German Literature (MA)

A.Y. 2023/2024
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
L-LIN/13
Language
German
Learning objectives
The German Literature course for the Master's degree is a specialisation compared to the German Literature subjects of the Bachelor's degree and is crucial to improve cultural competence in German literature and sharpen one's critical spirit. After having provided a broad chronological overview of the main moments and authors in the history of German literature from the 18th century to the present day over the course of the B.A., this course, taught entirely in German and thus also suitable for enhancing language skills, deepen specific issues and moments in German literature through rigorous textual analysis and critical interpretation. The lessons also demonstrate an innovative character thanks to the focus on both teacher-student interaction and autonomous production, offering the possibility of mastering complex textual analysis tools and methodological skills of literary analysis useful not only in the context of formation and professionalisation as a Germanist.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and skills: Students are expected to be familiar with the historical and literary context of the works considered and to be able to understand texts (dramatic, narrative and poetic) in German in order to analyse critically and interpret them in their connections with the historical, cultural and artistic frame of reference. They must also deepen their knowledge of the theoretical tools that enable them to analyse literary texts, so as to show, in the course of the lessons and during the exam, autonomy and critical capacity in commenting on the works taken into consideration.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course consists of followings parts:

Part A (20 hours, 3 ects): Dichterfiktionen um 1800 und um 1900 (Drama und Prosa)
Part B (20 hours, 3 ects): Dichter im Film
Parte C (20 hours, 3 ects): Dichterdarstellungen in der Lyrik

The course, which is held in German, is intended for students of the the Master's Degree in European and Extra-European Languages and Literatures and provides for the acquisition of 6 or 9 ects. Those interested in acquiring 6 ects will follow the syllabus of teaching units A and B; those interested in acquiring 9 ects will follow the full syllabus.
The course programme is valid until February 2025.

Course presentation

The course focuses on literary representations of poets in the nineteenth- and twentieth-century literary canon, as well as in film.
Part A is devoted to the portrayal of poets in fiction and drama; Part B deals with such figures transposed into the art of film; Part C finally focuses on the ways in which different lyric forms portray poets, with reference to the epochs from the 19th century to the present.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of modern and contemporary German literature acquired during the B.A. Course and ability to analyse the works dealt with as well as to rework critically the topics addressed during the course.
Students are supposed to have at least a linguistic competence of level B2.
Teaching methods
The lectures, both face-to-face and seminar-based, involve direct teacher-student discussion and the critical participation of students in the discussion of the texts and topics addressed during the lectures. Attendance at lectures also constitutes in this sense a fundamental formative moment for active and passive skills in the German language.
Teaching Resources
Bibliographical References

Part A
- Johann Wolfgang Goethe: Torquato Tasso (qualsiasi edizione integrale del testo in tedesco)
- Rainer Maria Rilke, Die Aufzeichnungen des Malte Laurids Brigge, Frankfurt am Main, Suhrkamp (Suhrkamp BasisBibliothek), 2000ff.
- Reader A: Texte und Materialien (Ariel Letteratura tedesca LM)

Part B
- Filme über Dichter(figuren) - selection of films, to be defined
- Reader B: Texte zu den Filmen (Ariel Letteratura tedesca LM)

Part C
- Reader C Dichterlyrik vom 18. Jahrhundert bis zur Gegenwart (Ariel Letteratura tedesca LM)

Non-attending students should read following texts:
- Georg Büchner, Lenz, Frankfurt am Main, Suhrkamp (Suhrkamp BasisBibliothek), 1998ff.
- Thomas Mann, Tonio Kröger, Torino, Einaudi, 2016ff.
- Reader for non attending students (Ariel Letteratura tedesca LM)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The test, in German, consists of a Referat on a topic of your choice to be agreed upon with the lecturers, to be held during the "appello", and an interview on the topics in the syllabus, aimed at verifying the acquisition of the contents (historical-cultural and critical-methodological) and the ability to analyse and interpret the works examined using tools and vocabulary appropriate to the study of German at the Master's level.
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
please book an appointment (see link below)
P.zza S. Alessandro 1