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Syllabus The Future of the Fragment. Small forms from Romantisicm to 21st century - 32811
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Last update 20-09-2017
HU Credits: 2

Degree/Cycle: 2nd degree (Master)

Responsible Department: german, russian & east european studies

Semester: 1st Semester

Teaching Languages: German

Campus: Mt. Scopus

Course/Module Coordinator: Prof Birgit Erdle

Coordinator Email: birgiterdle@aol.com

Coordinator Office Hours: Monday, 14.30 – 16.00 and by appointment

Teaching Staff:
Prof Birgit Erdle

Course/Module description:
In the rhetoric of classical antiquity small forms were common place, while small forms of writing in Modernity encompass philosophical thought prose and experimental short prose, from Friedrich Schlegel's fragments (end of 18th century) and Friedrich Nietzsche's aphorisms (end of 19th century) to Robert Musil’s essayism and Franz Kafka's notebooks (early 20th century). Kafka's concept of “minor literature” still exerts a considerable pull politically. It is used in the context of "minor" forms of every description (Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari), which differ from predominant forms, express dissident positions, or are tainted with the stigma of being inferior.
The course will introduce the literary history and epistemology of small forms.
Primary literature will be read in German and English, and, if available, in Hebrew.

Course/Module aims:
The course will give an introduction to the literary history and epistemology of small forms
in modernity (18th to 21st century) in german language literature and theory

Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Improve German language skills
Be familiar with certain poetological concepts and poetic forms such as fragment, short prose, aphorism, note, snapshot, small form, minor literature, and their historical context
Interpret primary texts and critically evaluate arguments in secondary texts
Reflect on methodological problems in analyzing literary texts
Reflect on contemporary short, fragmented or dispersed forms of writing in a broader historical and theoretical perspective

Attendance requirements(%):
80 %

Teaching arrangement and method of instruction: 2 hours seminar
student presentations

Course/Module Content:
small forms of writing in modernity encompass philosophical thought prose and experimental short prose, from Friedrich Schlegel's fragments (end of 18th century) and Friedrich Nietzsche's aphorisms (end of 19th century) to Robert Musil’s essayism and Franz Kafka's notebooks (early 20th century). Kafka's concept of “minor literature” still exerts a considerable pull politically. It is used in the context of "minor" forms of every description (Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari), which differ from predominant forms, express dissident positions, or are tainted with the stigma of being inferior.
The course will introduce the literary history and epistemology of small forms.
Primary literature will be read in German and English, and, if available, in Hebrew.

Required Reading:
primary and secondary literature will be provided in class

Additional Reading Material:

Course/Module evaluation:
End of year written/oral examination 0 %
Presentation 40 %
Participation in Tutorials 0 %
Project work 30 %
Assignments 0 %
Reports 0 %
Research project 0 %
Quizzes 0 %
Other 30 %
Activity in seminar discussion

Additional information:
 
Students needing academic accommodations based on a disability should contact the Center for Diagnosis and Support of Students with Learning Disabilities, or the Office for Students with Disabilities, as early as possible, to discuss and coordinate accommodations, based on relevant documentation.
For further information, please visit the site of the Dean of Students Office.
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