Studies in Literary Theory

Studies in Literary Theory

Imagination, Fantasy, 'Einbildungskraft'
Course Number: 
250 (Combined with German 256)
Course Type or Level: 
Instructor: 
Niklaus Largier
Days: 
Tu
Time: 
5-8
Semester: 
Location: 
183 Dwinelle

In this seminar we will discuss the significance of the notions and concepts of the imagination in philosophical and literary traditions. We will start with a discussion of basic texts by Plato and Aristotle; move on to the treatment of the imagination in classical rhetoric; and focus on four key areas where imagination, fantasy, and ‘Einbildungskraft’ play a significant role: the so-called mystical tradition up to Jacob Böhme; Baroque cultures of the imagination; poetic imagination in the 18th and 19th centuries; and 20th century philosophical approaches. The reading list will include texts by Plato, Aristotle, Quintilian, Ignatius of Loyola, Lohenstein, Böhme, Malebranche, Kant, Addison, Goethe, Moritz, Flaubert, Sartre, and Foucault.