Unit information: Cultural History of the GDR in 2011/12

Unit name	Cultural History of the GDR
Unit code	GERM29008
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Jones
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of German
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Stalin described writers as the 'engineers of the human soul'. This view of the importance of art brought intellectuals in the communist Eastern Block, including East Germany, both privileges and oppression and led to an ambiguous relationship with those in power. The right to travel to the West was countered by censorship and observation by the Secret Police (Stasi). The sense of fighting for a common cause was tempered by disillusionment with the results of socialism in Eastern Europe. This module explores the relationship between intellectuals and representatives of power in the GDR from 1949-1989. We will explore the history of the GDR from a cultural perspective, drawing links between key literary and artistic developments and wider political events in the context of the Cold War.

Aims:

• To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to second year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.

• To facilitate students' engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.

• To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level C.

• Some options may prepare students for the experience of the Year Abroad.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will:

• be knowledgeable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;

• be skilled in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;

• be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at a high level;

• be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an high level of complexity;

• be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including study at a foreign university and on work placements during the year abroad.

Teaching Information

One 2-hour session per week combining lectures and student-led seminars.

Assessment Information

One of the following:

a) A written assignment of 2000 words and a two hour exam (50% each)

b) A written assignment of 2000 words (25%) and a three hour exam (75%)

c) Two written assignments of 2000 words (50% each)

d) One written assignment of 4000 words

e) One oral presentation (25%) and one written assignment of 2500 words (75%)

Reading and References

Werner Mittenzwei, Die Intellektuellen: Literatur und Politik in Ostdeutschland 1945-2000 (Berlin: Aufbau Taschenbuch Verlag, 2003)

Further set reading will be provided by the lecturer.