Thomas Mann (1875 -1955) is one of the finest and most fascinating German writers of the modern era. He is also one of the more controversial German cultural figures of the twentieth century. The module (two hours per week) provides an introduction to his methods and changing concerns as a writer and covers a broad range of textual, interpretative, literary and political questions. The module traces Thomas Mann's development as an author and explores in detail a representative selection of his shorter fiction. Texts prescribed will normally include Tristan (1903), Tonio Kröger (1903), Der Tod in Venedig (1912), Mario und der Zauberer (1929), and Bruder Hitler (1939).