History of Literature and Critical Thought 1832-1900 (402-0-20)

Topic

Cultures of New Materialism: Objects, Literature,

Meeting Info

Kresge 3354 German Seminar Rm.: Wed 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This course explores—in the context of cultures of materiality—the intersections and points of contact between literature and material culture. These can be found on many levels: the book itself (as well as the manuscript, the letter) can be viewed as a material object, literary texts stage material objects to outline realistic diegetic worlds, to function as symbolic actors, to serve as aesthetic-poetological reflectors etc.
We will examine how materiality shapes genres and narrative forms (novel, film, poetry, object biography, exhibition narrative) as well as object categories (goods, heirloom, exhibit, relic, archival material, …) and institutions (archive, library, museum, department store). Fundamental cultural structures such as gender order and spatial order are relevant here, their interaction f.e. in museum stories will be analyzed.
Our readings will primarily focus on German (and some French, Danish, …) literature, available in English translation (with a few exceptions), including works by Heinrich von Kleist, Adalbert Stifter, Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, Hans Christian Andersen, Emile Zola, Gabriele Tergit, Alexander Kluge, Jenny Erpenbeck - alongside critical reflections from thinkers such as Mieke Bal (on Telling Objects), Pat Kirkham (on Gendered Objects), Bénédicte Savoy (on Restitution and Heritage).

Learning Objectives

Students will know how materiality shapes genres and narrative forms, how object categories and institutions like museums and archives intertwine, and how fundamental cultural structures such as gender order and spatial order are relevant in this context. Students will have insights into cultural and literary history via texts from 19th c. to the present and will get to know theoretical positions in current debates on cultural heritage issues.

Evaluation Method

Attendance, Class participation, Discussion section, Papers, Presentations, Readings, Research project

Class Materials (Required)

All texts (with a few exceptions) are available in English translation, therefore reading knowledge of German is not required.