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2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GERM3140 War Imagined: Cultural Representations of War and Conflict in Germany

20 creditsClass Size: 19

Module manager: Ingrid Sharp
Email: i.e.sharp@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2014/15

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of Level 2 German or equivalent; for Elective students: a reading knowledge of German at an appropriate level is essential.

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module looks at the depiction of war in the art, film and literature of Germany, whether contemporary in the case of memoirs, diaries, letters, postcards and posters, fiction and artistic production by those with direct experience of war and its aftermath or reflections on or commemoration of past wars by a later generation of filmmakers, writers and artists as well as public memorials. Inevitably, the concentration will be on the two major conflicts of twentieth Century in 1914-1918 and 1939-1945, but conflicts in which Germany has been engaged, either directly, such as the Cold War and its aftermath, or through it s cultural imagination, such as the wars in Vietnam or Korea may also feature. Each year we will concentrate on specific areas and this will be made clear to students considering choosing the module. There will be scope for comparative work that builds on students’ existing interests or expertise in any of the areas covered and students will be expected to make use of both primary and secondary sources in researching their long essay. Use of the Liddle Collection, which includes personal letters, postcards and diaries is encouraged. The language of discussion will be in German and English as appropriate and the assessment model may test expression of ideas in both languages.

Objectives

This module looks at the depiction of war in the art, film and literature of Germany, whether contemporary in the case of memoirs, diaries, letters, postcards and posters, fiction and artistic production by those with direct experience of war and its aftermath or reflections on or commemoration of past wars by a later generation of filmmakers, writers and artists as well as public memorials. Each year will focus on a specific and clearly communicated period, for example the First or Second World Wars from a German perspective. Using primary and secondary sources, including archive material where appropriate, students on the module will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop their understanding of the key controversies and questions associated with the period under consideration, to present their ideas orally and in written form. Questions on the FWW would include issues of gender and authenticity, looking at soldiers' accounts and interrogating definitions of war that concentrate on the experience of combat alone. Questions on the Second World War would include an examination of the place of war in National Socialist ideology, representations of race and gender and would explore issues of responsibility and rehabilitation through fictional and filmic accounts such as Der Vorleser, Das Wunder von Bern.

Learning outcomes
Students will have a good knowledge of the war or conflict under consideration and of historical debates and approaches to this period. They will gain an overview of how cultural representation has shaped our understanding of the period of history and have scope to focus on the significance and contribution of a particular author, artist, novel or film.

This module reflects the research strengths of the SMLC in Cultural Studies and the research interests of the module leader in cultural representations of war, especially the First World War, which has resulted in a number of publications. The element of individual research will allow students to explore their own interests using primary and secondary sources readily available in Leeds.

Skills outcomes
- Reading and understanding academic articles in English and in German
- Research skills and analytical skills
- Clear presentation of ideas and knowledge to peers
- Written and spoken communication
- Discussion and negotiation skills in seminars
- Collaborative work with peers
- Time management and working to deadline
- Independent learning.

Syllabus

Semester 1: Readings on the cultural representation of war, specific case studies, preparation of topics for oral presentation and preliminary research for individual project.

Semester 2: Presentation and discussion of ideas for individual project with tutor and peers.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Tutorial	1	1.00	1.00
Independent online learning hours			59.00
Private study hours			120.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will have regular set reading and research tasks and will be responsible for a critical commentary on the reading at least once during Semester 1. They will also use the Liddle collection and library resources to prepare their presentation and research their individual long essay.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The critical commentaries and position papers required of students in the first semester will ensure that progress is monitored. The presentation of ideas to the group and the individual sessions with the tutors during the planning stages of the long essay will also ensure that key questions are properly identified and that approach and methodology have been adequately addressed.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	5,000 words	80.00
Presentation	Poster presentation, 20 minutes	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 24/03/2015

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