GERM266

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GERM266

Walter Benjamin and His Critics GERM266 FA

Crosslistings: COL 268

Not Currently Offered

Perhaps this century's most celebrated German literary critic, cultural historian, and homme de lettres, Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) has been examined from a remarkably wide array of angles, appropriated by a host of disparate and often contradictory programs, and repeatedly considered anew in light of evolving critical methodologies. Perceived as a utopian Marxist, a Jewish messianist, and a historical materialist, Benjamin has elicited responses from commentators in such disciplines as art history, sociology, and political science and from proponents of such diverse theoretical enterprises as feminism, new historicism, Marxism, and poststructuralism. The central aims of this course are to introduce Benjamin's main works in English translation; to examine the ways in which he has been received among his contemporaries and critics; to engage in the debate on how to appraise Walter Benjamin's critical legacy.

MAJOR READINGS

Walter Benjamin: SELECTED WRITINGS, Vol. I
(1913-1926)
ILLUMINATIONS
REFLECTIONS
CORRESPONDENCE
M.P. Steinberg, ed., WALTER BENJAMIN AND THE DEMANDS OF
HISTORY
Gary Smith, ed., ON WALTER BENJAMIN
Bernd White, ed., WALTER BENJAMIN: AN INTELLECTUAL BIOGRAPHY
COURSE READER.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two short papers, one oral presentation, one final paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Regular attendance and participation. 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: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-22-1999

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