This module aims to examine the varied representations of the German Democratic Republic (1949 to 1990) in literature and visual culture in their historical and political contexts.  Looking at a range of textual and visual sources, we will engage critically with ways of understanding this “other” Germany and its distinctive ideology and history.  We will investigate a range of stories, essays, poems, films, documentaries, songs, and other sources to compare and contrast the various perspectives afforded by those media and genres.  In the process, students become familiar with a range of aspects of cultural life in the GDR and the political frameworks in which they have been discussed and analysed.

• Demonstrate familiarity with a range of aspects of cultural life in the GDR and the political frameworks in which they have been, and are being discussed and evaluated;
• Identify and use GDR-specific terminology.

• Weekly lectures
• Weekly seminars
• Preparatory reading and viewing assignments
• Film viewings

General intellectual skills

• Critical reading and analysis of a variety of text types in German;
• Critical viewing and analysis of a variety of visual and aural sources in German;
• Contributing to class discussions in an informed manner;
• Familiarisation with GDR-specific terminology;
• A critical sensitivity to the cultural contexts and critical frameworks in which life in the GDR have been, and are being, discussed and evaluated.

Personal transferable skills

• Writing, presentation, discussion, independent research and study skills;
• Arguing competently, identifying and using evidence; structuring and evaluating information coherently; drawing informed critical conclusions.

Essay outline - (10%) - autumn semester

Essay - 40% -  “Taking at least three examples of artistic endeavour from the GDR (e.g., films, novels, short stories, poems, songs, etc.), discuss how they reflect the political and cultural situation at the time of their creation and/or the time in which they are set.  You may choose works either from the same or different genres, artists, and/or periods in the history of the country,” - 2,400 words

or:

Topic of choice (to be approved in advance by instructor) - to be submitted Spring semester

Written exam - 50% - 2 hours - Spring examination period

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Students will be able to resit the failed element or elements during the August resit period, to achieve a maximum of 40%.

Topics to be covered include:

• Chronologie der wichtigsten Ereignisse
• DDR Lyrik 
• DDR Humor
• War in der DDR alles schlechter?
• Übersicht über die DDR-Literatur
• Übersicht über DDR-Filme
• Meilensteine der Kulturpolitik in der DDR
• Die Situation individueller Schriftsteller, Künstler und Intellektueller (mit Fallbeispielen)
• Die Stasi
• Zensur und Selbstzensur
• Ostalgie“
• Die DDR in der Retrospektive und die Auswirkungen auf die deutsche Gegenwart

Indicative Reading

Susanne Fritsche, Die Mauer ist gefallen: Eine kleine Geschichte der DDR (Berlin: Jaron, 2008/München: dvt, 2009) [available at Blackwell’s Book Store at the Student Union]

Anthology of Chronology and Poetry provided in class and available on LC

Additional handouts of related primary and secondary texts provided in class, including short novels, thematic worksheets, as well as journalistic and scholarly essays

Christa Wolf, Was bleibt.  Frankfurt: Suhrkamp, 1990.

Thomas Henseler und Susanne Buddenberg, Grenzfall Munich: avant verlag, 2011.

Supplementary Reading

thematic reading suggestions will be supplied in the class meetings; independent research to identify relevant sources will be expected

current news coverage on GDR-related issues

Indicative Viewing

Die Legende von Paul und Paula

Supplementary Viewing (selection; more suggestions available upon request)

Damals in der DDR (Documentary Series)
Weissensee (TV Series)
Alles auf Zucker
Das Leben der Anderen
Die Abenteuer des Werner Holt
Der rote Kakadu
Friendship
Goodbye Lenin
Herr Lehmann
Kombat 16
Russendisko
Sonnenallee
Westwind
Wir wollten aufs Meer

Preparatory Reading (more suggestions available upon request)

Mark Allinson, Germany and Austria 1814-2000 (London: Arnold, 2002), Chapters 7, “’Auferstanden aus Ruinen’”: East Germany, 1949-1989” and 8, “Two into One: Uniting Germany, 1969-2000.” [provides a brief historical synopsis]

Brussig, Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee [provides a humorous, easy-to-read introduction to the topic; formed the basis for the film Sonnenallee]

Brussig, Helden wie wir [provides an entertaining, easy-to-read introduction to the topic]

Rennefanz, Sabine., Eisenkinder: Die stille Wut der Wendegeneration.  München :Luchterhand 2013

Garton Ash, Timothy, The File: A Personal History.  London: Random House, 1997

Funder, Anna.  Stasiland: Stories from behind the Berlin Wall. London: Granta, 2003.