Module LXG-2013:
The Divided Germany

Module Facts

Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Prof Carol Tully

Overall aims and purpose

  1. To introduce students to the historical background of post-war Germany, and the emergence of different ideologies and cultures in East and West.
  2. To introduce students to key aspects of culture and society in the two German states.
  3. To introduce students to the issues facing Germany since reunification
  4. To investigate the relationship between historical events and their depiction in literary and filmic imagination.
  5. To develop skills in the close reading of texts and the critical analysis of film.
  6. To develop skills in essay writing and oral presentation.

Course content

The module will involve examination of the history of Germany and its journey to the country we know today.

Semester 1 will focus on its evolving political, social and cultural boundaries. Following an exploration of the origins of the modern German state, we will study key aspects of the divided nation following the Second World War and explore the impact of Reunification following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Semester 2 will centre on key socio-historical elements such as women's rights, the workplace, protest, terrorism and social disunity/disenfranchisement.

Students will be asked to read texts and/or watch video material from documentry, archival and cultural sources.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

D- - D+: For the award of credit, students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the various topics studied, with some understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted.

good

C- - B+: For the award of higher grades, students should demonstrate a solid comprehension of the various topics studied, with clear understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted, having also analysed and evaluated key sources.

excellent

A- to A*: For the award of the highest grades, students should demonstrate a detailed and thorough comprehension of the various topics studied, with a nuanced understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted, having also analysed and evaluated key sources thoroughly

Learning outcomes

  1. Gaining an overview of key dates and events in post 1945 Germany (East and West)

  2. Display an understanding of the emergence of East and West Germany, and an awareness of their different ideologies and cultures.

  3. Demonstrate the ability to explore a range of literary and cultural interests in each of the two Germanies.

  4. Display critical reading skills and an awareness of film, literature and other arts as a cultural medium and historical text, and reflect on the nature, possibilities and limitations of a particular genre.

  5. Display the ability to reflect on the relationship between historical events and their depiction in the literary, filmic and other artistic imagination.

  6. Present arguments in presentations and essays, supported with literary and historical evidence.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
ESSAY Semester 1 essay

You will be required to write an essay on a topic relating to the material studied in semester 1. Essay questions will be made available in Reading Week (6)

 35.00
ESSAY Semester 2 Essay

You will be required to write an essay of 2,000 words on a topic related to the material covered in Semester 2. Essay questions will be made available in Reading Week. The essay should include a full bibliography (according to MHRA style guide); this is not included in the word count.

 35.00
CLASS TEST In-class test

You will be tested on your knowledge of the material covered in Semester one via a mixture of multiple choice and free text questions.

 10.00
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION Semester 2 Presentation and Write-Up

You will be required to present on a topic of your choice from a list which will be made available in Week 12 of Semester 1. provide a hand-out which includes key sources for your class mates.

Your presentation will be graded according to your performance in the following areas: • presentation skills (eye contact; free speech; use of resources) • evidence of background study and critical thinking • structure of the presentation (hierarchy of information) • register and style • ability to answer questions A Handout (+ Powerpoint presentation) should be submitted 3 days prior to your presentation). This should not be the written script of your presentation, but an outline and an overview of most important facts, aspects and discussion points. It should include a bibliography (according to MHRA style guide). Handout and Powerpoint presentation will serve as a helpful resource for your fellow students.

After your presentation you will rework the original version to feed in comments / suggestions received after your presentation. This revised handout should be submitted at least 1 week after your presentation.

 20.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

Weekly seminar (1 x 24)

Semester 1: Each week, there will be a mini-lecture to give an overview of the topic followed by discussion using relevant materials (texts/video/web). Semester 2: There will be a combination of mini-lecture, discussion and text/film workshops.

Reading materials will be provided in advance via Blackboard

 200

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

German reading skills German listening skills German comprehension skills

Resources

Resource implications for students

None

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/lxg-2013.html

Reading list

See reading list via Blackboard

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Optional in courses: