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	Feedback on Test and Look Ahead	course evaluation
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]