GERST 2700

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  • Schedule of Classes - January 11, 2024 7:32PM EST
  • Course Catalog - January 11, 2024 7:07PM EST

GERST 2700
Introduction to German Culture and Thought

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2023-2024. Courses of Study 2023-2024 is scheduled to publish mid-June.

Big names, Big ideas, and Big events are associated with German culture and thought: Luther, Faust, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, Mozart, Beethoven, Kant, Hegel, Goethe, Einstein, Kafka and Thomas Mann; Enlightenment; World Wars and Reunification; European Union, and Migration and Refugees: In this course, we shall cover the broad spectrum of both the long tradition of German culture and thought, and examine the wide range of political, literary, sociological, and artistic topics, themes, and questions that are of urgent contemporary concern for Germany, Europe, and beyond. Guest lecturers will introduce you to the wide and exciting field of German Studies. Topics include: the age of enlightenment; literatures of migration and minorities; avant-garde art; philosophy, aesthetics, and critical theory; Weimar and War; Holocaust and its Aftermath; film and media; genres of literature: novel, novella, short story, lyric poetry, anecdote, autobiography; literature and politics; literature and the environment; digital humanities and literatures/fictions of cyber space. In addition, this course will introduce you to the techniques of critical analysis and writing. Authors include among many others: Goethe, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Adorno, Freud, Kafka, Kluge, Marx, Thomas Mann, Kracauer, Benjamin.

When Offered Fall.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: first-semester first-year students. All interested students are invited to apply online or in writing to the instructor, 183 Goldwin Smith Hall. Upon availability, sophomores will be welcome to apply.

Breadth Requirement (HB)
Distribution Category (ALC-AS, CA-AS)

Comments Readings and discussions in English.

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5495 GERST 2700   SEM 101

    • TR McGraw Hall 365
    • Aug 21 - Dec 4, 2023

    • Schwarz, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Enrollment limited to 18 1st semester first-year students. Readings and discussion in English. Students must apply in writing to instructor; Department of German Studies; 183 Goldwin Smith Hall. Upon availability, students of other levels will be welcome to apply. Online application: https://german.cornell.edu/application-gerst2700

    Department Consent Required (Add)