Last modified: 25 Jul 2024 15:46
What does it mean to be human? Writers have explored this question by turning to the nonhuman, and to realms of experience that modern human life excludes. The course examines literary works in relation to early twentieth century thought, society and culture in order to understand writers' discontentment with modern life. The course involves reading some key works of German literary modernism, by authors such as Döblin, Kafka, Rilke, Musil, and Hesse, alongside works by influential thinkers of this period such as Nietzsche, Simmel and Freud.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
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| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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What does it mean to be human? Writers have explored this question by turning to what humans are not – particularly to animals, which may stand for all that is excluded from human life. The course examines literary works in relation to early twentieth century thought, society and culture in order to understand writers' discontentment with the conditions of modern human existence. The course explores the concept of humanity and the human by reading some key works of German literary modernism, by authors such as Döblin, Kafka, Rilke, Musil, and Hesse, alongside works by influential thinkers of this period such as philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, sociologist Georg Simmel and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud.
The following primary texts should be read before the start of the course:
Georg Simmel, ‘Die Großstädte und das Geistesleben’ (1903, sociological essay)
Alfred Döblin, ‘Die Ermordung einer Butterblume’ (1910, short story in collection of the same name)
Franz Kafka, ‘Die Verwandlung’ (1915, story)
____, ‘Bericht für eine Akademie’ (1917, short story)
____, ‘Ein Hungerkünstler’ (1922, short story)
Friedrich Nietzsche, Zur Geneologie der Moral (1887, philosophical work) especially part II (extracts will be provided during the course)
Rainer Maria Rilke, please read the following poems: ‘Der Panther’ (1902), the first, second, fourth, eighth and ninth Duineser Elegien (1923), the first of the Sonette an Orpheus (1923)
Hugo von Hofmannsthal, ‘Chandos Brief’ (1902, fictional letter)
Sigmund Freud, ‘Aus der Geschichte einer infantilen Neurose’, especially Section IV: ‘Der Traum und die Urszene’ (1918, psychoanalytical case-study)
Hermann Hesse, Der Steppenwolf (1927, novel)
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 70 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
All essays are returned within no more than 3 weeks of submission. All assignments receive CGS marks, which the course guide links to specific marking criteria, and written and/or verbal feedback in the form of tutors' comments is also given. Additional informal feedback on seminar participation is offered in seminars. Tutors have office hours at which further feedback may be sought. |
Word Count | 3000 | |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Factual | Remember | ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide. |
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