EU7290: Bertolt Brecht (taught in German)
| School | null |
| Department Code | null |
| Module Code | EU7290 |
| External Subject Code | R220 |
| Number of Credits | 20 |
| Level | L5 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Gerrit-Jan Berendse |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2013/4 |
Outline Description of Module
In this module students will learn to critically assess a fast amount of literary texts written by Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956). Brecht will be investigated as somebody who was a revolutionary on different fronts, as a playwright, poet, film director, theory and politics. All the different stages and metiers will be illustrated with his writings.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
On successful completion of the module a student will be able to:
describe and analyse the basic elements and theoretical framework of some cultural and political aspects from the end of the 19th century till the late 1950s in the German contexts; understand and define some of the key paradigm shifts in politics, society and culture related to Brecht’s life and letters; develop an awareness of the mechanisms of intercultural exchange in contemporary Europe; place the notion of Epic Theatre, Didactic Theatre and Social Gesture in a European social, political and cultural framework and connect with Brecht’s exile in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and the USA.
How the module will be delivered
One semester, 20 lectures and 6 seminars
Skills that will be practised and developed
a capacity to work independently and collaboratively; an ability to identify and critically assess ideas and arguments (both orally and in writing); an ability to present arguments in a clear, logical and structured manner; and a relatively high level of word-processing and IT skills applied to research.
How the module will be assessed
|
Examination |
70 |
|
2 hours |
|
Essay |
30 |
2000 word essay |
|
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 30 | Bertolt Brecht (Taught In German) (Presentation And Write-Up) | N/A |
| Written Assessment | 70 | Bertolt Brecht (Taught In German) (Essay) | N/A |
Syllabus content
In the semester key texts will be chronologically taught: Baal, The Three Penny Opera, He Who Says Yes/No, Mother Courage, Kuhle Wampe, Galileo plus a selection of his theoretical and political texts.
Essential Reading and Resource List
Anton Kaes et al., eds., The Weimar Republic Sourcebook, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press, 1994. Esp. chapters 21, 23, 24. DD237.W3
Florian Vaßen, Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), in: Alo Allkamper and Norbert Otto Eke, eds., Deutsche Dramatiker des 29. Jahrhunderts, Berlin: Erich Schmidt, 2002, pp. 267-86. PT667. D3
Peter Thomson and Glendyr Sacks, eds., The Cambridge Companion to Brecht, Cambridge: CUP, 1994 . PT2603. R41. A8. C2
Eric Bentley, The Brecht Commentaries 1943-1986, New York: Grove Press, 1987. PT2603. R41. A8. B3
Elizabeth Wright, Postmodern Brecht. A Re-Presentation, London, New York: Routledge, 1989. PT2603. R41. A8. W7
Peter Thomson and Glendyr Sacks, eds., The Cambridge Companion to Brecht, Cambridge: CUP, 1994. PT2603.R41.A8.C2
John Willett, Brecht in Context. Comparative Approaches, London, New York: Methuen, 1984. PT2603. R41. A8. W4