SFT11608 German Literature and Culture (Autumn 2008)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Obligatory course in the one-year German programme / German in the education programme (1^st semester).

Optional course in the bachelor programme Society, Language and Culture (1^st, 3^rd or 5^th semester) and in the four-year education programme (5^th or 7^th semester).

Prerequisites

The course builds on basic knowledge of German.

Lecture Semester

Autumn 2008

Content

The course starts with a compulsory introduction to literature for the students studying English, German or French in the one-year programmes / one-year language courses in the education programme. This introduction aims to give students a basis in literary terminology and analysis, and in genre theory. The function of literary texts in foreign language teaching is discussed.

 

The German literature part of the course focuses on modern literature, including child and youth literature. The role of didactics in language teaching is discussed. The culture and literature parts are coordinated chronologically so that the texts illuminate central events or phenomena in the target language countries. The period studied is 1945 until today with aspects from political history, cultural history and the history of literature.

Forms of teaching and learning

Block seminars in the introduction part; otherwise: seminars, exercises and presentations.  Student-active learning is emphasised and library and ICT resources are used.

Practical training/internship

None.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

A minimum of 80% attendance is required in the introduction course. Exemption may only be granted on written application stating the reasons for not fulfilling the requirement. This will among others apply to distance learners.

The requirements must be fulfilled before the exam portfolio can be handed in for assessment.

Examination

Final assessment is based on a portfolio containing contributions submitted in the course of the semester.

The contributions comprise two shorter papers (1-2 pages) and one more extensive contribution (4-5 pages), typed (1 ½ line spacing) with bibliography, references and correct use of notes. The papers are to be submitted at given deadlines. Students are given individual supervision. More information on the assignments will be given by the course instructor.

 

The assessment takes into consideration: textual comprehension, independence, level of knowledge, and formulation skills. The A-F grading scale is used.

Literature

Literature part of the course:

• Askan, Katrin: Aus dem Schneider. BVT Berliner Taschenbuch Verlag Bd. 76008.
• Borchert, Wolfgang: Nachts schlafen die Ratten doch. K.
• Dürrenmatt, Friedrich: Romulus der Grosse. Eine ungeschichtliche historische Komödie in vier Akten. Diogenes Taschenbücher No. 23042.
• Eich, Günter: Inventur. K.
• Fried, Erich: Gespräch über Bäume. K.
• Hermann, Judith: Sommerhaus, später. Erzählungen. Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag 14770. The following stories: 'Rote Korallen', 'Sonja' and 'Sommerhaus, später'.
• Jandl, Ernst: ottos mops (K), schtzngrmm (K), falamaleikum (K), auf dem land (K)
• Kunert, Günter: Über einige Davongekommene. K.
• Steinhöfel, Andreas: Beschützer der Diebe. Dtv Junior, dtv Taschenbücher Bd. 70411, 1996 dtv, ISBN 3-423-70411-X.
• Vestli, Elin Nesje: Deutschsprachige Nachkriegsliteratur von Wolfgang Borchert bis Judith Hermann. Compendium, local print. The shorter texts (K) are found in a text collection that can be bought with the compendium.

Introduction to literature:

• Knutsen, K & E N Vestli: Innføring i litteraturvitenskap for språkstudenter. Local print, in the bookstore. Can also be downloaded from Blackboard. 

Culture:

• Sauer, Fritz Joachim (ed.): Länderkunde. Berlin. Latest ed. Selected chapters.
• Documents made available on Blackboard.