1780 - 1918. The long nineteenth century. , Blackwell

Other Relevant Texts:

H A and E Frenzel (1991) Daten deutscher Dichtung , dtv

F Krobb, J Morrison (eds) (2003) Poetry Project. Irish Germanists Interpret German Verse , Lang

J Bark (1984) Geschichte der deutschen Literatur: Biedermeier - Vormärz - Bürgerlicher Realismus , Klett

J Schmidt (1999) Goethes Faust Erster und Zweiter Teil: Grundlagen - Werk - Wirkung , Beck

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Spring

Module Leader:

Clarisa.Novello@ul.ie