Kafka: Literature, Law, and Power
GRST 251
Spring 2012
| Section:
01
|
| Crosslisting:
COL 251 |
Elias Canetti claimed that among all writers Kafka was "the greatest expert on power." In this course we will focus on Kafka's narratives of power relations. We will read and discuss Kafka's sometimes painfully precise descriptions of how power is exerted in the family and in personal relationships, and how discipline is exercised over the body. We will also consider Kafka's depictions of physical violence and of apparatuses and institutions of power, and the ethical and political implications of these depictions. The working hypothesis of this course is that Kafka not only tells stories about power, but that his stories also contain an implicit theory of how power works in modern society. |
|
Essential Capabilities:
Interpretation, Writing
Interpretation: Through careful analysis of literary tests, this course deals primarily with problems of interpretation and understanding.
Writing: By means of regular reading responses, students will practice and improve the written articulation of their literary interpretations.
|
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA GRST |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
|
Fulfills a Requirement for: (COL)(CSCT)(GRST-MN)(GRST) |
|
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 | | Special Attributes: FYI |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Franz Kafka, KAFKA'S SELECTED STORIES, ed. Stanley Corngold (W. W. Norton) ISBN 0393924793
Franz Kafka, THE TRIAL, trans. Breon Mitchell (Schocken) ISBN 0805209999
Franz Kafka, THE CASTLE, trans. Mark Harman (Schocken) ISBN 0805211063
Franz Kafka, AMERIKA: THE MISSING PERSON, trans. Mark Harman (Schocken), ISBN 0805211616
|
Examinations and Assignments:
Weekly short essays; active course participation is essential. |
| Instructor(s): Plass,Ulrich Times: ..T.R.. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: FISK314; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: X | JR major: X | | |
| Seats Available: 1 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: 19 |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 0 |
|
|