German Literature (MA)
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
After a broad chronological overview of the most important moments and authors of the history of German literature from the 18th century to the present day has been provided during the bachelor studies, the present master course focuses on specific problems and moments in German literature with the aim of deepening the topics covered through a rigorous textual analysis in order to teach students the fundamental tools of literary hermeneutics.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: The course aims to provide students with an overview of the modern philosophical-hermeneutical debate on the narrativity of historiography and therefore also on the fictionality of autobiography and testimony. The results of this discussion will then be applied to the analysis of some paradigmatic works of German Holocaust literature.
Applying knowledge and understanding: The in-depth analysis of the formal characteristics and content of the works examined aims to provide the tools and methodological skills of literary analysis.
Applying knowledge and understanding: The in-depth analysis of the formal characteristics and content of the works examined aims to provide the tools and methodological skills of literary analysis.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is titled Identity Thieves: from false testimony to testimony as fiction in German literature on the Shoah and is divided into the following three teaching units, which will be addressed in sequence:
A: The paradoxes of testimony: invention of identity and false testimony (Wilkomirski).
B: Identity stealing and identity loss (Stein; Koeppen)
C: Change of identity: testimony as invention (Hilsenrath)
Students who intend to acquire 6 credits will adhere to the program of units A and B; students who intend to acquire 9 credits will follow the full program (units A, B and C).
In the era of fake news and "post-truth" it is necessary to reflect also on the truth value of historical testimony and more particularly of the testimony of the Shoah. The course therefore deals with the complex relationship between the fictional nature of the testimony and the testimonial value of literary fiction. The works being analyzed are in two cases testimonies - true or false - of the Shoah, and in three other cases novels, namely fictions on the Shoah. The red thread that unites these works is represented by identity theft and therefore by false testimony: in two cases the topic is the subject of literary representation (Die Leinwand, by Benjamin Stein and Der Nazi & der Friseur, by Edgar Hilsenrath), while on two other occasions it is the author himself who who through writing has appropriated an identity that does not belong to him (Bruchstücke, by Binjamin Wilkomirski and Jakob Littners Aufzeichungen aus einem Erdloch, by Wolfgang Koeppen).
The course program is valid until February 2021.
A: The paradoxes of testimony: invention of identity and false testimony (Wilkomirski).
B: Identity stealing and identity loss (Stein; Koeppen)
C: Change of identity: testimony as invention (Hilsenrath)
Students who intend to acquire 6 credits will adhere to the program of units A and B; students who intend to acquire 9 credits will follow the full program (units A, B and C).
In the era of fake news and "post-truth" it is necessary to reflect also on the truth value of historical testimony and more particularly of the testimony of the Shoah. The course therefore deals with the complex relationship between the fictional nature of the testimony and the testimonial value of literary fiction. The works being analyzed are in two cases testimonies - true or false - of the Shoah, and in three other cases novels, namely fictions on the Shoah. The red thread that unites these works is represented by identity theft and therefore by false testimony: in two cases the topic is the subject of literary representation (Die Leinwand, by Benjamin Stein and Der Nazi & der Friseur, by Edgar Hilsenrath), while on two other occasions it is the author himself who who through writing has appropriated an identity that does not belong to him (Bruchstücke, by Binjamin Wilkomirski and Jakob Littners Aufzeichungen aus einem Erdloch, by Wolfgang Koeppen).
The course program is valid until February 2021.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is held entirely in German, the examination documents and the bibliography require solid language skills, knowledge of literary history, the ability to use critical terms and to apply the critical analysis acquired in previous courses.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures; reading and commenting on excerpts from the works on the program; viewing, listening and commenting on audio and video material found online.
Teaching Resources
The course has a site on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://acostazzalt.ariel.ctu.unimi.it) which can be consulted for educational materials to download in PDF format. For each teaching unit, specific critical essays on individual works or authors or on general questions will be made available on the site.
Below are indicated the critical and narrative works of mandatory reading for the various teaching units and the reference editions.
Teaching unit A
Binjamin Wilkomirski, Bruchstücke. Aus einer Kindheit 1939-1948, Frankfurt a.M. 1998 (photocopies in ARIEL)
Teaching unit B
Jakob Littner, Mein Weg durch die Nacht. Berlin 2002 (photocopies in ARIEL);
Wolfgang Koeppen, Jakob Littners Aufzeichnungen aus einem Erdloch. Frankfurt a.M. 1992;
Benjamin Stein, Die Leinwand. München 2011.
Teaching unit C
Edgar Hilsenrath, Der Nazi & der Friseur. München 2006.
Secondary literature
A. Costazza, Ladri di identità. Dalla falsa testimonianza alla testimonianza come finzione nella letteratura tedesca della Shoah. Milano 2019 (ISBN 978-88-5755-225-5)
A. Costazza, Wolfgang Koeppens Verarbeitung von Jakob Littners Memoiren. Von einer metaphysischen zu einer existentialistischen Perspektive. In: Treibhaus. Jahrbuch für die Literatur der fünfziger Jahre. Herausgegeben von Günter Häntzschel, Ulrike Leuschner, Roland Ulrich. Band 2 (2006): Wolfgang Koeppen 1906-1996, pp. 259-301;
A. Costazza, Benjamin Steins Die Leinwand oder über die (Un-)Möglichkeit (auto)biographischen Schreibens, in: Astrid Arndt, Christoph Deupmann, Lars Korten (Hg.,) Logik der Prosa. Zur Poetizität ungebundener Rede.Göttingen 2012, pp. 301-333.
A. Costazza, Der »Fall Wilkomirski«: Shoah-Kitsch als Ergebnis von Lesermanipulation. In: P. E. Kofler, U. Stadler (Hg.), Lesen, schreiben, edieren. Über den Umgang mit Literatur, Frankfurt a.M. 2016, pp. 212-239.
Directions for non-attending students
The program for non-attending students is unchanged from that for attending students. Given the greater difficulties deriving from a preparation conducted independently, non-attending students are required to read the volume of A. Costazza Ladri di identità.
Below are indicated the critical and narrative works of mandatory reading for the various teaching units and the reference editions.
Teaching unit A
Binjamin Wilkomirski, Bruchstücke. Aus einer Kindheit 1939-1948, Frankfurt a.M. 1998 (photocopies in ARIEL)
Teaching unit B
Jakob Littner, Mein Weg durch die Nacht. Berlin 2002 (photocopies in ARIEL);
Wolfgang Koeppen, Jakob Littners Aufzeichnungen aus einem Erdloch. Frankfurt a.M. 1992;
Benjamin Stein, Die Leinwand. München 2011.
Teaching unit C
Edgar Hilsenrath, Der Nazi & der Friseur. München 2006.
Secondary literature
A. Costazza, Ladri di identità. Dalla falsa testimonianza alla testimonianza come finzione nella letteratura tedesca della Shoah. Milano 2019 (ISBN 978-88-5755-225-5)
A. Costazza, Wolfgang Koeppens Verarbeitung von Jakob Littners Memoiren. Von einer metaphysischen zu einer existentialistischen Perspektive. In: Treibhaus. Jahrbuch für die Literatur der fünfziger Jahre. Herausgegeben von Günter Häntzschel, Ulrike Leuschner, Roland Ulrich. Band 2 (2006): Wolfgang Koeppen 1906-1996, pp. 259-301;
A. Costazza, Benjamin Steins Die Leinwand oder über die (Un-)Möglichkeit (auto)biographischen Schreibens, in: Astrid Arndt, Christoph Deupmann, Lars Korten (Hg.,) Logik der Prosa. Zur Poetizität ungebundener Rede.Göttingen 2012, pp. 301-333.
A. Costazza, Der »Fall Wilkomirski«: Shoah-Kitsch als Ergebnis von Lesermanipulation. In: P. E. Kofler, U. Stadler (Hg.), Lesen, schreiben, edieren. Über den Umgang mit Literatur, Frankfurt a.M. 2016, pp. 212-239.
Directions for non-attending students
The program for non-attending students is unchanged from that for attending students. Given the greater difficulties deriving from a preparation conducted independently, non-attending students are required to read the volume of A. Costazza Ladri di identità.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between the teacher and the student, and the analysis and commentary of one or more excerpts from the works in the program. The interview has a variable duration depending on the teaching units on which the student is presented, and takes place (at the student's choice) in German or Italian. The interview aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works, the ability in the exposition, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the capacity for critical and personal reflection on the proposed themes. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, and the student has the right to refuse it (in this case it will be verbalized as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/13 - GERMAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours