Module Code - Title:
GE6021
-
GERMAN - IRISH CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To explore the inter-relationship between Ireland and the German-speaking countries.
To analyse historical connections and current links through variety of historical, literary and visual texts which represent, redefine and deconstruct mutual images and Austrian-Irish, German-Irish and Swiss-Irish relations.
To study themes and concepts that occur in the context of bilateral relations, i.e. identity, ethnicity, history, memory, language and home.
Syllabus:
Irish-German cultural relations encompass a multi-faceted research area - the manifold connections not only between Germany and Ireland in past and present but also Irish-Austrian and Irish-Swiss relations. This module aims to provide an in-depth introduction to these links, building on the unique research expertise available at the Centre for Irish-German Studies at the University of Limerick by introducing concepts, methodologies and sources for these bilateral relations. Aspects of intercultural communications at different levels (including misunderstandings) will be analysed as well as the origins of mutual images and their repercussions. Historical and contemporary representations of connections between Ireland and the German-speaking countries will be explored in fictional and non-fictional texts and other media (film, architecture, music, art etc.), the results will be placed within the context of relationships within in Europe.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Analyse origins and ongoing repercussions of national images of self and others
Interpret texts through close reading, locate them in their literary, historical, social, economic and political contexts and place them within relevant theoretical debates;
Explore literary, historical and artistic representations of themes such identity, language, nation;
Present an informed analysis of the discussed themes and texts in both essay and presentation format following appropriate academic standards.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Identify and evaluate strategies used to represent different countries as well as bilateral links
Engage in critical dialogue regarding national stereotypes and representations in historical and current debates.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Holfter, Gisela (1996)
Erlebnis Irland - Deutsche Reiseberichte über Irland im 20. Jahrhundert, Grenzüberschreitungen series, No. 5
, Trier: WVT
Fischer, Joachim (2000)
Das Deutschlandbild der Iren 1890-1939
, Heidelberg: Winter
Leifer, Paul and Sagarra, Eda (2002)
Austro-Irish links through the centuries
, Wien: Diplomatische Akademie.
Holfter, Gisela (2011)
Heinrich Böll and Ireland
, Newcastle upon Tyne: CSP
O Neill, Patrick (1985)
Ireland and Germany: A Study in Literary Relations
, New York: Peter Lang.
Other Relevant Texts:
Dohmen, Doris (1994)
Das deutsche Irlandbild: Imagologische Untersuchungen zur Darstellung Irlands und der Iren in der deutschsprachigen Literatur
, Amsterdam/Atlanta: Rodopi.
Holfter, Gisela, Krajenbrink, Marieke and Moxon-Browne, Edward (eds) (2004)
Identitäten und Beziehungen - Irland, Österreich und die Schweiz, Bern. 6
, Bern: Peter Lang.
Oehlke, Andreas (1992)
Die Iren und Irland in deutschen Reisebeschreibungen des 18. und 19. Jahrhunderts,
, Frankfurt a. M. etc: Peter Lang.
Studer, Patrick and Egger, Sabine (eds) (2007)
From the Margins to the Centre: Irish perspectives on Swiss culture and literature
, Oxford: Peter Lang.
Holfter, Gisela and Rasche, Hermann (2002)
Exil in Irland: John Hennigs Schriften zu deutsch- irischen Beziehungen
, Trier: WVT.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Gisela.Holfter@ul.ie