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Students are familiar with basic theoretical positions on the subject of realism, memory and historiography; they can critically reflect on artistic representations of reality.

What is, and what was? Literary and other artistic works, including photographs, react to the demands of their time: they create visions, comment and interpret, they bear witness and at the same time tell invented stories. The fictitious reality with all its pitfalls will be visualised in the course on the basis of theoretical foundations and debates.

Among the topics for discussion are: Roman Jakobson Über den Realismus in der Kunst. Roland Barthes Der Diskurs der Geschichte; Der Wirklichkeitseffekt. Die helle Kammer. Hayden White Metahistory. Paul Ricoeur Zeit und Erzählung.

The theoretical positions are to be illustrated with examples, mainly from the Eastern European region. Suggestions from the students are always welcome.

Input by the seminar leader, precise preparatory reading of theoretical texts by all participants, active discussion, reflection and application of the theories through a written paper.

active participation, short written paper