Unit name | German Children's Literature |
---|---|
Unit code | GERM10034 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Mr. Langner |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of German |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
In this unit we will explore the representation of German history, society, and culture in German children's literature, focusing on the time since 1933 until today. Applying basic principles and methods of literary analysis, we will reflect on how history is presented and presents itself within and through children's books as well on what literature can tell us about the past, in particular for the historical periods of the Third Reich and the GDR the role propaganda played in children's literature will be concerned. Lectures on German history, society, and culture from 1933 - today and introductory lessons on children's literature will alternate with student presentations on the context, content, and reception of selected children's books. We will also do some close reading of excerpts of certain books. This will be complemented by analytical discussions about the texts and their perspectives on history, society, and culture.
This unit aims to:
a) enrich and structure students' knowledge about German history and culture, using feature films as historical documents but also as contemporary interpretations of history, and
b) introduce students to the basic principles and methods of film analysis as discourse analysis.
In this regard the unit is designed to:
By the end of the unit students will have gained profound knowledge of important events and developments with German history society and culture from 1933, and have developed a sound understanding of the principles and methods of critical discourse analysis. They will have developed their academic and research skills and abilities for further studying.
lectures, discussions, group work and student presentations.
Essay 50%, Commentry 1 25%, Commentry 2 25%
A full bibliography will be issued before the start of the Second Teaching Block.