Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Language requisite: German A-level or equivalent standard.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML: to introduce students to German history, culture and society from the beginnings of the German Nation up to contemporary times and to develop their comprehension of spoken German as well as their presentation skills.

Outline Of Syllabus

The following items will be covered:
- Die Reichsgründung
- Industrialisierung
- Die Arbeiterbewegung
- Der Erste Weltkrieg
- Die Weimarer Republik
- Der Aufstieg der Nationalsozialisten
- Politik im Dritten Reich
- Juden im nationalsozialistischen Deutschland
- Widerstand gegen den Nationalsozialismus
- Kapitulation und Teilung Deutschlands
- Unterschiedliche Entwicklungen in West und Ost
- Wiedervereinigung
- Aktuelle Entwicklungen in Deutschland

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module, students will have gained a detailed insight into the political, economic, cultural and social developments in Germany during the period covered. They have some understanding of the most important factors that have influenced the course of German history and can place more current developments in the historical-social context.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Lectures will be held in German to improve the students' listening comprehension. Seminars and group work may be partly in English, but the source material will mainly be in German so that reading comprehension and analysis of historical paintings, political speeches, political cartoons, statistics and photographs can be practised as historical sources. Students will learn specific vocabulary and how to present historical topics orally and in writing in German.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures are used to impart facts, set out problems, and suggest solutions, as well as to allow students to practice their listening comprehension and widen their vocabulary. In particular they will outline the main developments, give insights into the major factors affecting German history, and give an indication of the problems which can be encountered in the use of the sources. The seminars will allow students to focus in detail on specific aspects of the module, to work in groups and to give presentations in German, so deepening their knowledge and understanding as well as practising key skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A 90-minute written examination during the semester 1 assessment periods consisting of:
a number of questions with short sentence answers
+ two questions, one must be answered in detail
The first part of the written exam assesses the range of students’ knowledge of content discussed in term 1; the second part asks them to demonstrate in more detail their understanding of particular aspects of the module.

A 90-minute written examination during the semester 2 assessment period consisting of:
A number of questions with short sentence answers
Two questions which must be answered.
The first part of the written exam assesses the range of students’ knowledge of content discussed in term 2; the second part asks them to demonstrate their understanding of particular aspects of the module.

Group Presentation (partly in German, partly in English):
Working in groups of two or three students present on a topic related to one of the lectures. They provide a Power Point presentation on their chosen topic (~10 min. per student, each student will be graded individually), This tests knowledge of content as well as developing language and presenting skills.

Students benefit from training their presentation skills as it enhances their ability to communicate effectively, succeed academically and professionally, and fosters personal growth by boosting confidence and critical thinking abilities.

General Notes

N/A