German Culture Ii
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course analyses several documents (texts, videos, pictures, movies, etc.), in order to highlight some of the most significant features of the culture of German-speaking countries. It pays specific attention to the operations occurred during the building of the national identity, and their influence over contemporary society.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire basics and specific terms about German culture; they will also develop a discriminating attitude towards documents in German, maturing autonomous skills of comprehension, analysis, interpretation and contextualisation of significant cultural phenomena.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Part 1
Kulturen des Kosmopolitismus in der Gegenwart.
The first part presents and analyses the concept of cosmopolitanism focussing on the traditions and mediations as attested in German-speaking countries. Special attention will be given to the present. What does it mean to be Weltbürgerinnen and Weltbürger today? What messages are associated with these figures? What challenges do they represent? Which visions of "living together" do they share in the 21st century?
Part 2
Kosmopolitismus ausleben (und ausstellen). Das Beispiel der Brüder Humboldt im 21. Jahrhundert.
Following the life paths of Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt, the second part will explore and analyse some ways in which the notion of cosmopolitanism has been interpreted in a bi-secular perspective: between past and present. It also analyses the concept of cultural icon, paying attention to its making and development from an intermedial point of view. We will be particularly interested in a series of contemporary cultural projects in the German context (including exhibitions, museums, archives) concentrating on the iconic figures of the Humboldt brothers.
Part 3
Kosmopolitismus und Gegenwartsliteratur.
The third part deals with techniques of representation, appropriation and literary adaptation of cosmopolitanism in contemporary novels. Chiefly best-sellers of the 21st century will be taken into account. Issues of intertextuality, anachronism and intermediality will feature prominently as subjects of discussion (alongside some references to film adaptations).
This syllabus is valid until the February 2021 exam session included.
Kulturen des Kosmopolitismus in der Gegenwart.
The first part presents and analyses the concept of cosmopolitanism focussing on the traditions and mediations as attested in German-speaking countries. Special attention will be given to the present. What does it mean to be Weltbürgerinnen and Weltbürger today? What messages are associated with these figures? What challenges do they represent? Which visions of "living together" do they share in the 21st century?
Part 2
Kosmopolitismus ausleben (und ausstellen). Das Beispiel der Brüder Humboldt im 21. Jahrhundert.
Following the life paths of Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt, the second part will explore and analyse some ways in which the notion of cosmopolitanism has been interpreted in a bi-secular perspective: between past and present. It also analyses the concept of cultural icon, paying attention to its making and development from an intermedial point of view. We will be particularly interested in a series of contemporary cultural projects in the German context (including exhibitions, museums, archives) concentrating on the iconic figures of the Humboldt brothers.
Part 3
Kosmopolitismus und Gegenwartsliteratur.
The third part deals with techniques of representation, appropriation and literary adaptation of cosmopolitanism in contemporary novels. Chiefly best-sellers of the 21st century will be taken into account. Issues of intertextuality, anachronism and intermediality will feature prominently as subjects of discussion (alongside some references to film adaptations).
This syllabus is valid until the February 2021 exam session included.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic/intermediate knowledge of German.
Teaching methods
The course will be based on lectures held in Italian. It also includes debate and collective discussions in class. Students will be encouraged to actively engage in the activities. Texts and sources in German.
Teaching Resources
Part 1
Primary texts, in the parts selected, will be indicated and made available by the lecturer during the course.
Initial bibliography:
- Peter Coulmas, Weltbürger. Geschichte einer Menschheitssehnsucht. Reinbek bei Hamburg: Rowohlt Repertoire, 2018 (p. 41-54, 59-63, 72-88, 333-386, and 430-467).
- Andrea Albrecht, Kosmopolitismus. Weltbürgerdiskurse in Literatur, Philosophie und Publizistik um 1800. Berlin/New York, NY: de Gruyter, 2005 (p. 22-38, 55-61, and 391-405).
Part 2
- Politica, scienze e cosmopolitismo. Alexander e Wilhelm von Humboldt. A cura di Corrado Malandrino. Milano: Franco Angeli, 1997 (esp. p. 9-18, 181-193 and 256-277).
- Wilhelm und Alexander von Humboldt. Berliner Kosmos. Hg. v. Paul Spies, Ute Tintemann, Jan Mende. Köln: Wienand, 2019 (esp. p. 11-33, 83-87, 123-127 and 149-151).
- Wilhelm und Alexander von Humboldt. Hg. v. David Blankenstein, Bénédicte Savoy, Raphael Gross, Arnulf Scriba für das Deutsche Historische Museum. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 2019 (esp. p. 9-21, 35-41, 55-64, 103-138 and 171-190).
- Memoria e saperi. Percorsi transdisciplinari. A cura di Elena Agazzi e Vita Fortunati. Roma: Meltemi, 2007 (esp. p. 9-26, 275-286 and 359-374).
Part 3
- Felicitas Hoppe, Verbrecher und Versager. Fünf Porträts. Taschenbuch-Ausgabe. Frankfurt am Main: Fischer, 2006 (first edition: 2004).
- Daniel Kehlmann, Die Vermessung der Welt. Reinbek bei Hamburg: Rowohlt, 2005; trad. it. di Paola Olivieri, La misura del mondo. Milano: Feltrinelli, 2006.
- Ilija Trojanow, Der Weltensammler. Roman. München: Hanser, 2006; trad. it. di Umberto Gandini, Il collezionista di mondi. Milano: Ponte alle Grazie, 2007.
- Christoph Ransmayr, Cox oder Der Lauf der Zeit. Roman. Frankfurt am Main: Fischer, 2016; trad. it. di Margherita Carbonaro, Cox o Il corso del tempo. Milano: Feltrinelli, 2018.
Selected passages from the original will be presented and discussed in class. In addition to the knowledge of the selected passages, each student is required to read (in full length) at least one of the four novels as listed above (in original and / or in translation).
Recommended introductory readings:
- Chiara M. Buglioni, Marco Castellari, Alessandra Goggio, Moira Paleari, Letteratura tedesca. Epoche, generi, intersezioni. Dal primo dopoguerra al nuovo millennio. Milano: Mondadori Education, 2019, p. 427-466.
- Raul Calzoni, La letteratura tedesca contemporanea. L'età della divisione e della riunificazione. Roma: Carocci editore, 2018, p. 169-244.
Primary texts, in the parts selected, will be indicated and made available by the lecturer during the course.
Initial bibliography:
- Peter Coulmas, Weltbürger. Geschichte einer Menschheitssehnsucht. Reinbek bei Hamburg: Rowohlt Repertoire, 2018 (p. 41-54, 59-63, 72-88, 333-386, and 430-467).
- Andrea Albrecht, Kosmopolitismus. Weltbürgerdiskurse in Literatur, Philosophie und Publizistik um 1800. Berlin/New York, NY: de Gruyter, 2005 (p. 22-38, 55-61, and 391-405).
Part 2
- Politica, scienze e cosmopolitismo. Alexander e Wilhelm von Humboldt. A cura di Corrado Malandrino. Milano: Franco Angeli, 1997 (esp. p. 9-18, 181-193 and 256-277).
- Wilhelm und Alexander von Humboldt. Berliner Kosmos. Hg. v. Paul Spies, Ute Tintemann, Jan Mende. Köln: Wienand, 2019 (esp. p. 11-33, 83-87, 123-127 and 149-151).
- Wilhelm und Alexander von Humboldt. Hg. v. David Blankenstein, Bénédicte Savoy, Raphael Gross, Arnulf Scriba für das Deutsche Historische Museum. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 2019 (esp. p. 9-21, 35-41, 55-64, 103-138 and 171-190).
- Memoria e saperi. Percorsi transdisciplinari. A cura di Elena Agazzi e Vita Fortunati. Roma: Meltemi, 2007 (esp. p. 9-26, 275-286 and 359-374).
Part 3
- Felicitas Hoppe, Verbrecher und Versager. Fünf Porträts. Taschenbuch-Ausgabe. Frankfurt am Main: Fischer, 2006 (first edition: 2004).
- Daniel Kehlmann, Die Vermessung der Welt. Reinbek bei Hamburg: Rowohlt, 2005; trad. it. di Paola Olivieri, La misura del mondo. Milano: Feltrinelli, 2006.
- Ilija Trojanow, Der Weltensammler. Roman. München: Hanser, 2006; trad. it. di Umberto Gandini, Il collezionista di mondi. Milano: Ponte alle Grazie, 2007.
- Christoph Ransmayr, Cox oder Der Lauf der Zeit. Roman. Frankfurt am Main: Fischer, 2016; trad. it. di Margherita Carbonaro, Cox o Il corso del tempo. Milano: Feltrinelli, 2018.
Selected passages from the original will be presented and discussed in class. In addition to the knowledge of the selected passages, each student is required to read (in full length) at least one of the four novels as listed above (in original and / or in translation).
Recommended introductory readings:
- Chiara M. Buglioni, Marco Castellari, Alessandra Goggio, Moira Paleari, Letteratura tedesca. Epoche, generi, intersezioni. Dal primo dopoguerra al nuovo millennio. Milano: Mondadori Education, 2019, p. 427-466.
- Raul Calzoni, La letteratura tedesca contemporanea. L'età della divisione e della riunificazione. Roma: Carocci editore, 2018, p. 169-244.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Exam methods for attending students: the exam is divided into two parts: 1) written test (multiple choice questions and a short text) relating to teaching units 1 and 2 and 2) oral exam (at least 3 open questions aimed at assessing the knowledge of course contents and the quality of presentation) relating in particular to teaching unit 3. Final grading on a 30-point scale (0-17=fail).
Exam methods for non-attending students: oral exam (at least three open questions for each teaching unit aimed at assessing the knowledge of course contents and the quality of the presentation) relating to all 3 teaching units of the course. Final grading on a 30-point scale (0-17=fail).
The course program is the same for attending and non-attending students. Non-attending students are kindly requested to contact the lecturer in order to receive further information on how to prepare for the exam (please write an e-mail to [email protected])
Exam methods for non-attending students: oral exam (at least three open questions for each teaching unit aimed at assessing the knowledge of course contents and the quality of the presentation) relating to all 3 teaching units of the course. Final grading on a 30-point scale (0-17=fail).
The course program is the same for attending and non-attending students. Non-attending students are kindly requested to contact the lecturer in order to receive further information on how to prepare for the exam (please write an e-mail to [email protected])
Teaching Unit 1
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Teaching Unit 2
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Teaching Unit 3
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours