UW-Milwaukee: L&S Freshman Scholars Seminars

Fall 2008 Seminars

German

Monsters of Knowledge (Full)

Jennifer Watson, Associate Professor

From early on, we are all taught that knowledge is a good thing: it can bring us happiness, wisdom, and even wealth. We are encouraged to pursue knowledge, to learn as much as we can, to be "good students" and "life long learners." Is there a point, though, when knowledge can be bad? Are there things we should not know? Can we limit the knowledge humanity is allowed to pursue? And if we chose not to limit--to pursue all knowledge--is there a price to pay? And is that price worth it, even if the result is a figurative or literal monster?

The discussion of knowledge and humanity is one that dates back to the Bible, if not farther, and extends into the present with debates on such topics as nuclear weapons and genetic cloning. In this course, we will examine literary and cinematic portrayals of the pursuit of knowledge, discussing various renditions of the story of Adam and Eve, Faust, and Frankenstein. We will also explore more modern renditions of this topic, such as in Galileo Galilei, Smilla's Sense of Snow and Blueprint.

Jenny Watson received her M.A. in German Literature and Linguistics and her Ph.D. in German and Scandinavian Language and Literature from the University of Illinois/U-C. She greatly enjoys working with students and teaches courses ranging from German grammar to "Murder Under the Midnight Sun" (the Scandinavian detective novel). She is the coordinator of both the German and Scandinavian Studies Certificate as well as the study abroad advisor for both programs. Her research focuses on the literary dialogue between German and Sweden, specifically in the early 20th Century. Presently she is working on an article about the banning of Swedish books in Nazi Germany. When she's not at work, she is hanging out with her kids, walking her dog or cooking with her husband (or rather, eating what her husband cooks!).

Number: GER 1942, SEM 002
Credits: 3HU
Time: TR 2:00pm-3:15pm
Place: MER 111
Class Number: 60198

© College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Freshman Scholars Program, PO Box 413, Holton Hall G18, Milwaukee, WI 53201
Send your questions and comments to L&S Web Team
Last Updated: June 30, 2008


Humanities Africology Celtic Studies Communication Comparative Literature English Ethnic Studies German History Italian Philosophy Women's Studies Natural Science Atmospheric Sciences Biological Sciences Geociences Physics Social Science Africology Anthropology Economics Political Science Psychology Sociology Cultural Diversity English		Fall 2008 Seminars German Monsters of Knowledge (Full) Jennifer Watson, Associate Professor From early on, we are all taught that knowledge is a good thing: it can bring us happiness, wisdom, and even wealth. We are encouraged to pursue knowledge, to learn as much as we can, to be "good students" and "life long learners." Is there a point, though, when knowledge can be bad? Are there things we should not know? Can we limit the knowledge humanity is allowed to pursue? And if we chose not to limit--to pursue all knowledge--is there a price to pay? And is that price worth it, even if the result is a figurative or literal monster? The discussion of knowledge and humanity is one that dates back to the Bible, if not farther, and extends into the present with debates on such topics as nuclear weapons and genetic cloning. In this course, we will examine literary and cinematic portrayals of the pursuit of knowledge, discussing various renditions of the story of Adam and Eve, Faust, and Frankenstein. We will also explore more modern renditions of this topic, such as in Galileo Galilei, Smilla's Sense of Snow and Blueprint. Jenny Watson received her M.A. in German Literature and Linguistics and her Ph.D. in German and Scandinavian Language and Literature from the University of Illinois/U-C. She greatly enjoys working with students and teaches courses ranging from German grammar to "Murder Under the Midnight Sun" (the Scandinavian detective novel). She is the coordinator of both the German and Scandinavian Studies Certificate as well as the study abroad advisor for both programs. Her research focuses on the literary dialogue between German and Sweden, specifically in the early 20th Century. Presently she is working on an article about the banning of Swedish books in Nazi Germany. When she's not at work, she is hanging out with her kids, walking her dog or cooking with her husband (or rather, eating what her husband cooks!). Number: GER 1942, SEM 002 Credits: 3HU Time: TR 2:00pm-3:15pm Place: MER 111 Class Number: 60198 Check current enrollment information.
		Fall 2008 Freshman Seminars Freshman Scholars Program \| Freshman Advising Undergraduate Admissions \| Registration
© College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Freshman Scholars Program, PO Box 413, Holton Hall G18, Milwaukee, WI 53201 Send your questions and comments to L&S Web Team Last Updated: June 30, 2008