SFT20310 German: Literature and Culture Studies (Autumn 2012)

The course is connected to the following study programs

The course belongs to the 90 ECTS German extension programme, and may be part of the optional module in the bachelor programme Society Language and Culture.

Lecture Semester

German extension programme: 1^st semester (autumn)
Bachelor programme in Society, Language and Culture: 3^rd or 5^th semester (autumn)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

The students will have gained knowledge of Berlin's newer history and of literary texts and films that deal with Berlin as part of their motif. The students will have become familiar with the interaction between society, culture and literature, and with how the artistic medium (literature, film) influences the way the issue is presented. This in particular concerns the influence of the big city on literary expression and representation.

Skills

The students will have improved their analytical and interpretative skills, as well as their skills in using literary terminology and methods.

General competence

The students will have gained enhanced understanding of German culture and literary work methods and are expected to be able to give oral and written presentations on a fairly high level.

Content

The course comprises literature and culture studies. German literature and history is taught with a focus on Berlin in the 19^th and ???20^th  centuries. Hence, the interaction between literature and culture/society is central. Discussions and reflection regarding the characteristics of the individual work are also central. In addition to literary texts (and other background reading) the course includes other artistic expressions.

Forms of teaching and learning

Seminar and project work.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

Two written assignments are to be submitted in the course of the semester, of about four pages each exclusive of illustrations.
The coursework must be approved before the student may register for the final exam.

Examination

Oral exam with presentation, 30 minutes

Presentation:

The candidate gives a 10-minute presentation of a clearly circumscribed topic from the syllabus, chosen by the student in agreement with the course instructor. The presentation part of the exam tests the student's ability to present a topic independently and freely.

Examination:

Oral examination of the topic Berlin based on the syllabus (approx. 20 minutes)

The assessment is based on content, on the student's ability to reflect, problematise and present, and on the candidate's oral language skills.  One final mark is given on the A-F grading scale.

Course evaluation

Feedback from students is decisive for the University College to be able to offer the best possible courses and study programmes. This course is evaluated in the following ways:

• Mid-term evaluation
• End-of-term evaluation

The results are dealt with by a group of lecturers, the head of studies, and the local study quality committee.

Literature

• Anonyma: Eine Frau in Berlin (btb)
• Bachmann, Ingeborg: Ein Ort für Zufälle (handout)
• Brussig, Thomas: Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee (Fischer)
• Deutschkron, Inge: Ich trug den gelben Stern (dtv)
• Hessel, Franz, Georg Heym, Joachim Ringelnatz, Kurt Tucholsky (short texts, handouts)
• Kästner, Erich: Emil und die Detektive (Dressler, Atrium Verlag)
• Kaminer, Wladimir: Russendisko (Goldmann; 2 texts of student's own choice)
• Kordon, Klaus & Peter Schimmel: Die Lisa. Eine deutsche Geschichte (Beltz)
• Schneider, Peter: Der Mauerspringer (Rowohlt)

 

3 films from the following list (other Berlin films may be chosen if approved by the course instructor):

• Berlin Alexanderplatz (Rainer Werner Fassbinder)
• Das Leben der Anderen (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck)
• Das Leben einer Baustelle (Wolfgang Becker)
• Der Himmel über Berlin (Wim Wenders)
• Der Untergang (Oliver Hirschbiegel)
• Der Zimmerspringbrunnen (Peter Timm)
• Emil und die Detektive (Franziska Buch, or earlier versions)
• Helden wie wir (Sebastian Peterson)
• Herr Lehmann (Leander Haussmann)
• Goodbye Lenin! (Wolfgang Becker)
• Lola rennt (Tom Tykwer)
• Sonnenallee (Leander Haussmann) or
• Wie Feuer und Flamme (Connie Walter)