WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

PROPOSAL FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES COURSES

Department ____Global Studies and World Languages______Date : March 24, 2011

___German 204___ __Special Topics: Literature______4 S. H._

Course No. Course Name Credits

This proposal is for a(n) ____X__ Undergraduate Course

Applies to: ______Major ______Minor

_____ Required _____ Required

_____ Elective _____ Elective

University Studies (A course may be approved to satisfy only one set of outcomes.):

Course Requirements:

Basic Skills: Arts & Science Core: Unity and Diversity:

_____ 1. College Reading and Writing __X _ 1. Humanities _____ 1. Critical Analysis

_____ 2. Oral Communication _____ 2. Natural Science _____ 2. Science and Social Policy

_____ 3. Mathematics _____ 3. Social Science _____ 3. a. Global Perspectives

_____ 4. Physical Development & Wellness _____ 4. Fine & Performing Arts _____ b. Multicultural Perspectives

_____ 4. a. Contemporary Citizenship

_____ b. Democratic Institutions

Flagged Courses: _____ 1. Writing

_____ 2. Oral Communication

_____ 3. a. Mathematics/Statistics

_____ b. Critical Analysis

Prerequisites ______None______

Provide the following information (attach materials to this proposal):

Please see “Directions for the Department” on previous page for material to be submitted.

Attach a University Studies Approval Form.

Department Contact Person for this Proposal:

_Ronal M. ______

Name (please print) Phone e-mail address

[Revised 9-05]

A.  Changes in the course description

1.  German 204 Special Topics: German Literature

This course will deal with variable topics, depending on student interest or need and available faculty expertise. The subject matter will range from:

1.)  A specific literary period or movement (e.g. 19th Century, 20th Century, Romanticism, Naturalism); to

2.)  A particular literary genre (e.g. lyric poetry, works of prose, drama) or

3.)  An individual author (e.g. Goethe, the Brothers Grimm). The course will be taught in English with supplementary materials in German (when available) for students able to delve more deeply into the subject matter using the original works. No prerequisites. Grade only for German Studies Minors. All others P/NC or grade.

4.)  Course requirements

Course requirements are illustrated in the sample syllabus for the course on the German Novella

Requirements

Current / Proposed
Credit Hours / 2 S.H. / 4 S.H.
Prerequisites / GERM 202 / none

2.  Course outline of the major topics and subtopics (minimum of two-level outline.)

A sample syllabus is attached to illustrate the kind of course topic breakdown that will be used.

B.  Rationale for each of the changes proposed

German 204 will be increased to 4 S.H. to allow for a broader and deeper coverage of subject matter. In its earlier form, it was a part of a major and minor that offered other courses to treat its subject matter in greater depth. Without that additional support, the course must expand to provide the depth and breadth of treatment required by the new program in German studies.

Prerequisites in the area of the German language are no longer necessary because the course will be taught in English.

C.  Impact of this course on other Departments, Programs, Majors, or Minors

1.  This course does not increase or decrease the total credits required by a major or minor of any other department.

2.  The Global Studies Program has been consulted.

D.  Describe impacts of the proposal on the University Studies Program

1.  This course will broaden the options available under the Humanities section of U.S.P.

German 204 Sample Course Syllabus

Department: Global Studies and World Languages / Course Title: Special Topics: The German Novella
Number: 204 / Instructor: Dr. Ronald Mazur or Dr. Lilian Ramos
Number of Credits: 4 / Office: Somsen 319A / Somsen 319F
Office Hours: MTWR 1-2 or by appointment / Telephone: ext. 5166/ ext. 5168
Email: or / Grading: Grade only for minors.
All others P/NC or Grade

Course Applies to: German studies minors and university studies students.

Texts: Twelve German Novellas. Harry Steinhauer, ed., 1977

German Novellas of Realism, vol. 1. Jeffery L. Sammons, 1989.

Course Description:

1.  Catalog Description

The course focuses on an individual author, a literary period/movement or a special literary category/genre.

2.  Statement of the major focus and objectives of the course

This course presents a core body of knowledge on the German Novella of the 19th century.

Objectives:

Students in German 204 will:

a.  Gain insight into several authors and novellas from representative periods of the 19th century.

b.  Understand the main concepts of such literary periods as Classicism, Romanticism, Biedermeier, Poetic, Realism, and Naturalism.

c.  Demonstrate through classroom discussions, oral presentations, short papers and examinations a good understanding of the primary theses of the assigned readings.

3.  Basic instructional plan

a.  Classroom discussions of readings

b.  Lecture/questioning; media presentations

c.  Collaborative learning activities

4.  Course Requirements:

a.  Assigned readings and discussion questions

b.  Active participation in classroom discussions

c.  3 compositions of 2-3 pages each in English based on selected readings

d.  One 15-20 minute PowerPoint presentation in English highlighting the biography of one of the selected authors in the text

e.  A midterm and final examination

5.  Participation and Grading

Generally one Novella will be read and discussed every 2 weeks. During each class session, participation will be recorded and evaluated based on the instructor’s impression of student preparedness and comprehension of the material. Active involvement and punctual attendance at every class sessions are essential to successful completion of the course. Late arrivals are disruptive and should be avoided if at all possible. A maximum of 10 points will be awarded for each class session. A 25-point penalty will be deducted for the first unexcused absence and 50 for the second, and 100 for the third. More than 3 unexcused absences will constitute a failing grade. Illness, emergencies and university-sponsored evens constitute excused absences and must be documented. 48-hour notice prior to or following such absences must be given. Late work will only be accepted for excused absences and quizzes can generally not be made up.

Compositions will be graded on organization, content, and accuracy. The topics should center on a particular aspect of the novellas chosen and at least one secondary source other then the internet should be consulted for each composition and must be documented. A rough draft may be submitted at least one week in advance of the due date. Deadlines for submission will be strictly observed.

Outlines of the oral report should be submitted to the class; however, the presenter is to address the audience rather than just read from the outline. Presentations will be evaluated based on organization, accuracy, content, and manner of the presentation.

The final grade will be comprised of the following elements:

Preparedness 280

Papers 300

Presentation 100

Midterm 60

Final 200

Total 940

1080-972 A

971-864 B

863-756 C

755-648 D

Course Topics

1.  The German Novela as Short Prose Fiction

a.)  Precursors in European literatures – Italian, Spanish, and English

2.  18th Century Prose Narrative

a.)  Moral Tales

b.)  Philosophical Tales

c.)  Fairy Tales: Folk Tales & Artistic Tales

3.  19th Century Developments

a.)  Romanticism-Wonder Tales

b.)  Biedermeier

c.)  Poetic Realism –

d.)  Naturalism – New Genre Labels – Sketch, Short Story, Narrative

4.  20th Century

a.)  Gradual Transformation

b.)  Decline in Popularity

c.)  Revival – Gunter Grass, Martin Walser, et al.

5.  The Theory of the Novella

a.)  Christoph Martin Wieland – 1764

b.)  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – 1795 – The Fairy Tale (inside the frame of Conversations of German Émigrés)

c.)  The Brothers Schlegel – Attempted Definitions

d.)  Willibald Alexis – Brevity and Unity

e.)  Friedrich Theodor Vischer – A Single Incident

f.)  Paul Heyse – Deepest & Most Morally Significant Life Issues

g.)  Friedrich Spielhagen – Small Cast of Fully Developed Characteristics

h.)  Theodor Storm – The Profoundest Questions of Life

6.  The Major Characteristics of the German Novella (By 1900)

a.)  A Frame Structure

b.)  Highly Unusual yet Verisimilar Event

c.)  Small Cast of Fully-Developed Characters

d.)  Event Emphasized over Character

e.)  Compact Structure

f.)  One or More Turning Points or Reversals

g.)  Central Symbol

h.)  Narrative Tone of Overt Objectivity but Covert Subjectivity

i.)  Often Portrays a Twist of Fate

7.  Scholarly Positions

a.)  Rigorist

b.)  Latitudinarians

c.)  Medium Length as Criterion

8.  Foreign Models of Novellas

a.)  Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad

b.)  Benito Cereno – Herman Melville

c.)  Carmen – Prosper Merimée

d.)  The Death of Ivan Ilyich – Leo Tolstoy

Selections to Read (From Anthology or on hand-outs/sheets)

a.  Blond Eckbert

b.  The Earthquake in Chile

c.  The Story of Good Kasperl and Beautiful Annerl

d.  The Mad Invalid of Fort Ratonneau

e.  The Jewish Beech Tree

f.  Rock Crystal

g.  Flagman Thiel

h.  The Experience of Marschall Von Bassompierre

i.  The Violet Death

j.  The Ship

k.  The Verdict

Bibliography:

1.  Bennett, E.K. et H.M. Waidson. A History of the German Novelle, 2nd Ed. Cambridge: University Press, 1974.

2.  Faulkes, A. Peter et Edgar Lohner, eds. Deutsche Novellen. Von Tieck Bis Hauptmann. Boston: Houghton Miffin, 1969.

3.  Sammons, Jeffery L. German Novellas of Realism. Vol. 1. Continuum, 1989

4.  Steinhauer, Harry. Deutsche Erzahlungen- German Stories. A Bilingual Anthology. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1984.

5.  Steinhauer, Harry. Twelve German Novellas. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1977

6.  Weing, Siegfried. An Anthology of German Novellas. Columbia S.C: Camden House, 1996.

This course meets the requirements of the Humanities section of the W.S.U University Studies Program- (4.S.H)

This course includes requirements and learning activities the promote students abilities to

a.)  Identify and understand specific elements and assumptions of a particular Humanities discipline;

Students will learn to explore, experience, conceptualize, and interpret works of German literature using a variety of aesthetic and critical methodologies. This will make them conscious readers of literature able to see and appreciate the many structural, cultural, and literary qualities that elude the casual reader.

b.)  Understand how historical context, cultural values, and gender influence perceptions and interpretations;

Literature is what a given society or culture defines as a privileged work of human linguistic expression embodying values and potential experiences of lasting significance. It is an enduring expression of communal and individual values linking authors with readers who perceive and appreciate them. Students will be taught to view literature in these terms through lectures, content exams and class discussions.

c.)  Understand the role of critical analysis (e.g. aesthetic, historical, literary, philosophical and rhetorical) in interpreting and evaluating expressions of human experience.

Essays, short reports, research papers, and group discussions will offer students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate their growing mastery of the critical analysis of literary works that exemplify the range of human experience by the most accomplished authors from all social groups.