Module Code - Title:
GE4146
-
GERMAN LANGUAGE AND SOCIETY 4: GERMANY PAST AND PRESENT
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
GE4143
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module is set at B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
To enhance students' knowledge about present day Germany by exploring the historical background of cultural life in Germany today. To further develop writing skills and reading comprehension at advanced level. To further develop students' skills in the analysis of more complex literary texts in German. To consoldiate grammatical structures at an appropriate level.
Syllabus:
This syllabus is set at B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Lecture: German revolutions, democracy, fascism; cultural institutions, cultural life; the cultural and literary heritage.
Tutorials: a) reading and discussion texts supporting the lecture; conversation class b) literature class: exploration of the myths and their significance in German literary, cultural and political history and in Germany today; c) advanced grammar work.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
* outline the broad parameters of German cultural history and explain the relevance of certain events (with particular emphasis on the 19th century) for contemporary debates
* recognize the importance of myths and legends for the creation of a German national consciousness
* engage with, and critique, secondary sources in the presentation of German visual culture
* analyse and interpret literary texts engaging with historical and political contexts discussed in the lecture series
* demonstrate an appropriate level of fluency and linguistic competence in speaking and writing German
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
* participate confidently in group discussions and presentations in German on the impact of key historical cultural events on contemporary debates
* share, and respond to, individual
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Not applicable.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
A common one-hour lecture will be supported by a tutorial in which texts and materials related to the lecture will be discussed. Two further classroom hours will be devoted to advanced language work, discussion and analysis of literary texts and written work, again pickung up themes from the lecture. Students will be encouraged to draw on their experience of living in a German-speaking country to deepen their linguistic and intercultural studies. Students will be engaged in active learning both inside and outside the classroom and will be encouraged to develop their self-directed learning skills within the broader framework of the module.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
M Rinke (2002)
Die Nibelungen
, Rowohlt
L Forster (2001)
The Penguin Book of German Verse
, Penguin
DREYER, H. / SCHMITT, R. (2001)
A Practical Grammar of German. New Edition
, Hueber
(2005)
Concise Oxford Duden Dictionary
, OUP
D Blackbourn (2003)
History of Germany 1780 - 1918. The long nineteenth century.
, Blackwell
Other Relevant Texts:
G Craig (1982)
The Germans
, Penguin
H J Hahn (1995)
German Thought and Culture
, Manchester UP
C Parry (1993)
Menschen Werke Epochen
, Hueber
U Schulze (1997)
Das Nibelungenlied
, Reclam
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Veronica.ORegan@ul.ie