This course will undertake a close reading of Kafka's parables, letters, and short stories as well as The Trial to understand the relationship between literature, law, and justice.  We will consider as well some key commentators on his work, including Walter Benjamin, Theodor Adorno, Hannah Arendt, and Jacques Derrida.

To gain permission for this course, you must be a graduate student enrolled in UC Berkeley and write a letter of application to complitga@berkeley.edu by November 20th.  That letter should be one page single-spaced and include your background in literary studies, your proficiency in German (not required), and your own reasons for wishing to take this course.

Enrollment will be restricted to 18 students. show less