Learning outcomes

  • An initial overview of well-known and lesser-known texts from German-language literature from the 18th to the 20th centuries
  • Acquisition of in-depth reading and text analysis techniques
  • Acquisition of the basic vocabulary in relation to the analysis of narrative texts and poems
  •  Acquisition of language level A2/B1 according to CEFR criteria (for non-native speakers of German)

Goals

By analysing texts from different literary genres, this course will develop students' reading techniques and provide them with the necessary reading tools, i.e. the basic notions of terminology specific to literary studies. The texts or text extracts chosen will also enable students to create links with other fields with which they are familiar, such as song, poetry on social networks or children's literature.

This course aims at the acquisition of the A2/B1 level according to the CEFR* criteria. For native speakers of German, it will aim to develop their oral and written skills. *https://www.coe.int/fr/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages

Content

Introducing the fundamental principles that organize the structure of the literary text, this course deals first with narrative texts and then focuses on poems. In order to familiarize students with the practice of literary analysis, the course applies theoretical knowledge to several texts by exemplary authors from the 18th to the 20th century. The texts chosen will be excerpts from texts or short stories ("Kunstmärchen", "Novelle"). In the analysis of the poems, the texts will often be illustrated or complemented by music (classical, pop, rock, ...).

Table of contents

The course is structured in two parts, the first on prose, the second on poetry.

Exercices

The exercises serve to prepare the lesson and to supplement it with complementary tasks. These exercises will also include three workshops devoted to the following themes: 1) How do you describe a character? 2) How do you analyse a narrative text and defend your own point of view on it? 3) How do you write an analysis of a poem?
 
The assignments relate to these workshops and aim to develop written and oral expression skills. The texts of Ludwig Tieck (in bilingual version) and the anthology of German poetry are used as support for these assignments.

Teaching methods

Interactive course with numerous exercises. Theoretical sessions alternate with more practical sessions in which students are encouraged to articulate their own emotions, ideas and interpretations of the chosen texts.

Participation in any activity organised by the department as part of this course is considered compulsory.

Assessment method

The final score will consist of the following parts:

- the written exam at the end of the year, which will count for 60%;

The student will be introduced to the content of this exam and its process during a written exam simulation at the end of March (2h). This mock exam will cover only the first of the two parts of the course, namely the analysis of narrative texts. The corrections and remarks as well as the points received (which do not count for the end of year result) will be used for self-evaluation.

- an oral examination at the end of the year, which will count for 20% and will cover the concepts and texts seen in the course;

- a portfolio of two written works to be submitted during the four-month period and an oral presentation. This portfolio and the presentation will count for 20% of the final grade. These works will be explained during the exercise sessions and in particular during the workshops. They are a prerequisite for the written and oral exams.

The use of AI will not be accepted for the production of texts or content, either in the formative or summative assessment phases, unless explicitly stated.

Sources, references and any support material

• Syllabus 1: "Erzähltextanalyse" 

• Syllabus 2: "Lyrikanalyse" 

• Syllabus 3: Materialien für die Übungsstunden

• Ludwig Tieck: La coupe d'or et autres contes/Der Pokal und andere Märchen. Traduit de l’allemand par Albert Béguin. Paris: Gallimard 2011. 

• Deutsche Gedichte. Eine Anthologie. Hg. von Dietrich Bode. Stuttgart: Reclam 2000.

Language of instruction

German