Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information
for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
German Expressionist Drama |
| Unit code |
GERM32064 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Vilain |
| 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 study the dramatic writings of a range of authors from the politically and aesthetically turbulent and experimental period known as ‘German Expressionism’ (c. 1909-1925). Alongside a selection of short texts of a theoretical or programmatic nature, it will focus on works by the most famous dramatists of the period, including Oskar Kokoschka, Georg Kaiser, Ernst Toller, Reinhard Sorge, Walter Hasenclever and Hans Henny Jahn. The course will explore the distinctive, anti-mimetic, anti-illusionist nature of Expressionism and situate the drama of the movement between its predecessors (Strindberg, Wedekind) and its immediate heirs (Brecht).
Intended Learning Outcomes
- To introduce students to canonical and non-canonical works from a period of literary and cultural history in Germany widely regarded as of great significance
- To introduce students to a range of dramatic and theoretical writings in this period in the original language
- To provide students with the necessary tools for analysing and reading exemplary drama of the modern period both with regard to content and form
- To develop skills of interpreting literary materials in the context of historical and political development
- To develop students’ abilities to research and use secondary literature for supporting historical discussion and argument
- To develop essay-writing skills including literary analysis, close reading and historical contexualization.
Teaching Information
Lecture and Seminars
Assessment Information
One of the following:
a) A written assignment of 3000 words and a two hour exam (50% each)
b) A written assignment of 3000 words (25%) and a three hour exam (75%)
c) One written assignment of 6000 words (or equivalent)
d) Two written assignments of 3000 words (50% each)
e) One oral presentation (25%) plus one written assignment of 1500 words (25%) plus one written assignment of 3000 words (50%)
Reading and References
- Otto F. Best (ed.) Theorie des Expressionismus, UB 9817 (Stuttgart: Reclam, 1982)
- Stephen Eric Bronner, & Douglas Kellner (edd.), Passion and Rebellion: The Expressionist Heritage (New York: Columbia University Press, 1988)
- Raymond Furness, Expressionism, The Critical Idiom, 29 (London: Methuen 1973)
- Donald E. Gordon, Expressionism: Art and Idea (New Haven & London: Yale U.P., 1987)
- Wolfgang Rothe (ed.), Expressionismus als Literatur: Gesammelte Studien (Bern & Munich: Franke, 1969)
- John Willett, Expressionism (London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1970)
