Undergraduate Course: Franz Kafka: From Prague to Scotland (ELCG08018)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course explores the literature of Franz Kafka, one of the most influential German-language writers of all time. It introduces students to a selection of his works in their cultural context. It prepares them for Honours-level study and future careers by developing their reading comprehension in German, close reading skills, methods of cultural analysis, and oral and written communication. |
| Course description |
This course examines the literary works of Franz Kafka (1883-1924) in the context of the multicultural history and society of Prague and Central Europe in the first decades of the twentieth century. It explores Kafka's continuing relevance as one of the most influential writers in the history of world literature, reaffirmed by a fresh wave of translations, adaptations, studies, exhibitions, and celebrations since the centenary of his death in 2024. The course also introduces students to Kafka's first English-language translators, Willa and Edwin Muir, a pioneering Scottish couple instrumental in setting Kafka's global circulation and canonization into motion.
The course prepares students for Honours-level study by gradually improving their reading comprehension in German and developing their skills of literary and cultural analysis and interpretation. This is achieved through an in-depth study of a range of Kafka's short but richly layered prose pieces, culminating in a multi-faceted exploration of his iconic short story 'Das Urteil'. The course puts Kafka's writings in context by introducing students to a variety of historical sources (including letters, photographs, and official documents) that allow us to reconstruct his social and cultural environment.
The topics studied are likely to include:
- An Introduction to Franz Kafka
- Family Life: 'Grosser Lärm'
- Prague around 1900: 'Die Sorge des Hausvaters'
- Other Worlds: 'Wunsch, Indianer zu werden' and 'Eine kaiserliche Botschaft'
- The Law of Interpretation: 'Vor dem Gesetz'
- Crisis of Authority: 'Ein Landarzt 1'
- Gender and Sexuality: 'Ein Landarzt' 2
- Crime and Punishment: 'Das Urteil' 1
- Structures of Power: 'Das Urteil' 2
- Technologies of Modernity: 'Das Urteil' 3
- Kafka in Scotland: First English Translations by Willa and Edwin Muir
Students are expected to read short set texts each week. Classes are taught through a combination of mini-lectures, work in pairs, and group discussion. In their two course assessments, students are expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classes to new research tasks. The end-of-semester summative assessment is a short academic essay, while the mid-semester summative assessment uses a format more appropriate for the creative and cultural industries, so students can practice presenting their ideas in different contexts, both within and outside the university. The Course Organiser will draw on her experience as a freelance writer and cultural commentator, including speaking and writing about Kafka on BBC Radio and in the Guardian, to coach students on how they can successfully communicate research ideas in their future careers outside of the university.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Available to students with German as a named part of their degree or, in exceptional circumstances, to students with commensurate background in German language and culture. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Appropriate German-language skills (equivalent to CERF B1)
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| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
76 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% Coursework
Mid-semester summative assessment: a recorded oral presentation of c. 5 minutes, prepared in pairs, on a chosen item (document, photograph, object, etc.) for a collaborative online gallery, explaining how it sheds light on Kafka's work (30%)
End-of-semester summative assessment: an essay of c. 1,250 words, on a topic from a list of set questions combining close reading with cultural context (70%)
The following Learning Outcomes are met by each of the two assessments:
Summative Presentation meets LOs 2, 3, and 5.
Summative Essay meets LOs 1, 2, 3, and 4. |
| Feedback |
Students will receive written feedback on both assessments. The feedback on the first assessment will be received several weeks in advance of the deadline for second assessment. Students will also be encouraged to meet with the Course Organiser during drop-in hours or at another pre-arranged time for verbal feedback in advance of, and following, assessment submission. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Apply close reading skills to a range of complex literary sources in German
- Select and analyze other types of sources (textual, visual, material, etc.) to contextualize literary texts
- Construct clear and coherent arguments about the history, society, and culture of Central Europe in the first decades of the twentieth century, based on literary and non-literary sources
- Present their research in written form for academic audiences
- Present their research in oral form for non-academic audiences
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
By the end of this course, students will have:
- Curiosity for learning that makes a positive difference;
- Courage to expand and fulfil their potential;
- Passion to engage locally and globally.
They will be:
- Creative problem solvers and researchers;
- Critical and reflective thinkers;
- Effective and influential contributors;
- Skilled communicators. |
| Keywords | Franz Kafka,Literature,Culture,Austria-Hungary,Central Europe,Close Reading |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Karolina Watroba
Tel:
Email: Karolina.Watroba@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | |
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