Deutsch 350 - University of Puget Sound

Deutsch 350
Liebe und Tod in der älteren deutschen Literatur
Love and Death in Early German Literature
Herbstsemester 2014
David F. Tinsley
University of Puget Sound
The Study of Literature: A Manifesto
Why study German literature when we could be doing something practical, such as experimenting on
cute, furry little animals or learning how to market deodorant in Aleppo?
The critical mind's encounter with literature is valuable in and of itself, opening worlds beyond
imagining. Through literature anything is possible. Travel through space and time! Lose yourself in the
void or give your regards to God!
The experience of literature is essential to a liberal arts education. Whether you are a philosopher or a
physicist, a musician or a therapist, without literature your humanity will remain in a fetal state.
For those wishing to live and work abroad after graduation: I cannot stress enough the importance of
cultural literacy (Bildung) for interaction with educated professionals in Europe, whether in business,
science, law, or medicine. Familiarity with cultural and literary history is assumed in such circles.
Note to the vocationally minded: The study of literature will prepare you to read texts intelligently, to
analyze structure and content, and to communicate your findings coherently to others. No skills will be
of more practical value to you, no matter what profession you choose.
INSTRUCTOR:
DAVID F. TINSLEY
Office: Wyatt 242 Office Tel.: x3266
Office Hours:
MW 13:00 – 13:50
TTh 15:30-16:20 PM
and by appt.
TEXTS :
Heiligenlegenden des Mittelalters (on-line)
Hartmann von Aue, Der arme Heinrich
Johannes von Tepl, Der Ackermann aus Böhmen
Immanuel Kant, Was ist Aufklärung?(on-line)
Gotthold E. Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm (on-line)
J.W. von Goethe Die Leiden des jungen Werther
Bettina von Arnim, Die Günderode, Das Armenbuch (on-line)
Heinrich von Kleist, Das Erdbeben in Chile
FORMAL MEETINGS:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00-3:15 PM
Das Feingedruckte
Format: Our format presupposes a mixture of lectures and discussion. Class will be conducted in German. Because of the
range in proficiency, I shall correct mistakes only to further communication. Preparation: Learning is always a cooperative
enterprise, but especially in a seminar. Interpretation begins with meticulous reading. You can best prepare for our sessions
through careful reading of the assignment and familiarity with plot, characters, and themes. I provide study questions and
readings in secondary literature to help focus your preparation. If you were unable to complete the assignment, please tell me
before class begins. Tools for Reading and Discussion: We shall work on advanced reading skills for foreign language, with
an eye to acquiring the vocabulary and style of German literary discourse. Please make extensive use of our "On-Line Glossary
of Literary Terms." Contexts for Discussion: Socio-historical influences: We shall study the societies in which our authors
wrote so as to understand their texts better. Intellectual History: We shall discuss our texts using key concepts of ontology,
ethics, epistemology, and eschatology that inform all literature. Literary History: Literary historians classify literature
according to authorial intention, genre, and themes, and authors. We shall learn some categories of literary history and then
see how authors like Kleist and Bettina von Arnim expose their limitations. Grades: Consult your 2014-2015 Student Handbook
on-line for essential information regarding the University grading system (http://www.pugetsound.edu/student-life/personal-safety/studenthandbook/academic-handbook/grade-information-and-policy/) and the Student Integrity Code (http://www.pugetsound.edu/studentlife/personal-safety/student-handbook/student-integrity-code/). Class participation: Attendance is mandatory and your presence
during class is required. (Frequent breaks will be provided.) If illness strikes or if you must be absent because of official
university activities such as sports or forensics, you are responsible for notifying me in advance and getting notes from a
classmate. After you have looked at the notes, you are welcome to bring any questions you may have to office hours. Your
class participation grade will reflect my subjective assessment of how much you further our cooperative enterprise. At
midterms each student will receive a brief, written evaluation of class participation. Percentage of Grade: 25%. Preparation:
You will post a written response in German to each reading in Moodle. References to themes raised in reserve reading or to
points from my lectures or from our discussions are especially welcome. Answers to study questions, exercises in the
vocabulary of literary discourse, and WWW exercises may be substituted for this writing. Percentage of Grade: 20%. Five
Written Assignments: ASSIGNMENT 1: Disputatio ASSIGNMENT 2: Begegnung mit dem Tod ASSIGNMENT 3: Skizze
der Argumentation Length: 3-5 pages. Format: In German, typed or computer-generated according to MLA, Chicago Style
Manual or DVjs guidelines. ASSIGNMENT 4: Analyse einer Sekundärquelle. Length: 1-2 pages. Format: In German, typed
or computer-generated according to MLA, Chicago Style Manual or DVjs guidelines. ASSIGNMENT 5: Hausarbeit (topic to
be chosen in consultation with the professor and theses developed by the student, in which the critical operations of
Assignments 3 and 4 are combined. The paper must have a thesis and should reflect significant interaction with secondary
sources) or Klausur (three topics, each to be developed into a Fragestellung and explored by reference to secondary sources.
Percentage of Grade: Assignment 1 (7%); Assignment 2 (8%); Assignment 3: 9%; Assignment 4: 10%; Hausarbeit / Klausur
(21%). GERMAN CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Participation in conversation hour, the film series, or cultural
programs earns German bonus points redeemable for extra credit!!!
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Disabilities
If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course
work, please contact Peggy Perno, Director of the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation,
105 Howarth, 253.879.3395. She will determine with you what accommodations are necessary
and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.
Student Bereavement Policy
“Upon approval from the Dean of Students’ Office, students who experience a death in the
family, including parent, grandparent, sibling, or persons living in the same household, are
allowed three consecutive weekdays of excused absences, as negotiated with the Dean of
Students’. For more information, please see the Academic Handbook.”
Responding to Threats of Mass Violence on Campus
In event of a violent act or behavior on or near campus, Security Services may initiate a campus
lockdown through an all-campus Security Alert message and/or Wide Area Broadcast towers.
What you should do:
• Lock doors and windows of the room you occupy. Close window blinds and turn off
lights.
• Assist others to seek shelter.
• Stay low to the floor and away from doors and windows. Generally it is safest near the
hallway wall.
• Avoid gathering together in groups. Try to remain calm and quiet. Silence cellular
telephones.
• Wait for instructions from uniformed police or security staff.
• If outdoors, go immediately to the nearest building and follow the instructions above.
What others will do:
• Secure external campus building doors.
• Activate emergency response coordination according to circumstances.
• Facilitate law enforcement and emergency medical aid response to campus.
• Communicate with the campus community and media.
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Lehrplan des Semesters
Seminarsitzungen
Themen
2. September
Empfang. Einführung in die
Methoden der
Literaturwissenschaft
Mentalitäten des Mittelalters:
Heiligenlegenden
Literatur des deutschen
Mittelalters: Hartmann von Aue,
Der arme Heinrich
Der Humanismus und die Prager
Renaissance
Johannes von Tepl, Der
Ackermann und der Tod
Die Aufklärung:
Immanuel Kant, Was ist
Aufklärung
G. Lichtenberg, Aphorismen
Literatur der Aufklärung: G.E.
Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm
17. – 21. Oktober: Die.Herbstferien
4. September
9. -11. September
16. - 23. September
25. – 30. September
2. – 16. Oktober
23. Oktober– 11. November
13. – 25. November
Aufgaben und Termine
Literatur des Sturm und Drang
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Die
Leiden des jungen Werther
Protofeministische Literatur:
Bettina von Arnim, Die Günderode
11. Sept.: Disputatio
23. Sept.: Begegnung mit dem
Tod
16. Okt.: Lessingaufgabe
6. November.: Aufarbeitung
einer Sekundärquelle
25. November: Hausarbeit oder
Klausur wählen; Thema der
Hausarbeit wählen
26. – 30. November: Die Thanksgivingsferien
2. – 4. Dezember
Literatur der Protomoderne:
Heinrich von Kleist, Das Erdbeben
in Chile
8. Dezember: Fragestellung
und Skizze der Argumentation
9. Dezember
Beratung
15. Dez.: Erste Fassung der
Hausarbeit
19. Dez.: Abgabetermin der
Hausarbeit
Please note:
Unauthorized use of electronic devices during class earns the user a grade of "F" for the day.
Changes in the schedule initiated by students require the instructor's approval and must affect all
participants. Please plan vacations and book flights accordingly.
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