The module will introduce students to a study of national cultures and societies and how they connect with transnational contexts beyond national borders. Two initial and two final lectures will introduce students to the study of Modern Languages and a consideration of how the local intersects with the global. The other lectures will then focus on the national contexts of the chosen languages of study and chart the emergence of these nations either through a historical overview, or a survey of key foundational moments. Seminars will focus on the acquisition of critical and analytical skills through discussions of a range of ‘texts’ which complement the lectures (primary and secondary source materials ranging from literary works, articles, statistics and graphs to visual and aural materials including music, film, sculpture, and painting). 

Articulate an understanding of the evolution of cultures and societies at a national level

•           Begin to conceptualise how the national fits with the transnational

•           Develop and demonstrate strong inter-cultural awareness

•           Apply methodological skills through text-based analysis

•           Apply critical thinking and analytical skills

•           Develop and demonstrate competency in information literacy and IT skills 

The module will comprise a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and independent study. Students will experience lectures which are both facing the national culture(s) of their chosen language of study, and lectures which address transnational themes. Students will attend seminars structured around selected texts designed to allow close study of and discussion of the topics explored in lectures. There will be skills training workshops in week 6 to support students in the completion of their assignment. Students will be expected to carry out independent study.

Academic and subject specific skills

• Be able to articulate a strong sense of evolution of cultures at a national level

•           Begin to conceptualise how the national fits with the transnational

•           Develop strong inter-cultural awareness

•           Develop methodological skills through text based analysis

•           Develop critical thinking and analytical skills

Employability skills

• Be able to produce writing and commentarywhich fits the needs of the reader/listener, within and beyond the academic context

• Be able to use ICT effectively

STUDENTS WILL COMPLETE 1 ASSESSMENT FOR THIS MODULE:

1. An essay of 2,500 (written in English or German)

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Students who fail the module overall will be given the opportunity to submit an essay during the August re-sit period. 

Between Enlightenment and Expressionism: German Culture in a Transnational Context

This single-semester module offers an overview of key developments in German history from the late 18th century to the present day in a transnational perspective. It provides the foundations for the related assignments (see above section on assessment) and further studies in German history, politics and society in subsequent years.

The course comprises lectures where all Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) students attend together as a cohort and lectures and seminars where students study with others from their language programme.

General Background Reading:

• Allinson, Mark (2015), Germany and Austria 1814-2000: Modern History for Modern Languages, 2nd edition, London: Bloomsbury. [DD203.A5; and as e-book available with multiple user access] Designed for students of modern languages, Mark Allinson’s book offers a wide-ranging, instructive and very accessible overview of key aspects of modern German and Austrian history.
• Hawes, James (2017), The Shortest History of Germany, London: Old Street Publishing. [e-book]
  A vivid and engaging read that offers a quick but thought-provoking introduction to key questions of Germany’s past and present.

• Walser Smith, Helmut, ed. (2015), The Oxford Handbook of Modern German History, Oxford: Oxford University Press. [e-book] A multi-authored, in-depth assessment of key areas of our subject.

Literary Works discussed in the seminar meetings:

• Stanley Applebaum, Five Great German Short Stories (ISBN13: 978;0486276199) (bilingual edition)
  
  Other recommended edition (in German only):
• EinFach Deutsch Unterrichtsmodelle: Heinrich von Kleist: Die Marquise von O... ; “Das Erdbeben in Chili und weitere Texte.
• EinFach Deutsch Textausgaben: E.T.A. Hoffmann: Der Sandmann.
• EinFach Deutsch Textausgaben: Franz Kafka: Die Verwandlung, “Brief an den Vater” und weitere Werke.
• Coursekit containing further primary texts (available on LC and in class)

The section above contains essential literature for this module as a whole and specific literary works for Semester 2.

The specific reading (required and additional readings) for the weekly lectures and the seminars will be provided on Learning Central.

Please bear in mind that studying is an active process, requiring both the acquisition of knowledge and the exchange of ideas and arguments with others. It is therefore essential that you complete the required reading for each week and contribute actively to the seminar discussions. All readings can be found in our library – and much of the specific reading for lecture and seminars can also be accessed directly on Learning Central.