Unit name | Franz Kafka |
---|---|
Unit code | GERM22033 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Debbie Pinfold |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of German |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Kafka referred to his writing as the 'Darstellung meines traumhaften innern Lebens', but for all their very specific personal roots his works have universal appeal and relevance. This unit will proceed by means of close readings of a selection of Kafka's shorter fiction, focusing in particular on texts which deal with two of his main themes, guilt and punishment and the plight of the artist. Through the shorter fiction students will be introduced to a range of critical approaches to Kafka's work as well as being encouraged to develop their personal response to his writing. This will lay the foundations for the second half of the course, which will focus on Kafka's fullest exploration of the theme of guilt and punishment, Der Proce�. The course will be taught mainly through seminar discussions; students will also be expected to deliver short presentations based on their own reading.