Course Description
In this course we will read the first three of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s four novels: The Sufferings of Young Werther (1774), Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship (1795) and The Elective Affinities (1809). Each of these novels represents not only an epochal shift in Goethe’s art; each also marks a watershed in the history of the novel. Werther condenses into an emotional punch of less than two hundred pages the entire tradition of the sentimental novel. It was this novel that Napoleon wished to discuss with the German poet when they meet in 1808. With Wilhem Meister, Goethe established the genre of the Bildungsroman, the novel of formation that tracks the intellectual growth of its protagonist and with it the emergent self-consciousness of the bourgeoise. The response to the novel by Goethe’s Romantic contemporaries contributed to nothing less than the establishment of modern literary criticism, and the genre’s influence can be felt in such twentieth-century masterpieces as Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain and James Joyce’s Portrait of an Artist. The Elective Affinities marks the advent of Goethe’s allusive, symbolically charged late style. Taking as its guiding figure of thought the laws of chemical combinations, the novel explores the nature of marriage, infidelity, and the mystery of human attraction. Class time will be devoted to close reading and discussion of these three novels.
Prerequisites:
No prerequisites. Taught by a Basic Program instructor, this course is open to all interested students.
Required Texts
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Sufferings of Young Werther, translated by Stanley Korngold (W. W. Norton & Company) ISBN: 978-0393935561
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, translated by Eric A. Blackall (Princeton University Press) ISBN: 0691259143
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Elective Affinities, translated by David Constantine (Oxford World Classics) ISBN: 978-0199555369
Frequently Asked Questions
Review common questions about our courses. You can also contact us for more information.
Do we take assessments in these courses?
Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.
How can I best prepare for class?
Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works: How to Read Classic Texts. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.
Do I have to complete an application?
Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.
Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?
Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.
What happens if I have to miss a class?
Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.
What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?
You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues here. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.
Will this course be offered online or in person?
The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
What happens if I miss a class?
While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered. In-person classes are not recorded.
I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?
If you need to drop a course, please email us at graham@learningplatform.support to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.
Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.
How do I access my course after registration?
Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date. You’ll log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out our helpful video tutorial.
I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?
If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our registration tips page. You can also email our support team at graham@learningplatform.support. You will receive a response within 24 hours.