SCCC 361P: Hesse Spiritual Journey
(In most afternoons, 1-4,
or MWF mornings, 8:30-11; drop by or by appt.)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course will trace the development of the life and thought of Hermann Hesse, primarily through five of his novels. Additional materials will be referred to, to gain a wider understanding of Hesse's story. These will include reports on his other novels, his poems, essays, art, letters and various auto-biographical sources. Influences such as Nietzsche and Schleiermacher will be considered, along with Hesse's life-long fascination with Eastern spirituality. His correspondence with three noted contemporaries, Carl Jung, Romain Rolland and Thomas Mann, will be explored as well, to give additional perspective on the times and place in which Hesse lived.
Many of his literary work has to do with the theme of coming of age. Hesse was vitally concerned with that period of life, and students of the last several decades have continued to identify with some of his characters in their spiritual quest. But his further reflections on other life passages seem also to have a perennial appeal. Perhaps you will find him a challenging companion as you trace your own spiritual journey.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The course will be conducted as a seminar, with each member being an active participant, though discussion and reporting on materials beyond the five assigned novels.
Grades will be determined as follows:
- Five brief in-class essays, each following one of the novels, totaling 20% of the course grade.
- Two class presentations, each shared with another person, and accompanied by a one or two page outline or synopsis of the material. 20% each.
- A 6-8 page paper on some theme growing out of the Hesse corpus, to be chosen by each student. 20%.
- A personal spiritual journal, submitted twice. 20%.
- General class participation and contribution as an additional variable, to be weighed with above factors.
Tentative course Schedule:
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Aug. 25
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Introduction, video on Hesse
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Sept. 1
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Early letters; Gertrude
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Sept. 8
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Gertrude; reports on "Berthold", "Friends"
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Sept. 15
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Reports on Peter Camenzind, Beneath the Wheel; Demian
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Sept. 22
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Demian; Report on Rosshalde
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Sept. 29
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Fairy Tales; each person reports on one of two assigned
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Oct. 6
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Report on Serrano (Hesse and Jung); other letters
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Oct. 13
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Report on Hesse-Romain Rolland correspondence; Siddhartha
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Oct. 20
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Siddhartha: Viewing of film, Siddhartha
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Oct. 27
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Hesse's Poems; report on Pictor's Metamorphosis
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Nov. 3
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Report on Steppenwolf; Narcissus and Goldmund
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Nov. 10
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Narcissus and Goldmund; Report on Hesse-Thomas Mann correspondence
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Nov. 17
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Report on Glass Bead Game; Journey to the East
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Nov. 24
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THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!!
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Dec. 1
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Journey to the East; letters, poems, conclusions
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Dec. 6
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Papers due
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back to French page
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