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After centuries of feudal rule the Weimar period (1918-1933) proved a
truly liberating experience for writers ad artists who responded with an
outburst of creativity unparalleled until this day; it remains one of
the most vibrant periods in German arts, culture, literature, and music.
In this seminar we will explore major writers and trends during this
period. The emphasis will be on literature (with authors such as Brecht,
Döblin, Fallada, Feuchtwanger, Fleißer, Hesse, von Horvath, Keun,
Remarque, Tucolsky, and Zuckmayer) but we will also make forays into
arts (Dix, Grosz, Kollwitz), architechture (Bauhaus), music (Krenek, Schönbeerg,
and Weil), and film (Caligari, Metropolis, Berlin: die Sinfonie der Großstadt)
with the assistance of visiting experts from those fields. While "Neue
Sachlichkeit" was the dominating trend in the arts and literature
there also was a rising tide of literature, arts, and cultural criticism
on the left and on the right, which we also will examine. (The volkish-nationalistic
culture of the right became the dominating trend from 1933-1945 in
nazi-Germany; the leftist culture from 1949-1989/90 in the GDR) Oral
reports and a seminar paper. Taught in German. 1 unit. May
be repeated in separate semesters to a maximum of 3 units. TU,
3-4:50.
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