Kafka: Fremd, vertraut, faszinierend

Structurally:
Kafka: Fremd, vertraut, faszinierend is a eight-week German literature and conversation course for learners at the B1–C1 level who want to explore the life, work, and ideas of Franz Kafka while practicing their German. Through selected short stories, excerpts, letters, photographs, and other authentic materials, students will become familiar with Kafka’s literary world and the historical and cultural context in which he wrote. The course will introduce students to some of Kafka’s best-known works.

Functionally:
Students will use Kafka’s literature as a starting point for reading, listening, discussion, and interpretation. Through short literary texts, guided questions, historical and biographical materials, and group conversations, students will practice describing characters and situations, expressing interpretations, discussing themes, comparing perspectives, and supporting opinions with examples from the text. Topics may include identity, family, work, bureaucracy, isolation, authority, and the experience of modern life. Materials and discussions may also be adapted to the interests and questions of the group.

Course Dates, Location, & Time:
This is an in-person class that meets for 8 weeks on Monday from 6:30–8:30pm at the GAI. Each class session will include a selection of German-language literary and cultural materials, vocabulary activities, guided reading, and discussion. Come ready to discover Kafka’s strange, fascinating world, share your interpretations, and practice your German!

Course Materials:
Selected works by Franz Kafka, excerpts from his letters and diaries, biographical and historical texts, photographs, short videos, and other authentic German-language materials will be provided by the instructor. Students may be asked to read a short literary text or excerpt before class to prepare for discussion.

Prerequisites:
This course is intended for German learners at approximately the B1–C1 level. Students should have a basic ability to communicate and discuss ideas in German. Because the course focuses on literature, reading, and conversation, students should be prepared to participate actively in German at their individual level. No previous experience studying Kafka or German literature is required.

Minimum Enrollment:
If there are too few students registered to run the class, the Director of Language Education will contact the student(s) in the week prior to the course start date to discuss other class options.

Questions?
Contact our Language Education Department at [email protected].