Syllabus - Culture in Germany after Nazism - Literary and Philosophical reflections 1944-1966 (32803)

Syllabus Culture in Germany after Nazism - Literary and Philosophical reflections 1944-1966 - 32803
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Last update 21-08-2017
HU Credits: 2 Degree/Cycle: 2nd degree (Master) Responsible Department: german, russian & east european studies Semester: 1st Semester Teaching Languages: English Campus: Mt. Scopus Course/Module Coordinator: Prof Birgit Erdle Coordinator Email: birgiterdle@aol.com Coordinator Office Hours: Monday, 14:30-16:00 Teaching Staff: Prof Birgit Erdle Course/Module description: In 1944, whilst living in exile in the USA, the philosopher, sociologist and musical theorist Theodor W. Adorno noted: “The idea that after this war life will continue ‘normally’ or even that culture might be ‘rebuilt’ – as if the rebuilding of culture were not already its negation – is idiotic.” This remark goes directly to the centre of the question we shall be concerned with in this seminar. We shall read fundamental literary and philosophical texts that deal with the intrinsic links between Nazism and culture – or, which, on the contrary, attempt to deny these connections – in order to come to terms with the horror of the mass murders committed under Nazism. Apart from essays by Theodor W. Adorno – which frequently were first broadcast by German radio – we are going to study and discuss texts by, among others, Siegfried Kracauer, Gottfried Benn, Hans Fallada, Heinrich Böll, Jean Amery, Hannah Arendt, and Paul Celan. Course/Module aims: the course intends to make students familiar with seminal essayistic, literary and philosophical works which deal with the idea/question of "rebuilding culture" in Germany after 1945 Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: know and critically analyze some of the key texts of important thinkers in 20th century; explain various aspects of intellectual history post 1945 in Germany; discuss different views on how Nazism and German culture are interrelated; discuss different concepts of memory and of the aftermath of Nazism in Germany Attendance requirements(%): 80 Teaching arrangement and method of instruction: seminar discussion reading reports student presentations Course/Module Content: close reading of exemplary texts (in english) of important authors in 20th century, such as Theodor W. Adorno, Siegfried Kracauer, Gottfried Benn, Hans Fallada, Heinrich Böll, Hannah Arendt, Paul Celan, Jean Amery Required Reading: All primary texts and secondary literature will be provided Additional Reading Material: Course/Module evaluation: End of year written/oral examination 0 % Presentation 30 % Participation in Tutorials 0 % Project work 35 % Assignments 0 % Reports 0 % Research project 0 % Quizzes 0 % Other 35 % Activity in seminar discussion Additional information:

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