Medievalism in the 20th and 21st centuries (Seminar in englischer Sprache)
Medievalism has been defined as reappropriation of medieval themes, styles, philosophies in the post-medieval period. While medievalism was intricately tied with Romanticism in the nineteenth century, in the twentieth century, is has become eminently modern. Indeed, some critics postulate that the twenty-first century is a new Middle Ages. In this intermedial course we will explore medievalism in literature, music, painting, and especially in popular culture: contemporary music, cinema, spectacles and fairs, video games, etc.
In addition to some theoretical secondary texts, readings will include Rainer Maria Rilke (selected poems), T.S. Eliot, Murder in the Cathedral (1935), Jean Anouilh, L’Alouette (Die Lerche, 1952), J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings (1954-55), Umberto Eco, Il nome della Rose (The Name of the Rose, 1980), Ken Follett, Pillars of the Earth (1989). The reuse of medieval plainchant will be studied in compositions by Claude Debussy, Carl Orff (Carmina Burana), and Paul Hindemith (Mathis der Maler), as well as in popular music (including the Celtic Revival). Together we will select one or two films to study, one of which will be viewed outside of class time. The second part of the course will focus on medievalism in contemporary popular culture and political discourse and will enable students to better theorize the role, importance, and meaning of the Middle Ages in the twenty-first century. Additionally, they will gain expertise working in different disciplines.
Weekly sessions will be held via Zoom and students are encouraged to participate each week. Moodle will also be used. The readings, music, and film selections may be altered, depending on accessibility and availability, and this will be discussed the first day of class.
Students will be required to prepare presentations (short and longer, the latter of which may also be a group presentation) and complete short weekly writing assignments in English to improve their written expression and facilitate discussion. Discussion will be in English, and term papers may be written in English or in German.
- Kursleiter/in: Stephanie Glaser