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Academic Year 2004/2005

Kafka and Viennese Modernism
GERM 383 FA

This course will focus on a relatively neglected but important framework for understanding Kafka's work in context: Viennese Modernism. Readings will explore analogies and interactions related to literary impressionism (Altenberg), psychoanalysis and its early literary applications (Freud, Rank, Stekel, Wittels), satire and aphoristic form (Karl Kraus), anti-ornamentalism and classical form (the polemical essays of the architect Adolf Loos), expressionist art (Kokoschka, Kubin, Schiele, Gerstl), and cinema (THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI).

MAJOR READINGS

Kafka,"Beschreibung eines Kampfes," "Das Urteil," "Die Verwandlung," "Ein Bericht fur eine Akademie," "Ein Hungerkunstler," "Josephine die Sangerin, oder das Volk der Mause," "Bein Bau der Chinesischen Mauer"
Peter Altenberg, "Parabel," "Der Affe Peter," "Eine Hungerkunstlerin"
Sigmund Freud, DREI ABHANDLUNGEN ZUR SEXUALTHEORIE and other works
Karl Kraus, "Er ist doch e Jud," "Heine und die Folgen," aphorisms, LITERATUR
Adolf Loos, "Ornament und Verbrechen" and other essays
DAS KABINETT DES DR. CALIGARI (film)
Mark Anderson, KAFKA'S CLOTHES

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Four short papers; one research paper.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: GERM214 OR GERM217 OR (WUPG251 AND WUPG252) Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

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