To provide students with an understanding of the development and contemporary aspects of the German language, and familiarity with reading German-language literature;

To teach students how to engage in the study and critical discussion of both primary and secondary sources in the areas studied, and to deploy appropriate academic terminology to describe key concepts;

To teach students the conventions and processes of writing commentaries and essays, and to employ the correct forms of bibliographical citation.

(LO1) Students will have developed a detailed understanding of the development of the German language, and of Kafka's The Metamorphosis as an example of German-language literature.

(LO2) Students will be able to read critically both primary sources in German (or where appropriate, in translation) at an appropriate level and to read and engage with academic secondary literature; they will be able to critically engage in a discussion of all these materials in class.

(LO3) Students will be able to write critical commentaries and essays and on the areas/materials studied. To this end, they will further consolidate their knowledge about finding and using appropriate materials from secondary sources. They will further consolidate their knowledge about the conventions of bibliographic citation.

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Listening skills

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

The majority of teaching will be delivered face-to-face on campus. Online delivery will be used to complement the on-campus delivery and where technology affords a better learning experience.

Lecture:
This module consists of two major areas of study: the German short story with a particular emphasis on Kafka's The Metamorphosis, and post-1945 German film. The module is taught using a combination of lectures and tutorials. The lectures introduce students to the study of German literature and the study of German film. Through the study of literary texts as well as German films and related academic secondary texts, the tutorials consolidate the material taught in the lectures. The assessed assignments - two commentaries and one essay - provide students with the opportunity to practice critical reading and commentary-writing, as well as to develop synthetic arguments. In addition, students are required to submit a literature review task for which they receive an informal mark. One workshop session is reserved for the discussion and practice of essay-writing skills. Primary materials are supported by an extensive bibliography of secondary readings in English and German.

Seminar:
Through the study of literary texts as well as German films and related academic secondary texts, the tutorials consolidate the material taught in the lectures. The assessed assignments - two commentaries and one essay - provide students with the opportunity to practice critical reading and commentary-writing, as well as to develop synthetic arguments. In addition, students are required to submit a literature review task for which they receive an informal mark.

Workshop:
One workshop session is reserved for the discussion and practice of essay-writing skills. Primary materials are supported by an extensive bibliography of secondary readings in English and German.

Other:
Introduction (course outline and information) three compulsory film screenings.

Topics covered during the module may include:

The history of the German language;

Language and nation;

Linguistic similarity, standardization, codification;

Dialects, sociolects, purism;

The German language in the FRG and the GDR;

Introduction to Kafka's literary work and historical context;

Key literary themes of Die Verwandlung: family, food, domestic life;

Literary genres: realism v. fantasy/myth; autobiography;

Critical interpretations of Die Verwandlung.