Encyclopedia Of German Literature

Designed to provide English readers of German literature the opportunity to familiarize themselves with both the established canon and newly emerging literatures that reflect the concerns of women and ethnic minorities, the Encyclopedia of German Literature includes more than 500 entries on writers, individual work, and topics essential to an understanding of this rich literary tradition. Drawing on the expertise of an international group of experts, the essays in the encyclopedia reflect developments of the latest scholarship in German literature, culture, and history and society. In addition to the essays, author entries include biographies and works lists; and works entries provide information about first editions, selected critical editions, and English-language translations. All entries conclude with a list of further readings.

Today, a multiplicity of feminist approaches has become an integral part of the fields of German literary and cultural studies. This comprehensive reference provides a much needed synthesis of the contribution women have made to German literature and culture. In entries for more than 500 topics, the volume surveys literary periods, epochs, and genres; critical approaches and theories; important authors and works; female stereotypes; laws and historical developments; literary concepts and themes; and organizations and archives relevant to women and women's studies. Each entry offers a concise identification of the term, a discussion of its significance, and a bibliography of works for further reading. Today, a multiplicity of feminist approaches has become an integral part of the fields of German literary and cultural studies. While biographical works on women writers exist, this is the first reference to synthesize the wealth of feminist scholarship in German studies. While existing reference works focus exclusively on women authors, this volume contains numerous topical entries and covers the role of women in German literature and culture from the Middle Ages to the present day. Included are alphabetically arranged entries on more than 500 topics. While some entries are provided for important women writers and other individuals, the bulk of the volume provides information on literary periods, epochs, and genres; critical approaches and theories; female stereotypes; laws and historical developments; literary concepts and themes; and organizations and archives relevant to women and women's studies. Each entry includes a brief identification of the subject, a discussion of feminist thought on the topic, and a brief bibliography. Entries are written by numerous contributors and reflect a range of critical/theoretical approaches.

With more than 1,100 entries written by an international group of over 150 contributors, the Encyclopedia of Contemporary German Culture brings together myriad strands of social, political and cultural life in the post-1945 German-speaking world. With a unique structure and format, an inclusive treatment of the concept of culture, and coverage of East, West and post-unification Germany, as well as Austria and Switzerland, the Encyclopedia of Contemporary German Culture is the first reference work of its kind. Containing longer overviews of up to 2,000 words, as well as shorter factual entries, cross-referencing to other relevant articles, useful further reading suggestions and extensive indexing, this highly useable volume provides the scholar, teacher, student or non-specialist with an astonishing breadth and depth of information.

Calvin Thomas (October 28, 1854, near Lapeer, Michigan - November 4, 1919, New York City) was an American scholar who served as professor of Germanic languages and literature at Columbia University. Thomas graduated from the University of Michigan in 1874 with an A.B. He taught Latin and Greek at the Grand Rapids High School for a while, after which he studied philology at the University of Leipzig in Germany in 1877/8. His studies ended abruptly when he responded to a request from the University of Michigan to return to its halls and teach German there.[1] In 1886 he became professor of Germanic languages at Michigan. In 1896, he moved to fill the same chair at Columbia University. Professor Thomas did much to introduce the study of German into US public schools. He was president of the Modern Language Association of America from 1896 to 1897, and of the American Dialect Society from 1912 to 1913. He was also involved in the simplified spelling movement and was chair of Theodore Roosevelt's Simplified Spelling Board. The University of Michigan gave him an LL.D. in 1904. In addition, he was an editor and contributing editor of the Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia and Dictionary in the early 20th century. After his first wife, Mary J. Sutton of Lapeer, died the year they were married (1880), he married Mary Eleanor Allen of Grand Rapids in 1884. They had two children.

This A-Z encyclopedia covers the Middle Ages in Germany. It offers the most recent scholarship available, while also providing details on the daily life of medieval Germans.

The unification of the two German states changed the geo-political, economic, social, and cultural borders of Germany and Europe. This volume in three parts researches how East German and West German authors and directors reacted to these radical changes. The basis of this research are fictional, autobiographical, journalistic, and cinematic texts. The authors and directors presented in this volume not only comment on the changes which they themselves experienced but also voice their changing attitudes to their own past within the divided Germany.