Overview

This module will examine a selection German films reflecting key themes and aesthetic concepts in German cinema, from its beginnings to the present day. Students will be provided with an introduction to the history of German cinema, and will develop a detailed knowledge of the films examined both as historical documents and as cinematic texts. Whilst attention will be paid to cinematographic devices and the different movements associated with German cinema, the module will also explore the chosen films in a far wider context, examining the social and historical events surrounding the creation of the films, thus broadening students' knowledge of German history, culture and contemporary developments.

Primary Sources:

Films (may be subject to change)
Das Cabinet des Dr Caligari, dir. by Robert Wiene (1919)
M: Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder, dir. by Fritz Lang (1931)
Opfergang, dir. Veit Harlan (1943) Mutters Maske, dir. Christoph Schlingensief (1988)
Germany in Autumn, dir. Alexander Kluge (1978) The Baader Meinhof Complex, dir. Uli Edel (2006) Lola rennt, dir. by Tom Tykwer (1998)
Oh Boy!, dir. by Jan-Ole Gerster (2012)
The German Chain Saw Massacre, dir. by Christoph Schlingensief (1990)

Recommended Reading:
Cooke, Paul, German Expressionist Films (Harpenden: Pocket Essentials, 2002)
Bergfelder, Tim, et al., The German Cinema Book (London: BFI, 2002)
Elsaesser, T., New German Cinema: A History (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1989)
Ginsberg, T. and K.M. Thompson (eds), Perspectives on German Cinema (New York: G.K. Hall, 1996)
Hake, Sabine, German National Cinema (London: Routledge, 2002)
Kittler, Friedrich: Grammophon Film Typewriter (Berlin: Brinkmann & Bose 1986); English: Gramophone, Film, Typewriter, Stanford 1999.
Kracauer, Siegfried: Theory of Film. The Redemption of Physical Reality (Oxford 1960)
Seeßlen, Georg, Der Filmemacher Christoph Schlingensief (Berlin: getidan, 2015)

Assessment Strategy

-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- - A*: For the award of the highest grade, students should demonstrate a detailed 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

• Demonstrate a mastery of basic study skills, such as the ability to make effective use of notes and secondary sources, and benefit from class discussions.

• Demonstrate an ability to diversify approaches to film by creative means and reflect on the epistemic outcome of creative exploration.

• Display an understanding of the development of German cinema, and an awareness of the different movements therein (i.e. Expressionism, New German Cinema...).

• Display the ability to critically analyse film, and reflect on the possibilities and limitations of this genre.

• Present arguments in essays and reviews, supported with literary and historical evidence.

• Show an awareness of film as both an important cultural medium and a historical text.