MVV359K Kafka and the Law

Faculty of Law
Spring 2023
Extent and Intensity
0/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Paul Von Blum (seminar tutor), prof. JUDr. Ing. Michal Radvan, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
prof. JUDr. Ing. Michal Radvan, Ph.D.
Faculty of Law
Contact Person: Mgr. Věra Redrupová, B.A.
Supplier department: Faculty of Law
Timetable of Seminar Groups
MVV359K/01: Mon 27. 3. 16:00–17:40 041, 18:00–19:40 041, Tue 28. 3. 16:00–17:40 041, 18:00–19:40 041, Wed 29. 3. 18:00–19:40 041, Thu 30. 3. 18:00–19:40 041, P. Von Blum
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 38/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Franz Kafka was one of the most powerful literary figures of the 20th century. A lifelong resident of Prague, he wrote in German and was educated there, receiving a law degree from the German branch of Charles University in 1906. He worked throughout his short adult life as a practicing lawyer at the Workmen’s institute for the Kingdom of Bohemia in Prague. As a lawyer, he helped to bring about improvements in accident prevention for workers, among other responsibilities. Throughout his legal career, he wrote numerous documents beyond his literary masterpieces. He was also fluent in Czech. Many of Kafka’s works are relevant a century later to contemporary law students. This mini-course will introduce Kafka in a law school setting and explore some of his themes that relate to law, the legal process, the judiciary, and the legal profession. All that will reveal why we use the term “Kafkaesque” in modern discourse. Franz Kafka, of course, addressed themes far beyond the law, and this course will touch upon some of them briefly, but most are beyond the scope of the present course.
Syllabus
  • Initial Themes
  • It’s not possible to delve into Kafka’s classic novel The Trial because of the limitations of time. I have excerpted small sections from the novel and from “Letter to His Father,” which provide a good sense of Kafka’s critical and satirical vision of law and legal education. I will also provide a brief overall summary of The Trial as it relates to our course, based on my teaching of that work in various courses throughout my career.
  • First Substantive Reading
  • We will discuss some of Kafka’s shorter writings throughout the course. We will begin briefly with “Before the Law“ (also found in The Trial) and “The New Advocate.” These short readings provide a useful introduction to the major short stories that will occupy our primary attention during our time together.
  • Next Substantive Reading
  • To conclude the “specifically” legal feature of the course, we will consider Kafka’s “In the Penal Colony.” This haunting story both addresses the horror of so many modern legal systems as well as modern bureaucracy (another major theme of Kafka’s writings). That theme likewise leads to the designation of the label “Kafkaesque.” This powerful work of short fiction deals with the” human condition,” a key feature of Kafka’s work throughout his life.
  • Final Reading
  • The course will conclude with “The Metamorphosis,” one of Kafka’s most famous and celebrated shorter works. The main character, Gregor Samsa, wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Profoundly metaphorical, this story encourages readers to reflect not only on the condition of humanity, but also on their own lives. That means, among other things, their personal and professional lives as members of the legal community. Discussions will center around those questions and concerns, urging students to make personal observations about their own lives and responsibilities in light of Franz Kafka’s literary observations.
Teaching methods
lectures, discussions
Assessment methods
The students will write an essay of approximately one-page in the final class session, offering your personal reactions to whichever materials or topics we have covered in class that you find most important or personally engaging. They will have wide latitude here and you may draw on any of the materials we have covered, including the initial discussion or any of the literary works we have examined (or any of Kafka’s works you may have read on your own). Regular and punctual attendance at all class sessions is also required.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
Teacher's information
These comments are based on my previous experience teaching here for many years. It has been an exciting and very satisfying experience.

I would like to encourage maximum student discussion, even if we don’t cover all the material in this short course description. My view is that it’s more educationally valuable for you to take an active role than to “cover” material that you could easily forget soon after the course finishes. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you would like; there really are no “bad” questions. I will try to speak clearly in English and if there are any words or concepts you don’t understand, please let me know immediately. Also, I am available after class for any personal discussion as much as possible and I will do my best to answer emails promptly, as I do at UCLA.

Email: pvonblum@ucla.edu

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