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GM401H: LANDMARKS OF MODERN AUSTRIAN LITERATURE (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

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.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Katya Krylova

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either European Studies (EU) or German (GM)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Either Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

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. 


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

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. 

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseGain 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.
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop understanding of modern Austrian history and society through the study of diverse literary texts.
ProceduralAnalyseDevelop skills in analysing literary texts
ProceduralApplyAssemble a coherent argument for presentation in oral and written work.
ProceduralEvaluateImproved ability to evaluate and discuss complex ideas orally and in writing.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 70
Assessment Weeks 18 Feedback Weeks 21

Look up Week Numbers

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
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseGain 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.
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop understanding of modern Austrian history and society through the study of diverse literary texts.
ProceduralAnalyseDevelop skills in analysing literary texts
ProceduralApplyAssemble a coherent argument for presentation in oral and written work.
ProceduralEvaluateImproved ability to evaluate and discuss complex ideas orally and in writing.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

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
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateImproved ability to evaluate and discuss complex ideas orally and in writing.
ProceduralAnalyseDevelop skills in analysing literary texts
ProceduralApplyAssemble a coherent argument for presentation in oral and written work.
ProceduralCreateHave the opportunity to choose this topic for further research in the form of their dissertation.
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop understanding of modern Austrian history and society through the study of diverse literary texts.
ConceptualAnalyseGain 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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