Overview

The module will involve examination of the history of Germany and its journey to the country we know today.

Semester 1 will focus on its evolving political, social and cultural boundaries. Following an exploration of the origins of the modern German state, we will study key aspects of the divided nation following the Second World War and explore the impact of Reunification following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Semester 2 will centre on key socio-historical elements such as women's rights, the workplace, protest, terrorism and social disunity/disenfranchisement.

Students will be asked to read texts and/or watch video material from documentry, archival and cultural sources.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D- - D+: For the award of credit, students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the various topics studied, with some understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted.

-good -C- - B+: For the award of higher grades, students should demonstrate a solid comprehension of the various topics studied, with clear understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted, having also analysed and evaluated key sources.

-excellent -A- to A*: For the award of the highest grades, students should demonstrate a detailed and thorough comprehension of the various topics studied, with a nuanced understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted, having also analysed and evaluated key sources thoroughly

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to explore a range of literary and cultural interests in each of the two Germanies.

• Display an understanding of the emergence of East and West Germany, and an awareness of their different ideologies and cultures.

• Display critical reading skills and an awareness of film, literature and other arts as a cultural medium and historical text, and reflect on the nature, possibilities and limitations of a particular genre.

• Display the ability to reflect on the relationship between historical events and their depiction in the literary, filmic and other artistic imagination.

• Gaining an overview of key dates and events in post 1945 Germany (East and West)

• Present arguments in presentations and essays, supported with literary and historical evidence.