The course requires solid knowledge of the German literature in the Goethe Era, of the European history from the French Revolution to the uprisings of '48, and an intermediate knowledge of the German language.

The course will enable students to acquire the historical and literary framework necessary for correctly contextualizing the works and authors most representative of early 19th-century German literature. The close reading of texts discussed in class aims to further develop interpretative skills and foster independent critical judgment.

The first module ("Module A") of the course is dedicated to an in-depth exploration of the general historical-literary framework of the first half of the 19th century, with particular focus on Romanticism. Through the reading and analysis of literary masterpieces selected for the syllabus, students will have the opportunity to reflect on the concept of Romantic literature and poetry, as well as on Romantic themes such as the idealization of the past, fairy tales, the marvelous, the role of the artist, utopia, and the subversion of the rational order of the world.

The second module ("Module B") will shift the focus to Viennese theatrical production, concentrating on the figure of playwright Franz Grillparzer. This deeper exploration of regional literary output will highlight the distinctive features of Austrian literature of the Vormärz, which was strongly influenced by the political dynamics of the Restoration period.

The third module (“Module C”), which has a theoretical focus, will include a lesson dedicated to exploring the main concepts of narratology and a specific focus on research methodology, serving as a useful guide for writing the (under)graduate thesis.

MODULE A (Literary History)

Required reading:

(A) Michael Dallapiazza, Ulrike Kindl, Storia della Letteratura tedesca, vol. 2: Dal Settecento alla prima guerra mondiale, Laterza, Rome-Bari 2005, pp. 167–224 and pp. 225–268.

***Erasmus students who are not fluent in Italian shall contact the teacher to agree on a different textbook.

In addition, students must choose three texts from the following:

(A) Friedrich Schlegel, Frammenti critici e scritti di estetica, Sansoni, Firenze1967, pp. 47-129, 206-220.

(A) Novalis, Enrico di Ofterdingen, trad. it. di Tommaso Landolfi, Adelphi, Milano 1997, pp. 11-174.

(A) Ludwig Tieck, Il biondo Eckbert, a cura di L. Tofi, Marsilio, Venezia 2009, pp. 3-81.

(A) Joseph von Eichendorff , Vita di un perdigiorno, a cura di G. Schiavoni, tr. it. di Lydia Magliano, Rizzoli, Milano 2020, pp. 45-277.

(A) Ernst T. A. Hoffmann, Il vaso d'oro, in ID., Il vaso d'oro e altri racconti, trad. it. di E. Pocar, intr. di C. Magris, Garzanti, Milano 2005, pp. 97-173.

(A) Ernst T. A. Hoffmann, L'uomo della sabbia, in E.T.A. Hoffmann, L’uomo della sabbia e altri racconti, tr. it. di G. Fraccari, Mondadori, Milano 1987, pp. 25-58 (or subsequent editions).

The recommended editions are indicative and may be replaced with others chosen by the student.

***Erasmus students who are not fluent in Italian may choose either to read the literary texts in their own language or in German.

MODULE B (Monographic Course)

Required reading:

(A) Franz Grillparzer, Medea, a cura di Maddalena Longo, traduzione di Claudio Magris, Marsilio, Venezia 2001, pp. 4-198.

It is also recommended to consult the teacher’s slides presented during the lectures and uploaded on Microsoft Teams.

MODULE C (Literary Theory)

(A) Riccardo Concetti, Narratologia (slide set a cura del docente)

(A) Riccardo Concetti, Come scrivere una tesi di laurea (slide set a cura del docente).

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

Students who do not attend classes are invited to consult the teacher’s slides, available on Teams, and to independently complete the laboratory exercises presented during the course, also accessible on the same platform. In addition, the following readings are recommended for a deeper understanding of the topics covered:

(C) Emilia Fiandra, Il Romanticismo, in Marino Freschi (ed.), Storia della Civiltà letteraria tedesca, UTET, Torino 1998, pp. 437–506.

(C) Alessandra Schininà, Il teatro di Franz Grillparzer, Artemide, Roma 2011, pp. 85–112.

(C) H. Porter Abbott (ed.), The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2002, pp. 73–105.

(C) Fabio Rossi, Come si scrive una tesi di laurea oggi. Guida pratica per tesi, tesine e altri elaborati, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.

FINAL REMARKS:

Summarising, to adequately prepare for the final exam, students must demonstrate:

• a general knowledge of the literary history of the period;
• in-depth reading of four texts: three chosen from those in Module A and the one assigned in Module B;
• proficiency in the tools of narratology and the methods of academic research presented during the course
• careful review of the teaching materials uploaded on Teams.

Students are invited to join the Team: Letteratura e cultura tedesca ii - L-11 - GTc_2024_17653 | General | Microsoft Teams

• The teaching method will be based on critical analysis and will be interactive, alternating brief lectures with discussions, group work, and digital tools. Part of the lessons will be dedicated to a workshop on reading and analyzing literary texts, encouraging interdisciplinary connections and active participation to explore literary and cultural trends.

• The evaluation will be oral in Italian, or in German or English for Erasmus students. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the cultural macro-contexts covered in Module A, basic notions (authors, genres, major works, timelines), and the readings assigned for Module A. 

  For Module A and B, students must demonstrate a general understanding of all texts discussed in class, and an in-depth knowledge of the selected ones, as specified in the Program. Non-attending students will complement their study with the readings indicated.

  
  

  The evaluation will be divided as follows:

  - Knowledge related to the institutional course (35%)

  - Knowledge related to the monographic course (35%)

  - Proper use of language (15%)

  - Independent observation and personal critical analysis (15%).

Courses are also offered in German and English to enable Erasmus students to attend.

English