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Magic, Monsters, and the Occult in German Literature


Course Description

Texts that address themes from occult science and philosophy such as magic, alchemy, and secret societies by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, E.T.A. Hoffmann, Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, Gustav Meyrink and excerpts from works by Paracelsus and other occult scientists and philosophers. Taught in German.


Athena Title

Magic Monsters and the Occult


Prerequisite

GRMN 3010 or GRMN 3015


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

This course introduces students to German literature that addresses topics from occult sciences and philosophy, such as magic, alchemy and Cabala. In class discussions and in essays students will improve their German language skills as they learn about the cultural significance of occult philosophies and secret societies, such as Freemasonry, from the 18th to early 20th centuries and how authors used these themes in their creative works. Students will also learn how some of the monsters in these works embody the occult philosophies.


Topical Outline

Students will read a variety of fictional texts and text excerpts, poetry and secondary literature in English translation that address topics such as Magic, witchcraft, secret societies (e.g., Freemasonry), occult science (e.g., alchemy), occult philosophy, Cabala, Tarot, and monsters (e.g., the vampire and the golem), including some or all of the following works and organized in thematic units: 1. Magic • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Faust. Der Tragödie erster Teil (excerpts) • Film: Peter Gorski: "Faust" (1960). 2. Witches, witchcraft, witch hunts • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Faust. Der Tragödie erster Teil (excerpts) • Heinrich (Institoris) Kramer and Jakob Sprenger: Malleus maleficarum (excerpts) • Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim: De occulta philosophia (excerpts) 3. Monsters and sorcery • Gustav Meyrink: Der Golem (excerpts) • Paul Wegener: "Der Golem" (1920) • Ernst Benjamin Salomo Raupach: Lasst die Todten ruh’n! • Film: F.W. Murnau: "Nosferatu: eine Symphonie des Grauens" (1922) • Film Werner Herzog: "Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht" (1979) 4. Occult sciences, Alchemy, elemental Magic • Paracelsus – selected essays on alchemy • Rudolf Steiner: An Outline of Esoteric Science (excerpts) • Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué: Undine • E.T.A. Hoffmann: Der Sandmann; Der goldne Topf 5. Secret societies, Freemasonry • Friedrich Schiller: Der Geisterseher (excerpts) • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Der Groß-Cophta • Film: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's masonic opera "Die Zauberflöte"


General Education Core

CORE IV: World Languages and Global Culture
CORE IV: Humanities and the Arts

Syllabus