Course: German Cultural Studies: History - Lecture

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Course title German Cultural Studies: History - Lecture
Course code KGN/KP16
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Solomon Kristýna, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
The lecture "King Arthur and the Other Knight"s will present the most significant works on the Arthurian theme, including English and German literary classics, modern and postmodern literature, visual arts, opera, and film. 1 Introduction 2 Arthurian Legends in Europe 3-4 Hartmann von Aue: Erec and Iwein 5 Wolfram von Eschenbach: Parzival 6 Richard Wagner: Parsifal 7-8 The Tristan and Isolde Theme 9 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 10 Monty Python and the Holy Grail 11 Old Literature Recycled 12 Final Discussion 13 Test

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
Learning outcomes
1138 Geoffrey of Monmouth completes his monumental work Historia Regum Britanniae which includes a depiction of King Arthur´s life. The king and the Knights of the Round Table inspired many authors from medieval times onwards. The lecture focusses on both the milestones of King Arthur´s life whilst taking the participants on a virtual trip throughout England and his image in literature into account. The French 12th century author Chrétien de Troyes is regarded to be the founder of the Arthurian romance genre. This genre spread throughout Europe in the ensuing centuries. The most relevant representatives of the Arthurian theme, including both English and German literary monuments, pre/post-modern literature and art, opera and film shall be discussed in the lecture. Examples: Harrtmann von Aue: Erec/ Iwein; Wolfram von Eschenbach: Parzival// Wagner´s Parsival; Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; Tristan and Isolde; Monty Python´s Holy Grail
In this lecture, students will learn about the life of King Arthur and how he is portrayed in literature. They will become familiar with the Arthurian novel genre and gain knowledge of the most significant works on Arthurian themes.
Prerequisites
At least B2 level of English (the lecture will be held in English.)

Assessment methods and criteria
Mark, Written exam

Written test, 85% presence
Recommended literature
  • Archibald, Elizabeth, and Ad Putter, ed. he Cambridge Companion to the Arthurian Legend. Cambridge. 2009.
  • Goetz, Hans Werner. (2000). Proseminar Geschichte: Mittelalter. Stuttgart.
  • GROSSMAN, Lev. (2024). The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur. New York.
  • Lupack, Alan. The Oxford Guide to Arthurian Literature and Legend. Oxford. 2005.
  • Padberg, Lutz E. von. (2006). Christianisierung im Mittelalter. Darmstadt.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German Philology (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German for Translators and Interpreters (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German Philology (2022) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German Philology (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German for Translators and Interpreters (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German Philology (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): German for Translators and Interpreters (2019_24) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -