SYLLABUS: Fall, 2003

WEEK 1: Thursday, 28 August Wed Introduction to the course: Excerpts from Als der Krieg zu Ende war
WEEK 2: 2, 4 September TUES
German identity/liberator identity: the content and/or discourses of these stories point to fundamental East/West differences or similarities
Primary literature: Short stories
- Aichinger, in Trahan, Gruppe 47, pp. 94-96
- Bachmann, in Trahan, Gruppe 47, p. 175
- Bichsel, in Trahan, Gruppe 47, pp. 68-69
- Bobrowski, in Schmitt, 19 Erzähler der DDR, pp. 27-29
- Neutsch, in Schmitt, 19 Erzähler der DDR, pp. 120-151
- Weiss, in Schmitt, 19 Erzähler der DDR, pp. 103-112
- Wolf, in Schmitt, 19 Erzähler der DDR, pp 91-102
Background reading:
- Heineman, in Schissler, The Miracle Years, pp. 21-56
- Smith, in Williams, German Writers and the Cold War 1945-1961, pp. 7-26
- Reid, in Williams, German Writers and the Cold War 1945-1961, pp. 27-46
- Goodbody et al., in Burns, German Cultural Studies, pp. 147-167
- Haase et al. Geschichte der deutschen Literatur II, pp. 31-44

**Assignment due: A précis comparison of two or three themes or formal features of two stories as reflecting fundamental differences or similarities--see description of précis and subsequent assignments on the attached sheet labeled "Assignments 389k.4": ASSIGNMENT #1

THURS
Kahlschlag: Argue the case for or against its existence in Blechtrommel
Primary literature:
- Die Blechtrommel (Book 1, more if possible)
Background reading:
- Trahan, Introduction pp. ix-xii
- Neunzig, Hans Werner Richter und die Gruppe 47, pp. 78-95, 106-117
- Trommler, in Schissler, The Miracle Years, pp. 301-319
- Burns, "Chronology of Events," pp. 349-358

**Assignment due: A précis that explores whether Blechtrommel reflects Kahlschlag pro or con--see ASSIGNMENT #1

WEEK 3: 9, 11 September TUES
Identity politics: Are Brecht and Mann imagining the same Germany?
Primary literature:
- Mann, T., Thomas Mann Essays, pp. 11-13 (n375-379), 33-42 (n386-393), 55 (n399-400)
- Brecht, Schriften 3, pp. 30-33.
Theory:
- Anderson, Imagined Communities, pp. 1-36

**Assignment due: Typed 250-300 word analysis on topic above in your non-native language --see ASSIGNMENT #2

THURS
Swiss perspectives: Individualism versus political systems
Guest Lecturer-Peter Hess
Primary literature:
- Biedermann und die Brandstifter and Die Physiker (Rosh Hashanah at sundown)
Background reading:
- Dürrenmatt, Theaterprobleme, pp. 7-46
- Böhler, "Swiss Literary Culture since 1945," pp. 293-307.
- Frisch, "Schweiz als Heimat?" pp. 509-518
- Frisch, "Überfremdung," pp. 219-220
WEEK 4: 16, 18 September TUES
Hitler's children or anti-fascists--the 68ers
Primary literature: Theory
- Enzensberger, "The Industrialization of the Mind," pp. 3-15
- Habermas, The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere, pp. 1-26
Background reading:
-Albrecht, "Die Massenmedien und die Frankfurter Schule," Die Intellektuelle Gründung der Bundesrepublik, pp. 220-246, 276-281, 312-349, 272) (+abbreviations)

**Assignment due: Précis on either Enzensberger or Habermas reading--see ASSIGNMENT 1

THURS Cultural events and representations in literature and film
Primary literature: Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
Background reading:
-Schmidtke, "Cultural Revolution or Cultural Shock? Student Radicalism and 1968 in Germany," pp. 77-89
- Glaser, "Stadt-Guerilla," pp. 439-446
- Kaes, From Hitler to Heimat. The Return of History as Film, pp. ix-xiii, 3-35, 213-223 (Notes)
WEEK 5: 23, 25 September TUES
Primary literature:
-Weiss, Marat/Sade
Background reading:
- Foucault, "What is an author," pp. 197-210
- Monaco, James. How to Read a Film, 130-148, 183-191

**Film assignment due: A precis comparing the film version of either work read this week with the written text ( films available from Batts 3 for take-home viewing at the Academic Center for viewing there)--see ASSIGNMENT #7

THURS
Mon ** ASSIGNMENT #3 preparation: Choosing topics and tentative papers: Informal presentations
Background reading:
- McFalls, in Denham et al., "How to Read Statistics," pp. 479-483
- Petropoulos, in Denham et al., "How to View a Painting," pp. 464 - 466
- Miller and Denham, in Denham et al., "How to View a Building," pp. 456 - 7
- Koepnick, "Redeeming History?" 303-323
- Germünden, in Denham et al., "How to View a Film," pp. 458-460 (also Monaco)
- McFalls, in Denham et al., "Living with Which Past?" pp. 297-308
- Book Reviews, German Studies Review, pp. 446-459
- Gillis, "Memory and Identity," in Commemorations, pp.3-24
WEEK 6: 30 September, 2 October TUES
Documenting social issues--poesie engagé
Primary literature:
- Wallraff, Industriereportagen, pp. 45-53, 55-65 , 111- 118
- Brecht, Schriften 3, pp.143-150, 286-291
Background reading:
- Runge, "Überlegungen beim Abschied von der Dokumentarliteratur" in Timm and Fuchs, pp. 97-119
- Brecht, Schriften 3, pp.143-150, 286-291

**Assignment due: Using several bibliographic sources, undertake a preliminary search for secondary literature on the topic of your choice--ASSIGNMENT #6

THURS
Hein's novelle as GDR or trans-German
Primary literature:
- Hein, Der fremde Freund
Background reading:
- Costabile-Heming, "Rezensur," pp. 53-67
- Fischer, in Hammer, pp. 93-104
Recommended reading:
- Mandelkow, in Timm and Fuchs, Kontext 1, pp.175-198
- Wiekenberg, pp. 98-102

**Assignment due: 250-300 word analysis of a particular formal or thematic feature that makes the case for the novelle as GDR or trans-German pro or con--see ASSIGNMENT #2
WEEK 7: 7, 9 October TUES
The "Historikerstreit" ­ A German Sonderweg or inherent tendencies?
Primary literature:
- Nolte, "Zwischen Geschichtslegende und Revisionismus," "Vergangenheit, die nicht vergehen will," "Historikerstreit," pp. 13-35, 39-47
- Habermas, "Eine Art Schadensabwicklung," "Historikerstreit, pp. 62-76
Background reading:
- Moeller, in Schissler, pp. 83-109
Recommended reading:
- Mitscherlich, Die Unfähigkeit zu trauern, pp. 7-51

**Abstract assignment due: see ASSIGNMENT #3

THURS
The fascist past as special Austrian problem or an identity issue shared with the FRG
Guest Lecturer: Katherine Arens
Primary literature:
- Handke, Wunschloses Unglück
Background reading:
- Zeyringer, Österreichische Literatur, pp. 51-93
WEEK 8: 14, 16 October TUES
Primary literature:
- Bernhard, Heldenplatz
Background reading:
- Arens, unpublished paper

**Assignment due: 250-300 word analysis in your non-native language of either work as representative of uniquely "Austrian" perspectives or not --see ASSIGNMENT #2

THURS
Loss of faith in master narratives
Primary literature:
- Süskind, Das Parfum, pp. 5-17; 46-62
Background reading:
- Glaser, Kleine Kulturgeschichte, "Postmoderne," 383-39
WEEK 9: 21, 23 October TUES
German images of the fascist experience past and present
Primary literature:
- Klüger, Weiter leben, pp. 80-93, 126-139, 144-159, 188-193.
Background reading:
- Zipes, "Contested Jews," pp. 3-15
- Bartov, "'Seit die Juden weg sind. . .'" in Denham et al. pp. 209-226
- Koonz, in Gillis, "Between Memory and Oblivion," pp. 258-280.

THURS
The larger debates behind the debate focusing on Christa Wolf
Primary literature:
- "Vorgeschichte," in Anz, "Es geht nicht um Christa Wolf," pp. 29-34
- Reich-Ranicki, in Anz, "Es geht nicht um Christa Wolf," pp. 35-40
- Schirrmacher, in Anz, "Es geht nicht um Christa Wolf," pp. 66-70; pp. 256-257
- Grass, in Anz, "Es geht nicht um Christa Wolf," pp. 122-134
- "Österreich," in Anz, "Es geht nicht um Christa Wolf," pp. 218-222
- "Schweiz," in Anz, "Es geht nicht um Christa Wolf," pp. 222-227
Recommended reading for a North American Germanist's views on authorial ethics and censorship:
- Bathrick, David. The Powers of Speech

**Assignment due: A précis comparing a Wolf (qua many GDR authors) "defender" versus an "attacker" -- identify at least 2 key issues (see ASSIGNMENT #1)
WEEK 10: 28, 30 October TUES
"Ausländerliteratur"--the German Other or the new Germany?
Primary literature:
- Brillowska, M. in Tuschick, Morgen Land, pp. 63-69
- Avantario, Vito, in Tuschick, Morgen Land, pp. 21-24
- Biller, Maxim, in Tuschick, Morgen Land, pp. 169-177
Background reading:
-Berman, "Multiculturalism, Reintegration, and Beyond: The Afrikanisch- Asiatische Studentenförderung in Göttingen," pp. 34-53

THURS
The retrospective literatures after reunification
Primary literature:
Grass, Ein weites Feld, Chapter 1
Background reading:
- Balzer, "Geschichte als Wendemechanismus," pp. 209-220.
- Riordan, "From Hallstein to Sinatra," pp. 676-687.
- Wittmann, in Williams, German Literature at a Time of Change 1989--1990, pp. 273-284.
WEEK 11: 4, 6 November TUES
Cultural history and literature--relationships in teaching and publication

**Assignment due: Teaching literatures, films, or other "texts" read in conjunction with this course (you are encouraged to incorporate work from research on your paper/talk)--a lesson plan with a related assignment for 1) an elementary and 2) an upper division class--see ASSIGNMENT #8

THURS
Talk presentation + Précis of presentation due--see ASSIGNMENTS #1 & #4
WEEK 12: 11, 13 November TUES
Talk presentations + Précis of presentation due--see ASSIGNMENT #4

THURS
Talk presentations + Précis of presentation due--see ASSIGNMENT #4
WEEK 13: 18, 20 November TUES
Talk presentations + Précis of presentation due--see ASSIGNMENT #4

THURS
WEEK 14: 25 November (THANKSGIVING is 27 November) TUES
Individual appointments with instructor

THURS
NO CLASS
WEEK 15: 2, 4 December TUES
Individual appointments with instructor

THURS
FINAL DISCUSSION

**Conference paper due: see ASSIGNMENT #5