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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GERM2600 The Shock of the New: Culture and Power in Germany from the Second to the Third Reich

20 creditsClass Size: 18

Module manager: Jane Wilkinson
Email: j.i.wilkinson@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of GERM 1030 or equivalent knowledge

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is available as a Level Two Discovery module to students who have completed GERM1030 or have A-level equivalent reading knowledge of German.The module traces the central developments of German history in the period spanning Wihelmine Germany, WWI, the Weimar Republic and National Socialism and seeks to identify the interplay of politics and culture in these years; to sketch some of the parameters of what we might define as the modern condition; to deepen the knowledge gained, at Level I, of basic concepts and approaches to the study of German culture in a historical and socio-political context; to analyse and apply secondary literature; and to consolidate the analytical and expressive skills acquired at Level I.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able, in the format of oral discussion/presentation and in written assignments/examinations to:

- have deepened their knowledge gained at Level 1 of basic concepts and approaches to the study of German culture in an historical and socio-political context and
- trace the central developments of German history in the period spanning Wilhelmine Germany, WWI, the Weimar Republic and National Socialism;
- identify the interplay of politics and culture in these years;
- sketch some of the parameters of what we might define as the modern condition;
- analyse and apply secondary literature;
- consolidate analytical and expressive skills acquired at Level 1.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the links between art, philosophy, culture and history in Germany in the period 1870-1945.

They will have developed critical and analytical skills and will be able to read and analyse long and complex tests in German.

Skills outcomes
- German reading skills - particularly reading complex texts swiftly
- Development of complex German vocabulary from different periods
- Understanding of complex sentence structures
- Reading academic articles
- Producing English academic prose
- English language academic discussion skills.


Syllabus

The module charts a period of dramatic upheaval and radical transformation in Germany: from the self-confident Wilhelmine Empire to defeat in Wold War I; from the artistic and socio-political creativity of the Weimar Republic to the brutal dictatorship and mass manipulation of the National Socialists.

Withjn this historical framework we first examine the multi-faceted theme of the impact of modernity's radical break with tradition - "the shock of the new".

This theme is then used to link an interdisciplinmary range of texts (philosophical, political, sociological, literary, filmic and musical) and to explore the interplay of culture and power in the period 1871-1945.

We will focus on a selection from the following range of core issues: the intellectual, socio-cultural and economic roots of modernity; literary expressionism; discourses of gender and identity; the artistic avant-garde and its opponents, new political and social movements; modernity, mass culture and the Holocaust.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar201.0020.00
Private study hours169.00
Total Contact hours31.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Students will spend time reading texts in German, preparing for seminars via such methods as worksheets, VLE wikis and short position papers, will write assignments, prepare presentations and prepare posters.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Intensive seminars will allow for ongoing monitoring of student progress.

The literature review, presentation and poster are formative assignments that will allow for students to receive timely feedback and build on it for the next assignment.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay3,000 words70.00
Literature Review2,000 words30.00
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: 22/06/2017

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