Course Description

GERMN 241 German Fairy Tales  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq or co-req:  Engl 120.

Fulfills "Creative Expression" or GER 2/C. Fulfills Pluralism & Diversity Group D. Winter session sections are NOT writing intensive.

Fairy tales are known all over the world.  The most famous European book of fairy tales is the one collected by the Brothers Grimm.  These stories have entered our collective unconscious but are not easily explained.  We shall look at various attempts at explaining what fairy tales are all about, look at older stories that served as models for the Brothers Grimm and study modern versions of the tales including scenes from Walt Disney movies and “politically correct fairy tales.” Students will read fairy tales, tell one that they know, and there will ber regular written assignments, a midterm and a final examination.  All readings, discussions and written work will be in English.                       

Textbooks: Jack Zipes, The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, ISBN 978-0553382167 
                  Joanna Cole, The Best-Loved Folktales of the World, ISBN 978-0318796482 
                 or ISBN 9780385189491