Module Code - Title:
GE4628
-
CURRENT TRENDS IN GERMAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To develop an understanding of current trends and developments in literature, cinema and other forms of cultural practice in post-unification Germany, in Switzerland and in Austria by studying individual works in their social and political context.
To engage critically with contemporary literary and cultural production in the German-speaking countries and to analyse a variety of literary texts and films in German.
Syllabus:
An examination of most recent developments in literature and cinema in the German-speaking countries. Analysis of literary texts, films and other cultural products (TV, music, visual arts etc) in their social and political context and discuss how they engage with issues that feature strongly in current debate, such as multiculturalism, experiences of migrants, new womenÆs writing, postcolonial aspects, questions of identity and changing memory discourses. Recent debates on colonialism and post-colonialism in a German context; Postmodernism and Pop Literature; Changing Constructions of Identity in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
* identify and discuss key cultural trends and developments in contemporary German-speaking countries
* appraise the contribution of literature, film and other cultural products to current debates and developments in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
* assess the value of literary and cultural theories and concepts for an understanding of contemporary German literature and culture
* identify the characteristics of contemporary writing in German
* compare and contrast visual (cinematic) and literary texts, esp. film adaptations of literature and the original texts
* demonstrate high-level academic written and oral skills
* analyse and evaluate specific aspects of literature and film in German in written and spoken form
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
* engage critically with the manner in which literature, film and art reflect and impact upon societal debate.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Not applicable
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
A one-hour lecture will be supported by a two hour seminar in which literary and visual texts related to the lecture will be analysed and discussed. Students will be engaged in active learning both inside and outside the classroom and will be encouraged to carry out self-directed work (e.g. essays and oral presentations) related to the material covered on this module.
Prime Texts:
E Jelinek (2002)
In den Alpen
, Berlin Verlag
Z Senocak (2001)
Zungenentfernung: Bericht aus der Quarantänestation
, Babel
F Akin (2007)
Auf der anderen Seite
, Anka Film / Corazon Int / Dorje / NDR
W Becker (2003)
Goodbye Lenin
, Warner (DVD)
O Hirschbiegel (2004)
Der Untergang
, Highlight (DVD)
C Hein (2005)
Landnahme
, Suhrkamp
Other Relevant Texts:
S Taberner and P Cooke (eds) (2006)
German Culture, Politics, and Literature into the Twentieth Century
, Camden House
S Tberner (ed) (2005)
German Literature of the 1990s and Beyond
, Camden House
G Grass (2008)
Beim Häuten der Zwiebel
, dtv
H Glaser (2004)
Kleine deutsche Kulturgeschichte von 1945 bis heute
, Fischer
J Sandford (1999)
Encyclodpedia of Contemporary German Culture
, Routledge
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN APPLIED LANGUAGES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EUROPEAN STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE
BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN LANGUAGES
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Gisela.Holfter@ul.ie