Course Description
The golden age of Viennese culture, from the fin-de-siecle literature of the cafes to the rise of expressionism, the influence of psychoanalysis, and the ravages of the war. Figures considered include: Mozart, Schubert, the Strauss dynasty, Schnitzler, Hofmannsthal, Mahler, Freud, Wittengenstein, Kafka, Altenberg, Polgar, Trakl, Kraus and Musil. Taught in German.
Athena Title
Vienna Lit Art Music Culture
Prerequisite
GRMN 3010 or GRMN 3015
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The course intends to provide a thorough introduction to Viennese culture, an important field in the study of German-language culture and literature. A familiarity with the literary, cultural and artistic accomplishments of Viennese culture is very important to any undergraduate majoring in German. The course is entirely taught in German. Students will also significantly improve their language skills through the study of vocabulary lists, handed out for each text, as well as the review of problematic areas in grammar. Students will be evaluated on the basis of in-class discussions and oral presentations, written assignments, such as a reading journal, a midterm paper and a final research paper.
Topical Outline
Introduction to Austria: geography, population, the Austrian language, major historical periods and achievements Franz Joseph I: readings by Joseph Roth The imperial culture: the Viennese Waltz and the Radetzy- Marsch Arthur Schnitzler: fin-de-siecle writer (Liebelei) Hugo von Hofmannsthal: selected poems and short prose Kaffeehaus literature: Peter Altenberg and Polgar Viennese Impressionism: Leopold Andrian The rise of psychoanalysis: Sigmund Freud Viennese music culture: 1.Viennese classical music (Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, the Strauss dynasty) 2. the second Viennese School under Schoenberg The rise and fall of the Austrian empire (1918) Schnitzler, Leutnant Gustl Anti-Semitism and the founding of Zionism: Theodor Herzl Expressionist Literature: the poetry of Georg Trakl Aphorisms and the work of Karl Kraus Stefan Zweig and the rise of National Socialism
Syllabus