Instructor: Patricia Stanley, Professor of German, 316A Diffenbaugh, office phones: 644-3728 (main office, leave messages here); 644-8193 (my office, no voice mail). Office hours: MWF 08:00-11:00.

Catalog Description:

GEW 4591.Studies in an Author or Theme (3). Offers the opportunity to study either a single author in depth or to follow a specific theme which may extend over a brief period or over centuries. Course material is often supplemented by recordings and cinematic representations. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

GEW 5596.Studies in an Author or Movement (3). Either the works of an individual author or a number of authors composing a specific movement are read. Course materials are frequently supplemented with films, videos, and recordings. May e repeated for a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

Prerequisites for both undergraduates and graduate students: Ability to read unglossed texts and to contribute to discussion in German.

The objective of this course is to acquaint students with the literary achievements of women writers in Germany. The goal is a better understanding of problems peculiar to women as writers and as human beings. The texts to be used during the present semester are by contemporary writers, but introductory lectures and individual oral assignments will bring in to discussion at least background information on significant women of the past.

1. Texts (all available from Bill's or the University Bookstore):

Frauen im Mittelpunkt. Contemporary German Women Writers, ed. Herminghouse.

Die Geschichten der drei Damen K (Helke Sander)

2. Packet of readings at Modern Copy (next to Bill's on campus)

Major assignments: 1) Referat (oral, all students) (presented at a time to be decided during the course of the semester) and a written report (all students, but see below for gradute students, handed in by the last class period) on a woman writer of the past. 2) Midterm examination, all students. 3) Final examination (for undergraduates only). Both examinations will be essay-type. The midterm will take place during the seventh week of classes. The final exam will take place in a classroom to be selected later on Friday of exam week (April 22-26), from 10:00-12:00 noon.

The Referat will consist of a succinct summary of the life and achievements of a woman writer from the past, chosen either by personal preference or from the list distributed on the first day of class. This Referat may be written out and read aloud or presented only with notes. It should not last longer than 10 minutes for undergraduate students and 15 minutes for graduate students. Please advise me of your choice by the end of the third week of class.

The written report for undergraduate students will be the Referat. For graduate students the written report will consist of the Referat material and an interpretation of one of the writer's texts. It should be at least 10 pages long. Graduate students are to consult me beforehand regarding which text they wish to examine.

Grading: Undergraduate:

Participation 20%

Referat 10

Paper 20

Midterm 20

Final 30 = 100%

Graduate:

Participation 25%

Referat 15

Paper 40

Midterm 20 = 100%

I will not give a make-up exam for either the midterm or final unless I know in advance that a student cannot be present on the scheduled exam date. I will not give an Incomplete for the course unless there is some compelling reason for such a course of action. Although attendance will not be taken, I would appreciate knowing in advance whenever possible when a student cannot attend a class.

FSU adheres to the provisions of Section 504 of the Disabilities Act of 1973. If any student has a seeing or hearing problem or other difficulty attendant to participating in classes, please see me so that prompt and effective action may be taken to correct the problem.

The topics to be discussed will be text-specific, generated - in addition to guidance given here - by student response. The books and supplementary reading in the packet will be read in the order shown above.

READING SCHEDULE

Week 1 - Introduction to course and methodology. Examination of list of women writers and a bibliography also distributed at this time. Reading and discussion of selected poetry, on handout sheets. For Week 2 read Anna Seghers, "Das Schilfrohr" and essay on Seghers in packet. Read also Christa Wolf, "Blickwechsel." Scan essay by Mews, specifically for material on Wolf.

Week 2 - Discussion on literary life in East Germany after 1945, based on the two essays read. Lecture on formation of Gruppe 47 in West Germany. Discussion of texts by Seghers and Wolf. For Week 3 read Irmtraud Morgner, "Das Seil" and Marie Luise Kaschnitz, "Das dicke Kind."

Week 3 - Students to advise me of Referat topic. In the course of discussing Morgner and Kaschnitz, refer back to Eaast German writers and note differences in style, milieu, points of emphasis. For Week 4 read Kantorowicz essay and Marieluise Fleier, "Das Pferd und die Jungfer."

Week 4 - At least one Referat during this week's meetings if possible. Conclude Morgner and Kaschnitz discussion and comparison with East German writing. Discuss Fleier. For Week 5 read Gabrielle Wohmann, "Abschied von Lukas Belwanger" and Karin Struck, "Klassenliebe."

Week 5 - Note in discussion the difference in gender consciousness between earlier readings and the work of Wohmann and Struck. At least one Referat this week. For Week 6 read Ilse Aichinger, "Spiegelgeschichte."

Week 6 - Discuss the unusual style of this text and compare it to poetry of Günderode. What is the effect of this style on the reader? If possible, one Referat this week on another woman writer also a member of Gruppe 47. Review next Monday and Wednesday, midterm next Friday.

Week 7 - Review of characters, themes, styles. Midterm on Friday. Please bring blue books or other type of writing paper. For Week 8 read Ingeborg Bachmann, "Ihr glücklichen Augen" and Barbara Frischmuth, "Die Anstandsstunde."

Week 8 - Discussion of midterm. At least one Referat this week. Discuss assigned stories. For Week 9 read Gertrud Leutenegger, "Das verlorene Monument." Read also Goodman article on autobiography.

Week 9 - Complete discussion of Bachmann, Frischmuth and Leutenegger and prepare a list of the numerous themes in this book of stories.

Week 10 - Hear remaining Referate, complete discussion of themes, styles, cultural differences. For week 12 read as far as possible in Helke Sander, Die Geschichten der drei Damen K., but at least to p. 50. It is much easier reading than the other book of stories.

Week 11 - Spring Break.

Week 12 - Discuss "Vorwort" of Sander book and the premise of this book. Discuss concept of intertextuality and how it can be applied to this work. Lecture topic: Roland Barthes' book, The Pleasure of the Text. Begin discussion of the stories and the "Gespräsche" of the women. For Week 13 read to page 101.

Week 13 - Continue discussion. Begin creating a list of topics, create verbal portraits of the three women. For Week 14 complete reading.

Weeks 14 and 15 - General discussion of themes, milieu, personality traits of these women and the men with whom they have relationships. Psychological evaluation of the women. Generalizations that may be drawn; cultural differences that emerge between American and German women; if possible, comparison of German women writers and their counterparts in America. Look at some back issues of Ms magazine for contemporary themes in this country (student library work).

Patricia H. Stanley

Professor of German