The Weimar Republic, Germany’s first democracy, was a period of prolific creativity in literature.  Writers portrayed topics such as changing perceptions of gender, new sexual freedom, poverty and inequality, and the rise of fascism.  In this course we’ll read works by authors including Bertolt Brecht, Thomas Mann, Marieluise Fleißer, Erich Kästner, and Irmgard Keun.  We’ll start with shorter, easier texts (poetry, a musical play), then short stories, and build skill toward reading novels in the latter part of the semester.  Students will write short essays, a midterm, and a final.