Topic: Medieval German Novels and the Invention of Adventure

* This course is a 2nd 8-weeks class.

In this course, we will read some of the most famous novels of the
Middle Ages. These texts provide fertile ground for the development of
the first Western concept of adventure, a field in which modern
ideologies of adventure, fulfillment, self-realization and
risk-management are staked out. This will also be the field covered by
our discussions.

In this course, students will learn not only to interpret a medieval
tale but also about the function of medieval media (such as
story-telling). Furthermore, we will identify artistic, intellectual
and religious themes that are closely linked to modern attempts to
pursue happiness and present-day visions of individual and collective
life.