Module Information

Module Identifier
GE10920
Module Title
Exploring German Cultural Identity
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
Entry to Part 1 German

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:

Understand different German-language sources

Describe and analyse different German-language sources

Place sources within their historical context

Have a broad understanding of German cultural identity

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

Material studied may include material such as poetry by Heinrich Heine, a painting by Anton von Werner, First World War Letters, material on women's emancipation of the 1920s, the works of Franz Kafka, the history of the National Socialist dictatorship, the Second World War and the division of Germany, short stories by Stefan Heym, 21st century feature films and press articles from the last decade.

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