GERM 365 - A Kafkaesque Century

Cross-Listed as ENGL 235

Taught in English, with an optional German component for those who want to have the course count toward their German-taught courses. In this case, students must do the reading and writing assignments in German and participate in extra discussion sessions in German (format and frequency to be determined with the instructor).

What does the internationally (mis)used word “kafkaesque” actually mean? This course approaches Kafka’s work both as a case for literary analysis and as one that offers insights into modernism. In one way or another, Kafka sheds light on massive industrialization, bureaucratization, the commodification of art, the destabilization of patriarchy, and the development of technology and media, as well as on the question: what is literature itself. In addition to a selection of Kafka’s fiction, we shall read Crumb and Mairowitz’s graphic version of his life and work, allowing students to produce their own graphic group project. Prerequisite(s): For the optional German component: GERM 308 or GERM 309 , or study abroad, or permission of instructor. Alternate spring semesters. (4 Credits)