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Franz Kafka and the Knowledge of Modernity
Franz Kafka und das Wissen der Moderne
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:38:25
Abstract
Kafka's texts are considered enigmatic, ambiguous, even uninterpretable. We want to understand them anew by reading them as dialogues with the major scientific, political, economic and cultural discourses of his time. Marxism, psychoanalysis, Zionism, Spiritism - the entire knowledge of modernity is negotiated in these so rich texts.
Objective
1) Students are acquainted with Kafka's texts; 2) students are familiar with the historical, cultural and political contexts of Kafka's work; 3) students gain insight in Kafka's process of writing; 4) students gain insight into the nature of knowledge of Kafka's texts.
Content
The texts of Franz Kafka (who died exactly one hundred years ago) are considered by many to be enigmatic, ambiguous, even uninterpretable. In the lecture we want to understand them anew by reading them as dialogues with the great scientific, political, economic, cultural and literary discourses of his time. Marxism, psychoanalysis, Zionism, spiritualism, etc. - the entire knowledge of modernity is negotiated in these so rich texts. According to the thesis, their ambiguity comes from this special richness. Kafka's texts are therefore, so to speak, seismographs of his epoch. This also requires asking in what special way these texts can achieve this. One answer is that Kafka reads while he writes, i.e. he interlaces reading and writing and in this way bringsthe knowledge of modernity into his texts.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , DR , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Franz Kafka und das Wissen der Moderne |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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Doctorate Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (More Information at: )