Since unification in 1990, Germany has undergone great social, economic and political changes. The massive cost of modernizing the eastern regions, as well as the problem of integrating the people of the former GDR into the Federal Republic, the challenges of globalization, the digital communications revolution, along with the continuing legacy of  the Nazi past have had a huge impact upon the so-called ‘Berlin Republic’ and its place in the world. Through an examination of a wide range of material from literary and political texts to film, television and architecture this module will introduce students to the key debates which are shaping the identity, politics and culture in Germany today.

This module aims to introduce students to the key debates which are shaping the identity, politics and culture of the ‘Berlin Republic’.

Structure

The two key concepts structuring this module are:

• Integration: Is a Germany truly a unified country? What obstacles remain? What is 'German'?

• Normalisation: What is 'normal'? How does Germany relate to itself and other countries?

Teaching Format

The module will be conducted entirely in German.

Each seminar will last 1 ½ hours.

Reading will be assigned in advance.

In each week, following a short introduction led by the tutor, seminars will be based on two or three of the following activities.

Tasks requiring intensive reading and assimilation of information

1. a brief presentation of the key points of a short 'original source text' in German focusing on argument, structure, tone and style

2. a brief analysis of a original photograph, cartoon, or film/TV clip focusing on content, message, mode of delivery

Tasks requiring understanding of context and overview of broader debates

3. a presentation of a short text in its wider social, economic, or political context

4. a summary of a academic text (in German or English) which engages which a specific event or debate

Tasks requiring presentation of arguments

5. a short debate based on a range of original sources presenting differing points of view

6. production of a visual aid, short text, webpage etc presenting an argument

These tasks will NOT be assessed in class but will prepare students for the assessed essay and examination.

Assessment

Assessment will be a two-hour examination, in German, at the end of semester one and an essay, in German, of 1500 words (1000 words for Easter leavers) at the end of semester two. In each case, marks will be awarded for linguistic competence (25%) as well as for structure, knowledge and argument (75%).

All module materials can be found in the VLE