German Literature
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The German Literature course for the Master's degree is a specialisation compared to the German Literature subjects of the Bachelor's degree and is crucial to improve cultural competence in German literature and sharpen one's critical spirit. After having provided a broad chronological overview of the main moments and authors in the history of German literature from the 18th century to the present day over the course of the B.A., this course, taught entirely in German and thus also suitable for enhancing language skills, deepen specific issues and moments in German literature through rigorous textual analysis and critical interpretation. The lessons also demonstrate an innovative character thanks to the focus on both teacher-student interaction and autonomous production, offering the possibility of mastering complex textual analysis tools and methodological skills of literary analysis useful not only in the context of formation and professionalisation as a Germanist.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and skills: Students are expected to be familiar with the historical and literary context of the works considered and to be able to understand texts (dramatic, narrative and poetic) in German in order to analyse critically and interpret them in their connections with the historical, cultural and artistic frame of reference. They must also deepen their knowledge of the theoretical tools that enable them to analyse literary texts, so as to show, in the course of the lessons and during the exam, autonomy and critical capacity in commenting on the works taken into consideration.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Course title: Modern and Contemporary German Literature and its Intermedial Approaches
The course consists of the following parts:
Part A (20 hours, 3 ects):
Theorien und Modelle der Intermedialität
Part B (20 ore, 3 ects):
Bildbeschreibungen in Lyrik und Prosa
Parte C (20 ore, 3 ects):
Literaturverfilmungen und Biopics
The course, which is held in German, is intended for students of the Master's Degree in European and Extra-European Languages and Literature and provides 6 or 9 ects; for the 6 ects exam, the student will take part A and one of the other parts (B or C) of his or her choice; for the 9 ects exam, the student will take the complete programme. The course programme is valid until Februar 2028.
Course presentation
The course aims to provide a historical and theoretical-methodological introduction to intermediality, understood as the union of different artistic languages (literature and figurative arts, comics, photography). The second part is devoted to the phenomenon of ekphrasis in German-language fiction and poetry; the third part deals with film adaptations of literary texts and biopics, with a particular focus on modern and contemporary German literature.
The course consists of the following parts:
Part A (20 hours, 3 ects):
Theorien und Modelle der Intermedialität
Part B (20 ore, 3 ects):
Bildbeschreibungen in Lyrik und Prosa
Parte C (20 ore, 3 ects):
Literaturverfilmungen und Biopics
The course, which is held in German, is intended for students of the Master's Degree in European and Extra-European Languages and Literature and provides 6 or 9 ects; for the 6 ects exam, the student will take part A and one of the other parts (B or C) of his or her choice; for the 9 ects exam, the student will take the complete programme. The course programme is valid until Februar 2028.
Course presentation
The course aims to provide a historical and theoretical-methodological introduction to intermediality, understood as the union of different artistic languages (literature and figurative arts, comics, photography). The second part is devoted to the phenomenon of ekphrasis in German-language fiction and poetry; the third part deals with film adaptations of literary texts and biopics, with a particular focus on modern and contemporary German literature.
Prerequisites for admission
Lectures, activities in class, learning materials and exams are in German so that students are supposed to have at least a linguistic competence of level B2.
Teaching methods
The course, which is held in German, adopts the following teaching methods: class teaching on theory and history of intermediality in its relation to literature; seminar discussion on intermedial texts, works of visual art, films etc., paper presentations.
Teaching Resources
Bibliographical References:
Unit A:
- Rajewsky, Irina O., Intermedialität, Tübingen und Basel, A. Francke, 2002.
- Werner, Wolf, Intermedialität, in: Metzler Lexikon der Kulturtheorie und Kulturwissenschaften, hrsg. von A. Nünning, Stuttgart, Weimar, 2005, S. 83-85.
- Wirth, Uwe, Intermedialität, in: Handbuch Literaturwissenschaft, hrsg. von Th. Anz, Stuttgart, Weimar, 2007, S. 254-264.
Unit B:
- Reader 2026-2027 (myAriel)
- Key resources on the topic (myAriel).
Unit C:
- Heinrich Böll, Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum, München 1976ff. (ISBN: 978-3-423-01150-1)
- Verfilmung Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum (1975)
- Biopics (Rilke: Paula, 2016; Kafka, 2024).
Non-attending students should read Robert, Jörg, Einführung in die Intermedialität, Darmstadt, WBG, 2014 and contact the lecturer.
Unit A:
- Rajewsky, Irina O., Intermedialität, Tübingen und Basel, A. Francke, 2002.
- Werner, Wolf, Intermedialität, in: Metzler Lexikon der Kulturtheorie und Kulturwissenschaften, hrsg. von A. Nünning, Stuttgart, Weimar, 2005, S. 83-85.
- Wirth, Uwe, Intermedialität, in: Handbuch Literaturwissenschaft, hrsg. von Th. Anz, Stuttgart, Weimar, 2007, S. 254-264.
Unit B:
- Reader 2026-2027 (myAriel)
- Key resources on the topic (myAriel).
Unit C:
- Heinrich Böll, Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum, München 1976ff. (ISBN: 978-3-423-01150-1)
- Verfilmung Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum (1975)
- Biopics (Rilke: Paula, 2016; Kafka, 2024).
Non-attending students should read Robert, Jörg, Einführung in die Intermedialität, Darmstadt, WBG, 2014 and contact the lecturer.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination includes a Hausarbeit in German, aimed at assessing the acquisition of the course contents and the ability to analyse literary texts from an intermedial point of view, and an oral test.
Active participation during the lectures will be considered as an integral part of the assessment.
Active participation during the lectures will be considered as an integral part of the assessment.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
GERM-01/B - German Literature - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
GERM-01/B - German Literature - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)