| CODE | GRM3027 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Bernhard Schlinks „Der Vorleser“: Interpretation, Rezeption, Adaption | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | German | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Bernhard Schlinks Roman „Der Vorleser“ von 1997 thematisiert vor dem Hintergrund einer tragisch endenden Liebesgeschichte hochbrisante Themen wie den Holocaust, aber auch den Generationenkonflikt der 1950er Jahre in der BRD. Schlinks Bestseller ist ein signifikantes Beispiel für eine zwar nicht völlig neue, doch besondere Art deutscher Vergangenheitsbewältigung. Der Roman, eines der weltweit erfolgreichsten Bücher eines deutschen Autors überhaupt, stürmte in der englischen Übersetzung auch in die Bestsellerlisten der USA. Zudem ist er fester Bestandteil der Lehrpläne an deutschen Schulen, was seinen Bekanntheitsgrad auch in der jüngeren Generation kontinuierlich erhöht. Die neuerliche Verfilmung von Stephen Daldry „The reader“ (mit der Oscar-gekürten Kate Winslett in der Rolle der Hanna Schmitz) hat noch einmal die Kontroverse darüber verstärkt, ob im Film, aber auch schon im Buch Schuld, Sühne und Verantwortung der Täter angemessen behandelt werden. Die extreme Spannbreite der Kritiken geht von „sensibel und feinfühlig“ bis hin zu „Nazi-Porno“ und „schlechtestem Holocaust-Film aller Zeiten“, der „moralisch ärmer“ mache. Das Seminar wird nach einer eingehenden Lektüre und literaturwissenschaftlichen Analyse von „Der Vorleser“ die Rezeptions- und Perzeptionsgeschichte des Romans beleuchten und ihn auch zu anderen literarischen Werken, die den Holocaust thematisieren, kontrastieren. In einem zweiten Schritt werden wir den Film „The reader“ von 2008 dem literarischen Original von 1997 gegenüberstellen. The novel “The Reader” by Bernhard Schlink, published 1997, explores not only a tragic love story but also highly explosive issues such as the Holocaust and the generation gap in Germany of the fifties. Therefore, it is a very important example for a specific way of coping with the past in and by literature. This novel has become one of the most successful books by a German author world-wide. It was a bestseller in the United States after it was translated into English. Furthermore, “The Reader” is an integral part of the curricula at German schools, making the novel even more popular among young readers. The recent film adaptation by Stephen Daldry (starring Oscar-winner Kate Winslett) launched a new debate about whether the film and the book deal with topics such as guilt, atonement and responsibility in an adequate way. The judgments of critics ranged from “sensitive and delicate” to “Nazi-porn”, “the worst film about the Holocaust ever” and “impoverishing the sense of morality” After a precise literary analysis of “Der Vorleser” the unit will focus on the history of the reception and perception of the novel, comparing and contrasting it with other texts that explore the issue of the Holocaust. Furthermore, we will juxtapose the literary original with the film version. Study-unit Aims This study-unit aims at enhancing participants' understanding of German literature in order to understand the mentality and cultural memory of the German speaking world by focussing on a German novel which topics are very much linked to historical problems and questions. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - know the most important facts on concepts and ideas of coping with the past ("Vergangenheitsbewältigung") in and by German literature; - know about facts and figures of the mentality and cultural memory in Germany. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - analyze, assess and classify features of contemporary German literature; - relate literary and philosophical ideas to historical developments; - analyze film adoptions and literary criticisms of literary works; - master a longer written study on German literature. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings Schlink, Bernhard (2009): "Der Vorleser". Zürich: Diogenes-Verlag 2009 (17. Aufl.) (ISBN 3257060653) Schlink, Bernhard (1997): "The reader". Vintage Ostermann, Micha (2004): "Aporien des Erinnerns. Bernhard Schlinks Roman 'Der Vorleser'". Bochum: Verlag Marcel Dolega (ISBN 3937376038) Köster, Juliane (2000): "Bernhard Schlink, Der Vorleser. Interpretation". München: Oldenbourg-Verlag (ISBN 3486887459) The students will be provided with up to date material during the course. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite: Current or former participation in an introductory course on German Literary Studies/ Literature. | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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