| Unit name | Inventing Austria |
|---|---|
| Unit code | GERM20051 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Sam Thompson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of German |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
What makes an Austrian ‘Austrian’? In this unit we will explore the complex and often controversial emergence of Austrian identities. In the early 21st century, Austria has a distinct identity, yet the modern state was established as recently as 1918, and originally dismissed as ‘the leftovers’ after the collapse of empires and the radical reshaping of Europe’s borders. Most Austrians themselves would initially have preferred German or Swiss identities. A clearer sense of what it meant to be Austrian only emerged after the turbulent interwar period and the experience of Anschluss with Germany. However, Austrian identities have by no means been static since then and are still contested and negotiated in the present.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit links to what you have learnt about literature, film, history, and German language in your first year of study but shifts the focus to Austria. We will take a multidisciplinary approach to the contested development of Austrian identities since 1918, using historical tools, discussing examples from literature and film, and exploring the contribution of Austria’s distinct linguistic landscape to identity formation. We will concentrate particularly on the interplay between history, culture and language, introducing you to concepts that will be useful beyond this unit
An overview of content
In the first week, we will cover important theoretical concepts that help us understand (national) identity formation. We will then proceed chronologically through Austria’s history from the end of the 19th century to the 21st century, exploring how socio-political developments (such as the collapse of the Habsburg Monarchy, the Anschluss to Germany, Austria’s insistence on being seen as a ‘victim’ of the Nazis after World War II, and migration) affected the formation of identities in Austria. Staff from across the German department will contribute their expertise in individual weeks, giving you a well-rounded and multidisciplinary insight into Austria and its history.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
This unit is designed to help you develop a creative and enquiring mindset that allows you to undertake research collaboratively. You will learn to take responsibility for your learning by devising a podcast topic. The group podcast will foster your adaptability and your communication skills, helping you to become a confident learner.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
You will learn through a variety of activities:
Tasks which do not count towards your unit mark but are required for credit (zero-weighted):
The formative tasks help you to come up with a suitable topic for your podcast.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Group podcast, 20 minutes (100%) [ILOs 1-4]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. GERM20051).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
