German Studies 304: The German Fairy Tale: From World-Building to Nation-Building

Fairy tales are not just for children. They show us how daily life becomes magical, how national changes effect fantastical ones, and they allow us to observe literature’s transformations through the ages. This course explores German folk and fairy tales from the Grimms through the art fairy tales of the Romantics and up to modern day interpretations. We study the fairy tales in the historical context of the long nineteenth century as well as from a variety of academic perspectives. Students continue their linguistic and communicative development in this course with instruction in speaking, listening, and cultural competency with a focus on the development of advanced reading and writing skills. The language skills will be developed through regular readings, writing assignments, grammar exercises, student presentations, and discussion. Course taught in German. Offered every three years.