GER4019 : Society, Media, Identities in contemporary Germany and Austria
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Dr Teresa Ludden
- Owning School: Modern Languages
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
None
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| GER2061 | Level C (HE Advanced) German |
| GER4086 | Level D (HE Further Advanced): German for Professional and Academic Purposes |
Co Requisite Comment
Can be taken with Level C or Level D German in Final Stage only
Aims
Major social, cultural and political aspects of contemporary Germany through a range of media, written texts (novels, poems, films, essays, pamphlets, open letters, speeches etc) and films in their cultural and historical context.
Outline Of Syllabus
Indicative key texts
R W Fassbinder, Die Ehe der Maria Braun
Bernhard Wicki, Die Bruecke
West German Protest Movements
M Verhoeven, Das schreckliche Maedchen
H Sanders-Brahms, Deutschland Bleiche Mutter
1970s terrorism
H Boell, Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
Exophonic writing “Gastarbeiterliteratur”
F Biondi, Passavantis Rueckkehr
A Tekinay, Die Deutschpruefung
Fatih Akin, Kurz und Schmerzlos
contemporary texts on current issues: global capitalism, ethnic minority identities, migrant and refugee literature/film, climate crisis
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | Includes preparation for essay writing masterclass |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:30 | 16:30 | Present in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 11 | 3:00 | 33:00 | Includes preparation for seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:30 | 16:30 | in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 104 | 1:00 | 104:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures delivered in person communicate the main topics, concepts and methodologies and demonstrate techniques. 100 % of the module will be delivered in person.
Seminars in small groups allow student-led discussion and debate; allows students to tackle specific tasks and research questions; in seminars students practise close reading, analysis, interpretation and textual exegesis as well as constructing coherent arguments to achieve the learning aims for this module.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 50 | In-person exam. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 50 | 2,000 words in English. End of Semester 2 submission deadline |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | Week 3. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Essay tests the ability to think analytically, the ability to construct an argument and allows the students to demonstrate skills in close reading of texts, independent research, creativity, and decision-making. Written exam is a commentary question that requires exegesis and application of conceptual knowledge.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- GER4019's Timetable