Topics in Prose Fiction: Infamous Lovers: Knowledge and Desire in German Culture

Through close readings of enduring and contemporary works of German literature and culture this seminar will explore transgressive, requited, passionate, sexual love across the centuries, its historical and social locatedness, and the concepts of art and knowledge each work develops that orient the loving subject in the world. How do concepts of knowledge and desire change across time? What is to be gained by focusing on German texts? What philosophical and conceptual frameworks and terms can sharpen our analysis? All readings and discussion in German.