ENG 210
("Not-So-German" German Literature)
Spring Semester - 2004
Prerequisite: none
Professor: Dr. Timothy J. Holian
Office: SS/C 212 C
Telephone: (816) 271-4318
E-mail: holian@missouriwestern.edu; also found via EFLJ and German Club web sites
Office Hours: M W F 12:00-1:00; W F 2:00-3:00
and by appointment
Classrooms: 9:00-9:50 M W F (JGM 208)
Textbooks: Frank G. Ryder, ed., Gottfried Keller: Stories (New York: Continuum, 1982).
Volkmar Sander, ed., Friedrich Dürrenmatt: Plays and Essays (New York:
Continuum, 1982).
Nahum N. Glatzer, ed., Franz Kafka: The Complete Stories (New York: Schocken
Books, 1971).
Other, photocopied materials will be distributed as needed.
Purpose:
This course is designed to introduce the student to some of the most prominent German-speaking authors and their representative works. These artists have made special contributions to the German literary tradition and continue to achieve special distinction, despite having lived and worked primarily outside of the borders of modern-day Germany. With this course we will introduce the student to the time and unique cultural climate of their writings, while exploring and interpreting the literary genres in which they occur. All work will be done in English, although aspects of the German language inevitably will come up in the course of our readings and discussions; translation of this material will be made as needed.
General Course Objectives:
1. To expose the American student to works of other cultures and other countries (e.g. modern-day Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic).
2. To help the student put these works into perspective by making the student aware of certain broad historical, political and social trends of the times during which each was written. This course does not intend to be a history course, yet recognizing that art and literature do not occur in a vacuum, it is designed to present general, political, historical, social, and artistic trends that might have influenced each writer.
3. To help the student become aware of certain stylistic techniques used in each of these selections such as the development of character, narrative perspectives, metaphorical language, and irony.
ENG 210 Guidelines:
1. English 210 fulfills Category IV General Studies requirements. These goals can be found on http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/genstud.asp. All English 210 sections provide practice in reading poetry, prose fiction, and drama.
2. General 210 Objectives are as follows:
o Recognize the major characteristics of literary genres.
o Discuss literature, orally and in writing, with assurance.
o Appreciate literary works that are encountered.
o Understand the different ways in which literary themes may be treated in texts.
3. General 210 Means are as follows:
o Read poetry, fiction, and drama.
o Investigate various methods of approaching and understanding literature.
o Write papers, including themes and essay examinations.
o Read a variety of literary works in which a chosen theme is dominant.
Performance Objectives:
At the end of this course the student should be able to:
1. discuss in detail the major themes present in each of the works presented;
2. be able to discuss each work in its historical and cultural perspective; and
3. provide examples of certain literary techniques used in each work read.
Class Procedure:
You should be aware that this is primarily a DISCUSSION and LECTURE course. Historical background and presentation of artistic trends and stylistic techniques will be presented in this manner. Students will be expected to take notes on this material, as it will be included in the questions on the written tests.
Course Requirements:
1. Midterm examination
2. Comprehensive final exam
3. Regular and significant participation in class discussions
4. Journals, based on assigned readings
Grade Components: Grading Scale:
Midterm Examination 30% 94-100: A
Final Exam 30% 90-93: A-
Class Participation 20% 87-89: B+
Journals 20% 84-86: B
80-83: B-
77-79: C+
74-76: C
70-73: C-
67-69: D+
64-66: D
60-63: D-
0-59: F
Journal Work, Class Participation, and Grading:
1. Each student is expected to keep a journal in which, after reading the assigned story (outside of class), three questions about the story OR three quotes from the story are jotted down. These questions or quotes will serve as the springboard for class discussion. Each question or quote must be answered or explained by the student in writing, and in paragraph form. This paragraph should reflect the individual student's greater understanding of the text. It should be a discussion that draws upon the historical and cultural information that was presented in class prior to the reading of the assigned novella, as well as any information given about the author's personal life or literary objectives and style. You should use the following format:
"Title of Story", by Author
1a) Quote or question
1b) Paragraph discussion of above
2a) Quote or question
2b) Paragraph discussion of above
3a) Quote or question
3b) Paragraph discussion of above
2. Following a class discussion of the short story, students are then expected to write a brief summary of the work as presented in class, including his/her individual insights (e.g. likes and dislikes about the story, personal significance of the work). This should be turned in on a separate sheet of paper, not as part of your journal entries.
3. Your journals will be collected and graded on a regular basis. Journal grades will be based on content (80%) and mechanics (20%), and will only be accepted for full credit on the day that the assignment is due. Late work will only be accepted for half-credit, and for only two class periods after the original due date of the assignment. Only under extraordinary circumstances (e.g. military leave, serious and lengthy illness, verifiable family emergency, MWSC-sanctioned travel) will this policy be modified; I reserve the authority to determine what constitutes an extraordinary circumstance in this regard, for this class.
(NOTE: Your journal preparation will inevitably impact your class participation grade, in that students are expected to participate in class discussion and since class participation grades will be based in part on intelligent comments and observations made in regard to the stories. In this regard, "class participation" and "attendance" are not the same in meaning; simply being in class does not qualify as "participating" in the activities of the day.)
4. You are encouraged to consult with/utilize outside German source material (including but not limited to: library books, Interlibrary Loan publications, journal articles, Internet resources) in the preparation of your journals and class participation comments. Note, however, that if you choose to augment your work in this manner, it is absolutely essential that you credit your sources appropriately within your journals (MLA style preferred, footnoting rather than endnoting - no bibliography required). It is NEVER acceptable procedure to submit the ideas of others as being your own intellectual property. Also, in the event that you use the Internet for your source materials, you MUST furnish a copy of the entire document with your journal entry, including the relevant Internet address. This must be furnished for each Internet citation you use.
Student Responsibilities:
1. The ability to learn and master the concepts presented in this course are directly associated with regular class attendance and participation. This is considered an essential part of the student's educational experience, as well as a requirement for an adequate evaluation of student academic progress (generally) and the class participation grade (specifically). Although there is no specific attendance requirement for this course (i.e. number of absences "allowed"), you are strongly encouraged to show up for class each day, to maximize your learning potential. NOTE: In the event that you are absent from a given class session, YOU are responsible for finding out what you missed in your absence, including (but not limited to) any announced changes to the course syllabus and homework assignments.
2. The use of tape recorders is permitted for this course, but as a courtesy, you are expected to inform me if you plan to tape class sessions. On the other hand, the use of cell phones (making and receiving calls) is absolutely prohibited in my classes. Only under extraordinary circumstances will exceptions be made, and only after prior consultation with me; otherwise, they must be turned off. For a first violation of this rule, you will be politely reminded of this policy; if there is a second violation, you will be asked to leave the class.
3. Although it is my intention to adhere to the course plan as fully as possible, I reserve the right to modify the syllabus based on prevailing conditions and/or unforeseen circumstances. Every effort will be made to announce in class any changes to the syllabus, with as much advance notice as possible. In the event of student absence, it is the sole responsibility of the student to find out if any such changes have been announced.
Other Items of Importance:
1. Any student in this course who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements.
2. All matters concerning student attendance and academic honesty are governed by Missouri Western State College policy statements (i.e. Missouri Western State College Policy Guide sections IV.B and II.A), and will be strictly enforced in accordance with provisions outlined therein.
Course Schedule - ENG 210
("Not-So-German" German Literature)
Spring Semester - 2004
Week One: Introduction to course, German literary background
Week Two: Introduction to Gottfried Keller; The Three Righteous Combmakers
Week Three: Keller, A Village Romeo and Juliet and Clothes Make the Man
Week Four: Keller, Clothes Make the Man (cont.) and Seven Legends stories
Week Five: Introduction to Jeremias Gotthelf; The Black Spider
Week Six: Introduction to Franz Kafka; introductory parables and The Judgment
Week Seven: Kafka, The Metamorphosis and In the Penal Colony
Week Eight: Kafka, In the Penal Colony (cont.); Midterm Examination
Week Nine: Spring Break (NO CLASS)
Week Ten: Kafka, A Country Doctor, A Report to an Academy, and A Hunger Artist
Week Eleven: Kafka, Description of a Struggle and The Burrow
Week Twelve: Introduction to Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Problems of the Theater
Week Thirteen: Dürrenmatt, The Visit (Act I + German-language video)
Week Fourteen: Dürrenmatt, The Visit (Act II + German-language video)
Week Fifteen: Dürrenmatt, The Visit (Act III + German-language video)
Week Sixteen: Summary, wrap-up; preparation for Final Examination