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GERM264
Kafka and Jesus
GERM264 SP
Crosslistings: COL 285, GELT264
| Section | Class Size | *Available | Times | POI | Prereq |
|---|
| 1 | 25 | 1 | Times: M.W.... 2:40PM-4:00PM; | No | No |
*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for
the Blue Add 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 Tue Aug 10 05:00:21 EDT 1999
)
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 critically what might be
called the Jewish subtext of Kafka's work. While due
attention will be given 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 that may be read as artist
narratives, and the diaries and letters.
MAJOR READINGS
Franz Kafka, AMERICA, THE CASTLE, THE
JUDGMENT, 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.
Only COL majors will be allowed to take this course for
credit. All others must take this course for a letter
grade.
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
- Lensing, L
- Times: M.W.... 2:40PM- 4:00PM;
- Grading Mode: Mixed
- Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 1, So: 1, Fr: 0
- No Major Preference Given
Last Updated on MAR-22-1999
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459