The emphasis of this module is on developing the ability to read and engage critically with drama in German.  Based on a close reading of five representative dramas (plus excerpts from another two), we will investigate how the formal approach to dramatic writing differs in various literary periods, what the language tells us about the respective cultural and historical contexts, and how questions of life and death, of good and evil, are portrayed.  Using approaches adapted from selected theoretical writings, we will analyse and compare the most significant characteristics of these works, focusing on dialogue, character constellation, action, place, and staging.  Besides extending and reinforcing command of the language, engagement with the dramas will allow students to gain a better under-standing of the rich literary heritage of German in both cultural and linguistic contexts.

This module is suitable for advanced students.

Besides extending and reinforcing command of the language, engagement with the dramas will allow students to gain a better understanding of the rich literary heritage of German in both cultural and linguistic contexts.

• Weekly lectures
• Weekly seminars
• Preparatory reading assignments
• Film viewing

General intellectual skills

• critical reading and analysis of German literary and theoretical texts
• contributing to class discussions in an informed manner
• presentation skills
• familiarization with methods of literary interpretation
• developing a critical sensitivity to the cultural and historical contexts in which the discussed dramas were created
• German reading proficiency

Personal transferable skills

• writing, presentation, discussion, independent research and study skills
• arguing competently, identifying and using evidence; structuring and  evaluating information coherently; drawing informed critical conclusions

Presentation - 0% - in class during semester

Essay - 30% - Week 12

Exam - 2 hours - 70% - Autumn exam period

Primary Sources:
 

◦ Goethe, Iphigenie auf Tauris

◦ Büchner, Woyzeck

◦ Brecht, Der gute Mensch von Sezuan

◦ Lessing, Miss Sara Sampson

◦ Bernhard, Ein Fest für Boris
◦ Holz/Schlaf, Die Famile Selicke (excerpts)

◦ Gryphius, Catharina von Georgien (excerpts)

◦ select theoretical writings to be made available in class meetings and on Learning Central

Secondary Sources:

Siekmann, Training Drameninterpretation.

Siekmann, Training Drameninterpretation.  Stuttgart, Klett, 2002. ISBN-10: 312922082 ISBN-13: 978-3129220825 (out of print; used copies will be made available in class)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Iphigenie auf Tauris.  EinFach Deutsch Textausgaben.  Paderborn: Schöningh, 1999.  ISBN-10: 314022308  ISBN-13: 978-3140223089

Bertold Brecht, Der gute Mensch von Sezuan.  Frankfurt, Suhrkamp, 1964.  ISBN-10: 3518100734  ISBN-13: 978-3518100738

Georg Büchner, Woyzeck, EinFach Deutsch Textausgaben.  Paderborn: Schöningh, 1999. ISBN-10: 3140223145
ISBN-13: 978-3140223140

Thomas Bernhard,  Stücke 1 (Ein Fest für Boris/Der Ignorant und der Wahnsinnige/Die Jagdgesellschaft/Die Macht der Gewohnheit).  Frankfurt: Suhrkamp, 1988. ISBN-10: 3518380249   ISBN-13: 978-3518380246   (or Thomas Bernhard, Ein Fest für Boris.  Frankfurt: Suhrkamp, 1996.  ISBN-10: 3518133187   ISBN-13: 978-3518133187  (out of print, available second-hand)

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing: Miß Sara Sampson: Ein bürgerliches Trauerspiel in fünf Aufzügen: Text und Kommentar.  Frankfurt: Suhrkamp, 2005  ISBN-10: 3518188526  ISBN-13: 978-3518188521

Arno Holz/Johannes Schlaf, Die Familie Selicke.  Berlin: Edition Holzinger,2013.  ISBN-10: 1482580284  ISBN-13: 978-1482580280 (or Arno Holz/Johannes Schlaf, Die Familie Selicke.  Stuttgart: Reclam, 1986.  ISBN-10: 3150089875  ISBN-13: 978-3150089873  (out of print, available second-hand)
 

Supplementary Reading

◦ Andreas Gryphius, Catharina von Georgien.  Stuttgart: Reclam, 1986. ISBN-10: 3150089875  ISBN-13: 978-3150089873

◦ Independent research to identify relevant secondary sources will be expected; suggestions are available upon request.

Indicative Viewing

• Woyzeck