German Literature (MA)
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
After a broad chronological overview of the most important moments and authors of the history of German literature from the 18th century to the present day has been provided during the bachelor studies, the present master course focuses on specific problems and moments in German literature with the aim of deepening the topics covered through a rigorous textual analysis in order to teach students the fundamental tools of literary hermeneutics.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: The course aims to provide students with an overview of the modern philosophical-hermeneutical debate on the narrativity of historiography and therefore also on the fictionality of autobiography and testimony. The results of this discussion will then be applied to the analysis of some paradigmatic works of German Holocaust literature. Applying knowledge and understanding: The in-depth analysis of the formal characteristics and content of the works examined aims to provide the tools and methodological skills of literary analysis.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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
Lesson period
First semester
More specific Information on thè delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021 /22 will be provided over thè coming months, based on thè evolution of thè public health Situation.
Course syllabus
The course is entitled: "Die Täter II": Perpetrators according to different points of view in different literary genres and media, and is divided into the following three teaching units, which will be addressed in sequence:
A: Hitler and Himmler
B: Children of the Executioners
C: The grey zone and other criminals
Students interested in acquiring 6 cfu will follow the programme of teaching units A and B; students interested in acquiring 9 cfu will follow the complete programme.
A: Hitler and Himmler
B: Children of the Executioners
C: The grey zone and other criminals
Students interested in acquiring 6 cfu will follow the programme of teaching units A and B; students interested in acquiring 9 cfu will follow the complete programme.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is held entirely in German, the examination documents and the bibliography requires solid language skills, knowledge of literary history, the ability to use critical terms and to apply the critical analysis acquired in previous courses.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures; reading and commenting on excerpts from the works on the program; viewing, listening and commenting on audio and video material found online.
Teaching Resources
The course has a site on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://acostazzalt.ariel.ctu.unimi.it) which can be consulted for educational materials to download in PDF format. For each teaching unit, specific critical essays on individual works or authors or on general questions will be made available on the site.
Bibliographical indications (Some materials will be made available on the ARIEL page of the course).
Teaching unit A:
· Timur Vermes, Er ist wieder da, Köln 2012 (ISBN 978-3404171781)
· Alfred Andersch, Der Vater eines Mörders (1980), Zürich 2006 (ISBN 978-3257236088)
· Katrin Himmler, Die Brüder Himmler: Eine deutsche Familiengeschichte, Frankfurt a.M. 2007 (ISBN 978-3596166862)
Teaching unit B:
· Niklas Frank, Der Vater. Eine Abrechnung, C. Bertelsmann, München 1987; Neuausgabe 2014 (ISBN 978-3000463075)
· Martin Pollak, Der Tote im Bunker Taschenbuch (2004), München 2006 (ISBN 978-3423135283)
Teaching unit C:
· Robert Schindel, Dunkelstein. Eine Realfarce, Innsbruck, Wien 2017 (ISBN 978-3852186450)
· Takis Würger, Stella, München 2020 (ISBN 978-3442488810)
Film:
Der Untergang (2004), directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel
Der Anständige (2014), directed by Vanessa Lapa
Der letzte der Ungerechten (2013), directed by Claude Lanzmann
Im toten Winkel - Hitlers Sekretärin (2002), directed by André Heller und Othmar Schmiderer
Murer, Anatomie eines Prozesses (2018), directed by Christian Frosch
Hasenjagd - Vor lauter Feigheit gibt es kein Erbarmen (1994), directed by Andreas Gruber
„Dann bin ich ja ein Mörder" (2015), directed by Walter Manoschk.
Bibliographical indications (Some materials will be made available on the ARIEL page of the course).
Teaching unit A:
· Timur Vermes, Er ist wieder da, Köln 2012 (ISBN 978-3404171781)
· Alfred Andersch, Der Vater eines Mörders (1980), Zürich 2006 (ISBN 978-3257236088)
· Katrin Himmler, Die Brüder Himmler: Eine deutsche Familiengeschichte, Frankfurt a.M. 2007 (ISBN 978-3596166862)
Teaching unit B:
· Niklas Frank, Der Vater. Eine Abrechnung, C. Bertelsmann, München 1987; Neuausgabe 2014 (ISBN 978-3000463075)
· Martin Pollak, Der Tote im Bunker Taschenbuch (2004), München 2006 (ISBN 978-3423135283)
Teaching unit C:
· Robert Schindel, Dunkelstein. Eine Realfarce, Innsbruck, Wien 2017 (ISBN 978-3852186450)
· Takis Würger, Stella, München 2020 (ISBN 978-3442488810)
Film:
Der Untergang (2004), directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel
Der Anständige (2014), directed by Vanessa Lapa
Der letzte der Ungerechten (2013), directed by Claude Lanzmann
Im toten Winkel - Hitlers Sekretärin (2002), directed by André Heller und Othmar Schmiderer
Murer, Anatomie eines Prozesses (2018), directed by Christian Frosch
Hasenjagd - Vor lauter Feigheit gibt es kein Erbarmen (1994), directed by Andreas Gruber
„Dann bin ich ja ein Mörder" (2015), directed by Walter Manoschk.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between the teacher and the student, and the analysis and commentary of one or more excerpts from the works in the program. The interview has a variable duration depending on the teaching units on which the student is presented, and takes place (at the student's choice) in German or Italian. The interview aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works, the ability in the exposition, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the capacity for critical and personal reflection on the proposed themes. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, and the student has the right to refuse it (in this case it will be verbalized as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours