Course Description
The political and literary reception of the French Revolution in Germany. Includes representative literature of German classicism, travelogues and journalistic writings by German Jacobins, and political and sociological essays from 1775 to 1806. Focuses on the relationship between politics and aesthetics. Taught in German.
Athena Title
Germany and French Revolution
Prerequisite
GRMN 3010 or GRMN 3015
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Historical knowledge of literary and non-literary writings of the period and understanding of the role of literature in a specific socio-historical constellation of discourses; how political concepts and ideals are represented in literature and how they influence an author's poetics. Students will be evaluated on the basis of in-class discussions, written assignments, such as reflective statements to be posted on WebCt and essays, and a final exam.
Topical Outline
1. Survey of political developments; the French Revolution 2. Writings of the German Storm and Stress 3. Pre-revolutionary political writings 4. A case study in absolutism: the state of Württemberg 5. Travel writings about the French Revolution 6. The Mainz Republic (Georg Forster) and the Siege of Mainz (J. W. Goethe) 7. Friedrich Schiller's post-revolutionary aesthetics 8. German nationalism and the "Kulturnation" 9. Political and literary alternatives to German Classicism