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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: GER1050 Module Title: CONTEMPORARY GERMANY I
Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies Short Name: GER1050
Level: HE1 Module Co-ordinator: SALLER C Ms (Lang & Trans)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Semester 2
Assessment Pattern
Unit(s) of Assessment (SITS MAB)
Weighting Towards Module Mark ( %)
Written assignment 1000 words
40
Two hour Examination
60
Qualifying Condition(s) 
A weighted aggregate of 40% is required to pass the module
 
Module Overview
This module is taught in the target language in Semester 2.
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
A/ B at A level German or equivalent.
Module Aims
To equip students with a broad general knowledge and understanding of the society and culture of the German-speaking countries, including an introduction to the historical background that has shaped the contemporary society and culture in those regions.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will:
  • Be able to follow and take notes from lectures delivered in German
  • Be able to participate in seminars in German
  • Have acquired basic and specialised vocabulary related to social and cultural issues
  • Have gained an understanding of the relevance and value of a historical perspective within the study of modern languages and cultures
  • Be able to describe the development of Germany and the German-speaking world
  • Be able to read and critically evaluate authentic sources on a range of cultural and social issues
  • Be able to write critically in German on cultural and social issues
  • Have developed communicative skills in German.
Module Content
The following areas are indicative of topics to be covered:
 
  • Historical overview of the German speaking countries
  • Development of the German speaking world
  • Overview of society: changes in family life; role of women; youth culture; class
  • Culture as way of life: food, work and leisure, holidays, religion
  • Other aspects of culture: literature, theatre, cinema, music, dance; cultural policy
  • The media
  • Immigration and multiculturalism
  • Education system
  • Minorities
Methods of Teaching/Learning
Three contact hours per week over Semester 1. Classes will include lectures and seminars; students are expected to read extensively outside classes in order to follow lectures and participate in seminars.
Selected Texts/Journals
Essential Reading
Fulbrook, M., A Concise History of Germany. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993 (reprinted).
Lewis, D., The A to Z of Contemporary Germany. Scarecrow Press, 2010.
 
Recommended Reading
August, O., Along the wall and watchtowers. A Journey Down Germany’s Divide, London: Flamingo, 2000.
Baumert, A., Mit der Muttersprache auf Talfahrt. Die Frage nach der deutschen Identität. lfB Verlag, 2005.
Becker, Sozialstaat Deutschland: Geschichte und Gegenwart. Dietz, 2010.
Bommes, Michael, Schiffauer, Werner (Hg) Migrationsreport 2006. Fakten - Analysen - Perspektiven. Frankfurt am Main: Campus, 2006.
Braun, S., Das Staat-Religionen-Verhältnis in seiner historischen Entwicklung. Band 1: Deutschland.
Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Berlin, 2005.
Brenner, P., Schule in Deutschland: Ein Zwischenzeugnis. Kohlhammer, 2006.
Breuilly, J., Austria, Prussia and Germany1806-1871. London: Pearson Education Limited, 2002.
Bushell, A., Austria 1945-1955. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1996.
Dirlmeier, U. et al (eds.), Kleine Deutsche Geschichte. Reclam, 1995.
Empter, S., Soziale Gerechtigkeit – eine Bestandsaufnahme. Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2007.
Fest, J. C., Hitler. Eine Biographie. Frankfurt/Main, Ullstein, 1989.
Geiss, I., Die deutsche Frage, 1806-1990. Mannheim: B.I.-Taschenbuchverlag, 1992.
Gerlach, I., Familienpolitik. Vs Verlag, 2009.
Goldberg, A., Die deutschen Türken.Münster: Lit-Verlag, 2005.
Haffner, S., Anmerkungen zu Hitler. Frankfurt am Main: Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, 2003.
Koppensteiner, J., Österreich. Ein landeskundliches Lesebuch. Praesensm 2007.
Lüscher, R., Landeskunde Deutschland: Von der Wende bis heute. Verlag für Deutsch, 2008.
Müller von Eichborn, H., Wirtschaftsfaktor Patriotismus: Vaterlandsliebe in Zeiten der Globalisierung. Eichborn, 2006.
Sandford, J.. Encyclopedia of Contemporary German culture. Routledge, 1999.
Schmidt, M., Der Wohlfahrtsstaat: Eine Einführung in den historischen und internationalen Vergleich. Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, 2007.
Schrag, W., Medienlandschaft Deutschland. UVK Verlagsgesellschaft, 2007.
Siebert, H., The German Economy: Beyond the Social Market. Princeton University, 2005.
Stratenschulte, E. D., Kleine Geschichte Berlins. Munich: dtv, 2001.
Parkes, S. Understanding Contemporary Germany. London and New York, Routledge, 1997.
Reichel, P., Vergangenheitsbewältigung in Deutschland: Die Auseinandersetzung mit der NS-Diktatur von 1945 bis heute. C.H.Beck, 2007.
Weber, J., Kleine Geschichte Deutschlands seit 1945. Munich: dtv, 2002.
 
Background Reading
Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung: www.bpb.de
Goethe Institut: www.goethe.de/ges
„Deutschland“ Magazin: www.magazine-deutschland.de
Süddeutsche Zeitung: www.sueddeutsche.de
Die Zeit: www.zeit.de
Deutsche Welle: www.dw-world.de
Deutschlandradio: www.dradio.de
Deutsches Historisches Museum Online: http://www.dhm.de/lemo/home.html
Last Updated
4.4.11