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2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GERM1050 From Unification to Reunification: Introduction to German History 1870-1990

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Stephan Petzold
Email: s.petzold@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is mutually exclusive with

GERM1060Introduction to Modern Germany

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Modern German history is full of dramatic upheavals with often radical and even disastrous consequences. In the 21st century, Hitler, the Nazi dictatorship, the Second World War and the Holocaust remain focal points that stimulate and shape our interest in German culture. No doubt, the complex origins, brutal reality and long-lasting legacy of the Third Reich are an important and fascinating subject matter. However, some of the underlying issues manifest in Nazi Germany, such as the desire for national unity or the quest for a specifically German political order, have a wider significance for modern German history.This module therefore adopts a more comprehensive outlook on German history. It will introduce you to modern German history from the first 'unification' of 1870/71 to the second 'unification' of 1990. While the module provides an overview of the major historical events and processes, it will bring particular attention to a number of tensions and contradictions which are crucial to understanding Germany during this period:- national unity and cohesion vs. national division and fragmentation: what kind of society did Germans want to live in?- liberal-democratic vs. autocratic political structures: how did Germans imagine the political order of their nation-state? - competing conceptions of German national identity: what did it mean to be German and how did German identities change?No knowledge of German is required.

Objectives

The aims of this module are:
- to provide students with an overview of modern Germany history
- to introduce students to some of the key historical issues and tensions underpinning developments in Germany since 1871
- to encourage students to reflect on ideas such as the nation-state, political power, war and peace, social responsibility, identity and culture in a historical and intercultural context
- to develop students' skills to analyse and discuss a wide range of primary and secondary sources
- to develop the ability to craft own arguments and use evidence to support them.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students should:
- have a good grasp of the main political, social, economic and cultural events and processes that have shaped Germany's development between the mid-19th century and 1990.
- understand why modern Germany experienced repeated shifts between democracy and dictatorship
- be aware of the role that national unity and cohesion played for German society
- be familiar with how German national identity evolved and changed during this period
- be able to identify the continuing relevance of Germany's rich and difficult past for present-day Germany.

Skills outcomes
- Critical engagement with the political, social and cultural history of a different culture
- Awareness of how historical developments continue to shape the present
- Ability to critically analyse a variety of source materials
- Communicative skills, in speaking and writing


Syllabus

Semester 1 will focus on the period 1871-1945. It will cover the unification of Germany, Germany in the First World War, the foundation and collapse of the Weimar Republic, the rise of the Nazis, Nazi society and the Holocaust.

Semester 2 will focus on the period 1945-1990. It will cover the immediate post-war period, the division of Germany and will then follow key political, social and cultural developments in both German states before analysing the collapse of East Germany and unification.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture201.0020.00
Seminar201.0020.00
Private study hours160.00
Total Contact hours40.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

- reading and reflection in preparation for lectures and seminars (80 hours)
- researching and writing the essay (40 hours)
- exam revision (40 hours)
- self-directed reading around the topic

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Participation in seminar discussions
- Feedback on smaller tasks such as informal group presentations (formative assessment)
- Monitoring assignment for essay and feedback on essay plans

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,000 words50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 00 mins50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 16/02/2017

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