Module: German Literature & Visual Studies

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	German Literature & Visual Studies
Module Code	GER1012 (ITS: GE285)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module will build on the foundations laid by GE190 to deepen the examination of German literature in its historical context, and to advance the reading and analytical skills required using extended German language literary texts, i.e. novels, as well as a film where appropriate, in the German language. The module is delivered through German and English to examine ideas and movements in the 20th and / or 21st century German society at particular points in time and to advance the reading and analytical skills required to conduct academic study of the target culture.

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1: Assess the value of literature and/or film in offering insight into the political, social and intellectual history of Germany in the 20th or 21st centuries.
2. LO2: Critically analyse and discuss extended literary text with reference to academic secondary sources.
3. LO3: Discuss key experiences in modern German history that have shaped these cultures and societies.
4. LO4: Command the German language in an enhanced manner, particularly in a more literary register.
5. LO5: Demonstrate sustained participation and engagement with the course content.
6. LO6: Engage in critical conversations that underpin Global Citizenship.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	16	Discussion and analysis of text and film in addition to their historical, socio-political contexts with the lecturer in class on a weekly basis.
Fieldwork	32	Assigned reading, preparation for and revision of classwork each week following guidelines on Loop.
Independent Study	57	Independent background reading.
Assignment Completion	20	Preparation for and writing of two short assignments and extended end of semester essays.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20498	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Aine Mcgillicuddy	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Coursework (2 short pieces of written homework – one for each of the two works covered in the module.	10%	n/a
Assignment	End-of-Semester Assignment: extended essay questions on two works covered in the module.	90%	n/a

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

Indicative Primary Sources
Judith Kerr. Als Hitler das rosa Kaninchen stahl, Ravensburg: Ravensburger Verlag, 1974

Nora Krug. Heimat: ein deutsches Familienalbum. Munich, Penguin, 2018

Bernhard Schlink. Der Vorleser. Zürich: Diogenes, 1995

Im Labyrinth des Schweigens (2014)

Er ist wieder da! (2015)

Als Hitler das rosa Kaninchen stahl (2019)

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None