2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GERM1200 20th Century German History

20 creditsClass Size: 70

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

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

Year running 2024/25

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

20th-century German history is full of dramatic upheavals with often radical and even disastrous consequences, which this module covers comprehensively. It provides an overview of the major historical events and processes, while bringing particular attention to a number of key themes: (1) national cohesion and division in German society, (2) liberal-democratic and autocratic visions of political orders and cultures, (3) competing conceptions of German identities. The module is taught through English, no knowledge of German is required.

Objectives

The aims of this module are:

1. to provide students with an overview of twentieth-century Germany history

2. to introduce students to key issues and tensions underpinning developments in German politics, society and culture in the 20th century

3. 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

4. enhance awareness of the continuing relevance of Germany's rich and difficult past for present-day Germany

5. to develop a good general understanding of key principles in academic scholarship

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

1. knowledge of the main political, social and cultural events and developments that have shaped Germany in the 20th century

2. understand and analyse key interpretations, perspectives and debates on 20th-century German history

3. appreciate the interplay of historical change and continuity

4. appreciate the importance of studying the history of experience and apply insight creatively and authentically

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

5. Information searching: the ability to interpret and present other people's ideas and synthesise these ideas to support opinion, argument and theories

6. Critical thinking: the ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.

7. Academic writing: the ability to write in a clear, concise, focused and structured manner that is supported by relevant evidence.

8. Creativity: The ability to generate ideas, demonstrate originality and imaginative thinking, including the concept of ‘thinking outside the box’.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	20	1.00	20.00
Private study hours			170.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Feedback on contributions to seminar discussions, feedback on practice assignment for the semester 1 essay and on a draft sample from the semester 2 imagined autobiography

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1500 words	50.00
Project	Imagined autobiography with rationale	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resits are usually done in the same format.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 06/02/2024

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