20th Century Literature of the German Speaking Countries

Based on literary texts of various lengths the course explores issues of cultural and historical importance as reflected in literature from 1945 to the present. The course aims at extensive classroom discussions, creative writing assignments of increasing difficulty, and students' presentations on different literary topics. The course also incorporates audio-visual materials as they relate to an understanding of Germany from 1945 onward.

Required texts: Heinrich Böll: Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum (dtv); Tanja Dückers: Spielzone (Aufbau Taschenbuch Verlag); Jenny Erpenbeck: Heimsuchung (btb-Verlag); Bernhard Schlink: Der Vorleser (Diogenes Verlag)