Unit information: Voices of Dissent in Austrian Literature in 2009/10

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Unit name Voices of Dissent in Austrian Literature
Unit code GERM22042
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Allinson
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of German
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will explore key aspects of modern Austria such as Vergangenheitsbew�ltigung (coming to terms with the Nazi past), the city/province dialectic and the role of women, and their representation within the works of Bernhard, Handke and Jelinek. Making use of historical analyses and contemporary sources (newspaper articles, photographs, video clips etc.), this unit will enable students to situate the texts within their historico-political context, allowing a greater understanding of the complex relationship between literature and politics in the Second Republic. This unit will be assessed by a combination student presentations followed by seminar discussions. Occasional group-work assignments in preparation for seminars.

Aims:

  • To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to second year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.
  • To facilitate students engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.
  • To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level C.
  • Some options may prepare students for the experience of the Year Abroad.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will:

  • be knowledgeable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;
  • be skilled in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;
  • be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at a high level;
  • be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an high level of complexity;
  • be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including study at a foreign university and on work placements during the year abroad.

Teaching Information

Set Texts: Thomas Bernhard, Heldenplatz (1988); Peter Handke, Wunschloses Ungl�ck (1972); Elfriede Jelinek, Die Liebhaberinnen (1975) and Burgtheater (1985).

Bibliography: Bischof, G�nther and Anton Pelinka (eds), Austrian Historical Memory and National Identity (New Jersey: Transaction, 1997) Konzett, Matthias, The Rhetoric of National Dissent in Thomas Bernhard, Peter Handke and Elfriede Jelinek (Rochester: Camden House, 2000) Menasse, Robert, Das war �sterreich (Frankfurt a. M.: Suhrkamp, 2005)

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