Course Description
The works of major modern East Central European writers, with some attention to representative cinema, and with special emphasis on the relevance of these works to the contemporary world.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional reading, research, and written work.
Athena Title
East Central Euro Lit Culture
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
- to introduce students to major works of literature written by modern East Central European writers, with special emphasis on the relevance of these works to the contemporary world; - to outline the social, historical, and cultural events that have led to the formation of the various traditions of the region; - to situate the literary works within regional and global contexts; - to improve students' critical skills through the analysis of individual works of literature; - to develop students' communication skills through oral presentations and expository writing assignments. Students' performances will be assessed through presentations, tests, papers, and a final examination.
Topical Outline
The sequence of readings provides the structure of the course, with the topics covered being generated by the specific works under analysis. The works selected vary with the individual instructor. The following is a sample syllabus of a single semester's readings: Rilke. The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge Kafka. The Complete Stories Canetti. The Tongue Set Free Adorno. Minima Moralia Cioran. All Gall is Divided Gombrowicz. Diary Herbert. Elegy for the Departure Krleza. The Return of Philip Latinowicz von Rezzori. Memoirs of an Anti-Semite Hrabal/Menzel. Closely Watched Trains Wajda. The Maids of Wilko Brodsky. On Grief and Reason Tarkovsky. Nostalgia
Syllabus