From October 10 to November 9, 2015, Hans Feger, a German professor from Free University of Berlin conducted a series of lectures on “Text Hermeneutics” in Institute of German Studies, School of International Studies. Junior and senior students, as well as master’s and doctoral students majoring in German Language and Literature attended these lectures. Prof. Feger, with integrated teaching methods, e.g. discussions, presentations and reports, guided students to read classical texts in German literature based on literary theories, and discussed the methodology of text hermeneutics. The lectures enhanced students’ textual understanding and analysis, as well as logical reasoning.
During the four-week intensive teaching, Prof. Feger began with a discussion concerning the very basic question—why literature research is a kind of science. Then, he instructed the students to read and appreciate classics of different genres in German literature, exploring the differences among poetry, drama and novels in terms of forms, expression patterns and space. Next, Prof. Feger focused the methodology of literature research. He explained and demonstrated integrated methods and theoretical perspectives of literature research, e.g. hermeneutics, structuralism, social history, psycho-analysis, reception aesthetics, discourse analysis, literary semiotics, literary anthropology and deconstructionism. The students were involved in class practices—analyzing texts based on literary theories, making their book reports and presentations and discussing with classmates and teachers.
Prof. Feger has long devoted to interdisciplinary studies of literature and philosophy, and has made many publications in theoretical research in literature and art. Moreover, Prof. Feger is a lover and advocator of Chinese culture. During the lectures, he encouraged the students to have an intercultural perspective, so they could understand and appreciate literary works better by cultural comparison as well as learn how the theories of literature and art interpret cultural texts. Professor Fan Jieping, coordinator of the lectures, and Liu Yongqiang, teaching assistant, both actively participated in teaching and class discussions. They facilitated the interaction between Prof. Feger and students, and helped students adapt to the new mode of teaching and discussion by encouraging them to raise questions, voice opinions and join in discussions.
This was the first time Prof. Feger had conducted lectures on text hermeneutics in Zhejiang University. It was not only a new endeavor and breakthrough, but also an opportunity for students to enhance their interest in German literature studies and pursue knowledge. Many students expressed their gratitude for they had benefitted a lot from the lectures, and they hoped that such lectures could also be offered in following semesters.
Institute of German Studies
Nov.10, 2015
