Time Schedule:
Heidi R. Tilghman
GERMAN 351
Seattle Campus
Interdisciplinary study of Vienna at the turn of the century. Discussion of literary texts with emphasis on other intellectual and cultural trends of this very rich and complex period.
Class description
This course focuses on the modernist movement that erupted in Vienna in the last days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, from 1890 to 1914. This is a distinctly interdisciplinary course that examines the struggle to find new approaches in literature, music, architecture, painting and design. Particular emphasis is placed on the works of Robert Musil, Arthur Schnitzler, Adolf Loos, Gustav Klimt, Arnold Schoenberg and Sigmund Freud.. The course is conducted as a combination of lecture and small-group discussion supported by videos, films, slides and music. Class is conducted in English.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
I have designed this course as a seminar; hence each of you will be expected to be very actively involved in creating knowledge and understanding. Introductory lecture will move into student-led discussion, small-group activities, and student presentations.
Recommended preparation
Daily reading and writing. Occasional out-of-class group study sessions.
Class assignments and grading
We will each keep journals throughout the course in which we revisit questions and ideas from the previous class discussion, summarize and comment on daily reading, and pose new questions for the next day’s meeting. These journals are meant to motivate class discussion, workshops and presentations; they will be graded at regular intervals. In order to help synthesize what we have learned and discussed, we will have two midterm tests and one final. Students who wish may write a 10-page term paper (due at the end of the term) in place of the final examination.
20% journals 20% mid-term #1 20% midterm #2 40% final examination or term paper
