Introduction to the Study of German Language Literatures

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Apart from lecturing moments, held by the teacher in order to provide the necessary framework, classes will essentially be designed so as to open up spaces of reflection on the selected texts. Thus, the curricular unit will use i) oral and written exercises of textual analysis and commentary (to be carried out individually or in groups), ii) students' oral presentations on concepts, authors, characters, etc., iii) joint discussions on the items in question.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the semester students should be able to:

1) deal with the problematics of literature and literary texts;

2) understand the specificity of literary studies, namely the aspects concerning its object, its fields of study, and its theoretical and methodological approaches;

3) critically analyse and discuss narrative, lyric, and dramatic texts – always supported by adequate literary methodologies and metalanguage;

4) distinguish between different literary genres and subgenres;

5) relate the literary text to its historical and cultural contexts, being aware of the literary process and considering both its periods and its movements;

6) have improved their knowledge of German and their ability to express themselves in Portuguese.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

This curricular unit, with a propaedeutical character, aims at improving the students' analytical and critical reading skills, considering the relation of literary texts to the literay-historical context, and providing them with adequate theoretical and methodological instruments. After preliminary reflexions on the concepts of literature and literary text, its premises and conventions, classes will be focusing on the study of lyric, epic and dramatic texts. Emphasis will be on reading methods, genre issues and literay periodization, the relation between literature and history, and intertextuality.

The selection of texts by German-speaking authors belonging to various periods of literary history will be at the discretion of the academic staff member in charge of the unit.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rogério Paulo da Costa Madeira

Assessment Methods

Final assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Continuous assessment
In-class participation : 20.0%
Mini Tests: 40.0%
Frequency: 40.0%

Bibliography

Beutin, W. et al. (2001). Deutsche Literaturgeschichte. Von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart (6. Aufl.). Stuttgart/Weimar: Metzler [Trad. Port. da 2.ª e 4.ª ed.: W. B. et al. (1993-94). História da Literatura Alemã das Origens à Actualidade. Lisboa: Apáginastantas, Cosmos].

Kayser, W. (1985), Análise e Interpretação da Obra Literária. Coimbra: A. Amado.

Reis, C. (2001), O Conhecimento da Literatura. Coimbra: Almedina.

Reis, C. (2018), Dicionário de Estudos Narrativos. Coimbra: Almedina.

Rothmann, K. (2014). Kleine Geschichte der deutschen Literatur (20. durchges. und erw. Aufl.). Stuttgart: Reclam.

Wellbery, D. E. et al. (ed.) (2004). A New History of German Literature. Cambridge: Harvard UP.

Wilpert, G. von (2001), Sachwörterbuch der Literatur (8. verb.u.erw. Aufl.). Stuttgart: Kröner.