Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:09
This course examines several landmark texts of modern Austrian literature. We will look at Schnitzler’s examination of bourgeois hypocrisy in Fräulein Else, Kafka’s dystopian novel Das Schloss [The Castle], Bachmann’s depiction of a female subject’s struggle for identity in Malina, and 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 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 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 [The Castle], 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 | 35 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 39 | Feedback Weeks | 42 | |
| 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 | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop understanding of modern Austrian history and society through the study of diverse literary texts |
| Conceptual | Understand | 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 |
| Procedural | Analyse | Develop skills in analysing literary texts |
| Procedural | Create | 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 | 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Length: 15-20 minutes All presentations receive grades and are discussed individually within no more than 2 weeks. 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 | Understand | 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 | Create | 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 | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 39 | Feedback Weeks | 25,42 | |
| Feedback |
Word Count: 3,000 In conjunction with the course coordinator, the student will develop an independent research project based on the course material. Supported through individual consultations with the course coordinator, the student will research and write a longer essay responding to the issues raised in the course. 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 | Understand | Develop understanding of modern Austrian history and society through the study of diverse literary texts |
| Conceptual | Understand | 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 |
| Procedural | Analyse | Develop skills in analysing literary texts |
| Procedural | Create | 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 | 49 | Feedback Weeks | 52 | |
| Feedback |
Essays are marked on the basis of specific marking criteria (as outlined in the course guide) and are returned with written feedback. 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 | Analyse | Develop skills in analysing literary texts |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Improved ability to evaluate and discuss complex ideas orally and in writing |
| Conceptual | Understand | 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 |
| Procedural | Create | Assemble a coherent argument for presentation in oral and written work |
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop understanding of modern Austrian history and society through the study of diverse literary texts |
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