2006-07 BM1 Introduction to Literature, Part 1

Course Outline

1	Oct. 24, 2006	Approaching the Question: “What Is Literature?” Different definitions and a look at the term in changing his-torical contexts.
2	Oct. 31, 2006	The Rise of Literature I — A Discourse which Appropriated other Discourses. Not synonyms: The terms "literature", "belles letters", "poesy" and "fiction" (focussing on developments of the 17th and 18th centuries).	presentation further reading
3	Nov. 7, 2006	The Rise of Literature II — The Success of the Pluralistic National Discourse: From early histories of poesy to modern histories of literature (focussing on developments of the 19th and 20th centuries)	presentation
4	Nov. 14, 2006	Tutorial Sessions
5	Nov. 21, 2006	Models for the Periodization of Literature — How the past was constructed in literary history.	presentation further reading
6	Nov. 28, 2006	The Definition of Genres I — Poets and the Art of Poetry	presentation
7	Dec. 5, 2006	The Definition of Genres II — Dramatic Theory and Theatrical Practice	presentation
8	Dec. 12, 2006	The Definition of Genres III — Fiction and the Book Market	presentation further reading
9	Dec. 19, 2006	The Satanic Verses (1988) — Case study of the reception of Salman Rushdie's novel.	presentation
10	Jan. 9, 2007	Communication, Literary and Non-Literary — A Recapitulation	presentation
11	Jan. 16, 2007	Tutorial Sessions	materials
12	Jan. 23, 2007	Written Test	test
13	Jan. 30, 2007	(Course Evaluation.) - Feedback on Test and Look Ahead
14	Feb. 6, 2007	Conclusion: Literature - the Ongoing Open Discussion Recent Trends in literary theory from poststructuralism to the present.	presentation

Recommended Reading

• Olaf Simons, Marteaus Europa oder der Roman, bevor der Literatur wurde (Amsterdam, 2001) link for a short history of our concept of literature]