The course aims to describe Hermann Hesse's inner itinerary through some of his main works, starting from the first short novels up to some of his major works, often considered symbolic of new literary schemes and an aesthetic revolution in the sign of the emancipation of the individual in a time of crisis.

The following works by H. Hesse will be analyzed: Unterm Rad (1906), Knulp (1915), Klingsors letzter Sommer (1919), Demian (1919), Siddhartha (1922), Der Steppenwolf (1927), Narziss und Goldmund (1930) in order to find an unifying element representative of an interior landscape both of the author and of his time and in general of an existential dimension. Each student is required to know in full at least three of them, of his own choice.

Knowledge of the minimum qualifying elements and the main periods of German literature.

- Ability to understand and critically analyze historical-cultural-literary aspects and events, placing them within an overall cultural framework of historical, sociological development and social reflections.

- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student has the inter-cultural skills for the description and analysis of German culture and literature.

- Autonomy of judgment: the student possesses, through a wide spectrum of readings and references, critical skills that enable him to analyze and evaluate texts on cultural topics and can express autonomous opinions on socio-cultural issues concerning various historical periods, making a transference between different eras.

- Communication skills: ability to understand different realities and eras and use a sectoral language.

- Ability to acquire the methodological tools and bibliographic-critical skills necessary for one's field of study, even in intercultural and group environments.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Online handouts and databases prepared by the teacher.

Teaching

Lectures and seminars

Innovative teaching methods

In addition for attending students:

- drafting of written papers
- oral presentations
- participated lessons in which the presented works will be discussed

Attendance

There are no obligations, if not the observance of the vademecum program

Course books

For primary literature: three of the following works, possibly in original and in any edition:

Unterm Rad (Under the wheel)

Knulp

Klingsors letzter Sommer

Demian

Siddhartha, eine indische Dichtung

Der Steppenwolf

Narziss und Goldmund. Narziss und Goldmund (Narcissus and Goldmund) MOVIE (2020 film directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky. Free adaptation based on the 1930 novel by Hermann Hesse Narcissus and Goldmund), available on RaiPlay

Critical literature:

B. Zeller, Hermann Hesse, Hamburg, 1963 (it. transl.: Hermann Hesse. La biografia, Milano, 1973))

R. Freedman, Hermann Hesse. Pilgrim of Crisis, London, 1978 (it transl. Hermann Hesse. Viaggio attraverso la crisi del nostro secolo, MIlano, 1984)

F. Masini, Hermann Hesse e l'utopia del non possesso, in: id., Gli schiavi di Efesto, Roma, 1981 (pp. 230-311)

E. Banchelli, Hermann Hesse, Milan, 1988

M. Versari, Un percorso iniziatico in Hermann Hesse, Bologna, 1999

L. Renzi, Hermann Hesse. In: A. Venturelli, L’età del moderno. La letteratura tedesca del primo Novecento (1900 – 1933), Roma, 2009 (pp. 213-221)

M. Specchio, Introduzione a: H. Hesse, Knulp. Tre storie dalla vita di Knulp, Venezia, 1989

Consultation of the following parts of literary history is recommended:

V. Zmegac, Z. Skreb, L. Sekulic, Breve storia della letteratura tedesca, Torino, 1995

L. Mittner, Storia della letteratura tedesca, Torino, 1978, vol. III, 2, Dal fine secolo alla sperimentazione.

Assessment

Oral or written exam. Small thesis

Attending students can make use of an essay, to be carried out individually during the course and delivered before the end of it, according to the criteria described by the teacher. It will be evaluated by the teacher, after its presentation, with a mark of thirty and will integrate the oral exam at 50%. Those who declare themselves attending must ensure attendance of at least two thirds of the lessons.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students are required to observe the program of the vademecum and to verify the historical and cultural contexts through the network or other methods. They are also required to visit the page on Blended Learning Uniurb for more study materials.

Attendance

There are no obligations, if not the observance of the vademecum program

Course books

Same as those attending

Assessment

Oral exam

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

It should be remembered that a CFU approximates the measurement of the hours of commitment dedicated by the student to the training activity equal to 25 hours (lessons, seminars, practice, work at home). This course is equivalent to 8 CFU, that is to 200 hours of total activity: if the hours of attendance in class are not included within this amount, it will be integrated with autonomous activities of the same additional duration.

Part of the course will be taught in German. The students can request to sit the final exam in German with an alternative bibliography.

Teil des Kurses wird auf Deutsch gehalten werden. Die StudentInnen können auf Nachfrage die Prüfung in deutscher Sprache mit einer Alternativbibliographie halten.