Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19
This course will examine several landmark texts of modern Austrian literature and, indeed, world literature. We will look at Arthur Schnitzler’s examination of bourgeois hypocrisy in Fräulein Else, Franz Kafka’s dystopian presentation of an individual versus a powerful bureaucracy in Das Schloss, Ingeborg Bachmann’s depiction of a female subject’s struggle for identity in Malina, and Thomas Bernhard’s critique of the long shadow of Austria’s past in Heldenplatz. We will examine the works’ social and historical contexts, as well as the authors’ innovative style and use of language.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course will examine several landmark texts of modern Austrian literature and, indeed, world literature. We will look at Arthur Schnitzler’s examination of gender norms and bourgeois hypocrisy in Fräulein Else, Franz Kafka’s dystopian presentation of an individual pitted against a powerful and opaque bureaucratic apparatus in Das Schloss, Ingeborg Bachmann’s depiction of a female subject’s struggle to overcome a personal and collective trauma in Malina, and Thomas Bernhard’s critique of the long shadow of Austria’s past in Heldenplatz. The works will be examined in their specific social and historical contexts (whether that is the influence of Freud’s ideas in turn-of-the-century Austria-Hungary, or the ‘first victim’ myth of postwar Austria), as well as focusing on the authors’ innovative style and use of language. Reference will also be made to the numerous film and stage adaptations of these canonical works. Students will be encouraged to work comparatively and draw connections between texts by different authors and of diverse genres.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
All presentations receive grades and are discussed individually within no more than 2 weeks. Essays are marked on the basis of specific marking criteria (as outlined in the course guide) and are returned with written feedback. Additional informal feedback on performance and seminar participation is offered in seminars. Tutors have office hours at which further feedback may be sought. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Gain knowledge and understanding of a number of key modern Austrian literary texts and authors and the ability to situate these in their social and cultural contexts. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop understanding of modern Austrian history and society through the study of diverse literary texts. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Develop skills in analysing literary texts |
| Procedural | Apply | Assemble a coherent argument for presentation in oral and written work. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Improved ability to evaluate and discuss complex ideas orally and in writing. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 70 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 18 | Feedback Weeks | 21 | |
| Feedback |
Essays are marked on the basis of specific marking criteria (as outlined in the course guide) and are returned with written feedback. Additional informal feedback on performance and seminar participation is offered in seminars. Tutors have office hours at which further feedback may be sought. |
Word Count | 3500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Gain knowledge and understanding of a number of key modern Austrian literary texts and authors and the ability to situate these in their social and cultural contexts. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop understanding of modern Austrian history and society through the study of diverse literary texts. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Develop skills in analysing literary texts |
| Procedural | Apply | Assemble a coherent argument for presentation in oral and written work. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Improved ability to evaluate and discuss complex ideas orally and in writing. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Essays are marked on the basis of specific marking criteria (as outlined in the course guide) and are returned with written feedback. Additional informal feedback on performance and seminar participation is offered in seminars. Tutors have office hours at which further feedback may be sought. |
Word Count | 3500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Evaluate | Improved ability to evaluate and discuss complex ideas orally and in writing. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Develop skills in analysing literary texts |
| Procedural | Apply | Assemble a coherent argument for presentation in oral and written work. |
| Procedural | Create | Have the opportunity to choose this topic for further research in the form of their dissertation. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop understanding of modern Austrian history and society through the study of diverse literary texts. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Gain knowledge and understanding of a number of key modern Austrian literary texts and authors and the ability to situate these in their social and cultural contexts. |
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