Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
GE10810
Module Title
Exploring German Cultural Identity
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Entry to Part 1 German
Reading List

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Learning Journal  (on four primary sources) 600 Words  40%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Written Examination  60%
Supplementary Assessment Learning Journal  (on four primary sources) 600 Words  40%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Written Examination  60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Understand different German-language sources

2. Describe and analyse different German-language sources

3. Place sources within their historical context

4. Have a broad understanding of German cultural identity

5. Investigate contextual information independently

Brief description

This course looks to explore Germany cultural identity by looking closely at nine different sources from different moments in German history between 1843 and 2015: a poem, a painting, sources from online museums, radio broadcasts, educational videos, short stories, a documentary film and newspaper articles. It will prepare students to ask questions about the different nature of the sources and how to interpret them. It will lead them to ask questions about the development of Germany as a nation, divided and united, at the centre of Europe and from marginal positions. This will prepare students for study at the next level.

Aims

This module will introduce the student to questions of German cultural identity by exploring a number of different sources from different historical moments in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

Content

Seminar 1: Introduction and Blog Writing Workshop
Seminar 2: 1843 – Poem: Heinrich Heine: Ein Wintermärchen
Seminar 3: 1871 – Painting: Anton von Werner: Die Proklamierung des Deutschen Kaiserreiches
Seminar 4: 1914 – Letters: Briefe Gefallener Studenten
Seminar 5: 1928 – Living Museum Online: Die moderne Frau
Seminar 6: 1948/9 – Online Historical Source: DDR und BRD entstehen
Seminar 7: 1961 - Radio Broadcast: Der Mauerbau
Seminar 8: 1989 - Short Stories: Stefan Heym: ‘Der Zuverlässigesten Einer’
Seminar 9: 1989 - Short Stories: Stefan Heym: ‘Auf Sand Gebaut’
Seminar 10: 2006 – Documentary – Sönke Wortmann: Ein Sommermärchen
Seminar 11: Sönke Wortmann: Ein Sommermärchen
Seminar 12: 2015 – Press Articles ‘Wir schaffen das’: Flüchtlinge in Deutschland
Seminar 13: Conclusion

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The students will learn to understand historical chronology.
Communication This skill will be developed in the seminar and in the written assessments.
Improving own Learning and Performance Through writing an independent blog, this skill will be developed and assessed.
Information Technology The use of the internet and blackboard is essential for this module.
Personal Development and Career planning This module will develop the students’ understanding of different areas of German Studies, it will help them to focus at the next level of study and choose more appropriate modules.
Problem solving These skills will be developed through the analysis of different sources. The ability to do so will be assessed in the blog and the exam.
Research skills These skills will be developed through the analysis of different sources. The ability to do so will be assessed in the blog and the exam.
Subject Specific Skills This module will improve the students’ understanding of the German language, German history and German culture.
Team work This skill will be developed in seminar discussions and group talks.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4