GERM264

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GERM264

Kafka and Jesus GERM264 SP

Crosslistings: COL 285, GELT264

Section	Class Size	*Available	Times
1	60	10	Times: .T.T... 10:00AM-11:20AM;

*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for the current phase of registration. Some seats may be taken in previous phases while others may be held out for subsequent phases of registration. (Last Updated on Wed Mar 4 05:00:40 EST 1998 )

Photo Caption and Credits

One of the most interesting developments in Kafka scholarship of the last decade has been the impulse to contextualize his work, to demonstrate its connections to the literary and cultural environment from which it sprang. In this course, we will investigate what might be called the Jewish subtext of Kafka's work. While we will give due attention to studies that have emphasized analogies between his work and that of the Kabbalah and other Jewish mystical traditions, we will also consider the startling evidence in his work of an attempted synthesis of Jewish and Christian traditions. A focus of the course will in fact be Kafka's interest in the figure of Jesus, who was after all not only the Christian messiah, but also a bachelor, a storyteller, and a Jew in crisis. The basic texts will comprise two of the three major novels, several stories including those which may be read as "artist" narratives, and the diaries and letters.

MAJOR READINGS

Franz Kafka, AMERICA, THE CASTLE, THE
JUDGEMENT, THE METAMORPHOSIS, IN THE PENAL COLONY, A REPORT
TO AN ACADEMY, JOSEPHINE THE SINGER, LETTER TO HIS FATHER,
LETTERS TO FELICE
Walter Benjamin, Essays on Kafka
Mark Anderson, KAFKA'S CLOTHES
Sander L. Gilman, KAFKA THE PATIENT

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

One short paper, one exam, one research paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Class attendance and active participation are essential. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA GERM

Prerequisites: None

Section 01: Arnold, H; Times: .T.T... 10:00AM-11:20AM;; Grading Mode: Mixed; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 1, So: 2, Fr: 3; Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998

About the Photo:

Franz Kafka

Reference:

Binder, Hartmut, FRANZ KAFKA, Germany: Alfred Kroner Verlag Stuttgart, 1979

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