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Academic Year 2003/2004

The Simple Life
GERM 230 FA
Crosslistings:
GELT 230

Beginning with the songs of shepherds in ancient Greece, the genre of pastoral literature evolved side by side with Western civilization, often idealizing the "simple life" as a contrast to sophisticated urban life, which was generally perceived as decadent. Related to this genre, but not bound by its conventions, are narratives about, and sometimes by, peasants, farmers, and other country folk who experience nature at first hand as they carry on an existence frequently characterized by unremitting physical labor, material deprivation or scarcity, and geographical limitation. In this course we will examine a wide selection of such narratives, both fiction and nonfiction, to discover the thematic and stylistic constants in portrayals of rural life and to determine what values inform these narratives. Particular attention will be paid to individuals and groups who have deliberately chosen the "simple life."

MAJOR READINGS

Wernher the Gardner, FARMER HELMBRECHT Jean-Jacques Rousseau, selections from EMILE Jeremias Gotthelf, THE BLACK SPIDER Knut Hamsun, GROWTH OF THE SOIL Ole Rolvaag, GIANTS IN THE EARTH Laura Ingalls Wilder, FARMER BOY and THE LONG WINTER Edith Wharton, ETHAN FROME Clara Winston, THE CLOSEST KIN THERE IS Donald Hall, STRING TOO SHORT TO BE SAVED

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly short papers; one final project, which may be creative in nature.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Sophomores will be admitted during the Drop/Add period if spaces are available.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA GERM    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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