Module: German Society & Literature (Intermediate)

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	German Society & Literature (Intermediate)
Module Code	GER1007 (ITS: GE190)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	SALIS
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This course introduces ideas and political developments that have played a decisive part in the evolution of modern German society from the end of World War II to the present day. The module is delivered through German and English. Textual analysis through discussion of short literary pieces and film in German representative of the ideas/periods covered will be practised. The module will extend reading skills and vocabulary in a variety of registers and text types in German.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1D6468F1-9573-0001-FB36-AB2B18E86A30
2. Discuss political and cultural factors which have shaped the development of Germany from 1945 up to the present day.
5. 1
6. 1D6468F1-C54A-0001-C66B-18FB72401D19
7. Relate a selection of German literary texts and films of cultural & political significance to the historical context in which they were written
10. 2
11. 1D6468F2-936A-0001-E872-BEF341AC1113
12. Recognize and command linguistic usage in German in intermediate and advanced texts
15. 3

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	20	Discussion of texts and film and their historical , socio-political context, semester-long course (10 hours in Semester 1)
Independent Study	105	Preparation and revision of classwork
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10756	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Aine Mcgillicuddy	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Essay-style task and test of knowledge of key cultural concepts (Begriffe).	70%	Week 12
In Class Test	Five fortnightly short in-class tests from Week 2 to Week 10.	20%	n/a
Completion of online activity	Contribution to class Loop Discussion Forum based on analysis of their chosen German newspaper article focussing on one aspect of contemporary German society.	10%	Week 11

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

The module will consist of seminar classes based on short lectures and class discussion of works analysed.
The lectures will identify and survey significant periods and stages in German culture and history since the end of the Nazi period. They will offer insights into society and politics in Germany at particular points in its development: 1945 and the “zero hour”, division of Germany into East and West, Reunification and significant issues in German society up to the present day. Analysis of short stories and other literary texts and/or film, in German, produced in Germany post-1945 and up to the reunification and its aftermath will be focused upon and students will be introduced to key terms (Begriffe) associated with significant developments in German society.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

M.Pasley: 1982, Germany. A Companion to German Studies, Methuen, London & New York,
K. Pinson: 1966, Modern Germany. Its History and Civilization, MacMillan, New York,
M. Fulbrook: 1992, A Concide History of Germany, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge,
M. Fulbrook: 2002, History of Germany 1918-2000: the divided nation, Blackwell, Oxford,
S. Berger: 2004, Inventing the Nation: Germany, Arnold, London,
Byrnes, Deirdre, Conacher, Jean & Gisela Holfter (eds): 2018, Reunification and the Legacy of East-German Literature and Culture., Brill, Rodopi,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None