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Literature and Technology
Literatur und Technik
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:41
Abstract
There are many references between literature and technology. This is already shown by terms such as "technology", "apparatus" and "automaton", which address procedures in art. Particularly since industrialisation, literature has been negotiating the mechanisation of the world. The seminar will discuss the history of technology in literature and the critical literary negotiation.
Objective
- Basic concepts of literary theory as techniques of literature - Basic terms of the philosophy and history of technology - Critical analysis of modern history of technology in the mirror of modern literature
Content
At first glance, literature and technology seem to be conceivably alien to each other: the purposeless intellectual world of fictional imagination is opposed by the purpose-oriented processes of machine production. A closer look reveals, however, that there are multiple references between the two. On a theoretical level, this is due to the original meaning of the term "technology" as "art", whereby the literature can be more precisely defined as "linguistic art" and can be differentiated through the development of writing and media techniques into the digital age. Other technical terms such as “machine”, “apparatus” and “machine” also imply far-reaching aesthetic aspects. Yet the connection between literature and technology is not only justifiable theoretically (or aesthetically), but also historically. Literature negotiates the increasing mechanization of the world, especially since industrialization, be it affirmative or critical. Literature thus proves to be a reflection medium of the technical age. In the seminary, the technical history of literature is examined on the one hand, and the literary negotiation of the history of technology in the age of technology on the other.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , DR , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 35
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Literatur und Technik |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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GESS Science in Perspective (Only the topics listed in this paragraph can be chosen as GESS Science in Perspective. Further below you will find the "type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. 6 ECTS need to be acquired during the BA and 2 ECTS during the MA Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (Suitable for all students. Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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Doctoral Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (More Information at: )