German Literature of the Early and High Middle Ages
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to: - introduce students to the use of basic tools for linguistic and philological study of texts in Ancient and Middle High German; - introduce students to emblematic works of different genres of Medieval German literature; - introduce students to reading, translating and analyzing parts of one of the most important works of the German Middle Ages.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: - to know the key stages of the literary and cultural evolution of German Middle Ages - to know key literary genres, the main authors and works of the Medieval German literature; Skills: - to be able to read, analyze critically and understand the original texts read in class and to elaborate on their literary and cultural value.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is entitled 'The Iwein of Hartmann von Aue' and consists of two parts (A and B) that will be tackled in sequence, and a third part (C) that will run in parallel:
A: Old High German and Middle High German literature.
B: The Iwein of Hartmann von Aue.
C: The Minnesang.
Students who intend to acquire 6 CFU will stick to the syllabus of parts A and B; all students who intend to acquire 9 CFU will stick to the complete syllabus (A, B, C).
The course (part B) focuses on one of the most significant genres of medieval literature, the courtly romance, and in particular on Hartmann von Aue's Iwein, one of the earliest Arthurian works in German, based on Chrétien de Troyes' Yvain. The protagonist, a knight, through a double series of trials and a moment of crisis in which he loses himself, comes to harmonise love, marriage and the responsibilities of government. The text is to be read in its entirety in a modern German version; the course will focus on the most significant passages, also offered in the original language. Unit A introduces the main aspects of medieval German literature through the presentation of genres and the anthological reading of particularly significant works and passages. The third part (C) will focus on the poetry of Middle High German (Minnesang) and on some particularly representative poems, of which a linguistic and literary commentary will be made.
The course programme is valid until February 2026.
A: Old High German and Middle High German literature.
B: The Iwein of Hartmann von Aue.
C: The Minnesang.
Students who intend to acquire 6 CFU will stick to the syllabus of parts A and B; all students who intend to acquire 9 CFU will stick to the complete syllabus (A, B, C).
The course (part B) focuses on one of the most significant genres of medieval literature, the courtly romance, and in particular on Hartmann von Aue's Iwein, one of the earliest Arthurian works in German, based on Chrétien de Troyes' Yvain. The protagonist, a knight, through a double series of trials and a moment of crisis in which he loses himself, comes to harmonise love, marriage and the responsibilities of government. The text is to be read in its entirety in a modern German version; the course will focus on the most significant passages, also offered in the original language. Unit A introduces the main aspects of medieval German literature through the presentation of genres and the anthological reading of particularly significant works and passages. The third part (C) will focus on the poetry of Middle High German (Minnesang) and on some particularly representative poems, of which a linguistic and literary commentary will be made.
The course programme is valid until February 2026.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is held in German, the materials and the bibliography require solid language skills. Students of Degree Courses other than Languages who do not know German or are beginners will not always be able to count on translations into Italian; therefore, if interested in the course, they should contact the teacher in advance to assess any adaptations of the program.
Erasmus and other forms of mobility students are admitted, provided they have solid German language skills.
Erasmus and other forms of mobility students are admitted, provided they have solid German language skills.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: frontal lessons; reading and commenting on passages from the works in the program.
Teaching Resources
The course has a website on the online platform for teaching Ariel
(https://pspazzaliltm.ariel.ctu.unimi.it) to which you can refer for materials provided by the teacher.
Bibliography:
Unit A: Heinz Sieburg, Literatur des Mittelalters. Berlin 2012
or:
Thomas Bein, Deutsche Literatur des Mittelalters. Eine Einführung in die Germanistische Mediävistik. Berlin 2020.
Unit B: Hartmann von Aue, Iwein, mittelhochdeutsch/neuhochdeutsch, herausgegeben und übersetzt von Rüdiger Krohn, kommentiert von Mireille Schnyder. Stuttgart 2012
Unit C: Thomas Bein, Deutschsprachige Lyrik des Mittelalters. Berlin 2017, chapters A4 and B3.
(https://pspazzaliltm.ariel.ctu.unimi.it) to which you can refer for materials provided by the teacher.
Bibliography:
Unit A: Heinz Sieburg, Literatur des Mittelalters. Berlin 2012
or:
Thomas Bein, Deutsche Literatur des Mittelalters. Eine Einführung in die Germanistische Mediävistik. Berlin 2020.
Unit B: Hartmann von Aue, Iwein, mittelhochdeutsch/neuhochdeutsch, herausgegeben und übersetzt von Rüdiger Krohn, kommentiert von Mireille Schnyder. Stuttgart 2012
Unit C: Thomas Bein, Deutschsprachige Lyrik des Mittelalters. Berlin 2017, chapters A4 and B3.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between teacher and student and the analysis and commentary of one or more excerpts from the works in the program. The duration of the interview varies according to the number of the teaching units attended by the student.
The interview aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to analyze the works, the ability to present them, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the ability to reflect critically and personally on the proposed issues. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, and the student has the right to refuse it (in which case it will be recorded as "ritirato", "withdrawn").
International students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the teacher as soon as possible. Examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
The interview aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to analyze the works, the ability to present them, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the ability to reflect critically and personally on the proposed issues. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, and the student has the right to refuse it (in which case it will be recorded as "ritirato", "withdrawn").
International students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the teacher as soon as possible. Examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
Unita' didattica A
L-FIL-LET/15 - GERMANIC PHILOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-FIL-LET/15 - GERMANIC PHILOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-FIL-LET/15 - GERMANIC PHILOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)