UNDERSTANDING GERMANY: HISTORY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module complements the language modules in Level 4 by introducing students to the cultures and societies of countries where German is spoken. It provides insight into the history, traditions and topical issues of countries where they may be spending time during PTY and will provide opportunities to develop linguistic competence and intercultural awareness.

Module provider

Literature & Languages

Module Leader

KAUP Judith (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

* Historical events and developments and their impact on the German-speaking world today
* Vergangenheitsbewältigung and Erinnerungskultur
* Wiedervereinigung - vereintes Deutschland?
* Immigration, multiculturalism
* Overview of society: family life; gender roles; youth culture; eductation, social (im)mobility
* Sustainability

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

n/a

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:
* Knowledge and understanding of the target language;
* Ability to analyse and interpret texts
* Ability to select and synthesise information from written and oral texts
* Ability to take notes effectively and use IT skills to find and present relevant information;
* Subject-specific knowledge of German history and contemporary cultures and societies.


Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

* Written assignment of 1000 words (50%)
Takes the form of a literature review, enabling students to develop subject specific knowledge, improve their written German, and develop research skills.

* Online exam (50%)
Assesses ability to write accurate and appropriate German, demonstrates knowledge and understanding of topics covered.

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative assessment will focus on student participation and class discussions throughout the module. Students will be provided with detailed written feedback following coursework assignments.

Verbal feedback will also occur in class and individual appointments if required.

Module aims

• This module aims to equip students with a broad general knowledge and understanding of the societies and cultures of Germany and other German-speaking countries, including an introduction to the historical background that has shaped contemporary society and culture in these countries.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy will enable students to:

* develop their language skills, through listening, speaking, reading and writing in the target language
* acquire explicit knowledge of the linguistic structures, vocabulary and stylistic registers needed for understanding German-speaking cultures and societies, through attending classes and reading in the target language
* develop learner autonomy, throughreading outside contact hours and participating in seminars
* develop research  skills, through reading and presenting findings, through informal class presentations and in the written assignment
* engage in analytical and evaluative thinking, to analyse and interpret texts and other cultural products
* develop communication skills through interactions in class
* acquire a broad knowledge of the history, culture and institutions of the societies in which German is used

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

* two contact hours per week: practical seminars based on discussion of work prepared in advance
* flipped classroom methods are used to maximise class time and student engagement
* one hour per week of captured content, typically two Panopto videos and accompanying reading
* guided learning each week–  suggested readings and activities to prepare for seminars
* interactive seminars which enable students to develop communication and presentation skills
* guidance on how to prepare and present assignments via SurreyLearn and during practical seminars.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: GER1058

Other information

Surrey's Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital Capabilities: students will learn how to source, select and engage with appropriate online resources in their target language, including video and audio sources. They will learn to identify features that make some online sources more valid and reliable than others, and will learn to use appropriate software for sorting and presenting research findings. They will develop practical expertise in producing and presenting material using digital resources and will engage with digital tools such as google docs for collaborative working on a regular basis.

Employability: by learning about the societies and cultures where German is used, students become better prepared for working in those countries, or dealing with them professionally.  In more general terms, they also develop valuable transferable skills through the weekly activities in this module. Students will often be required to work together on presentations and to plan and delegate tasks, thus developing communication and project management skills useful in professional life. The assessment also requires them to use a professional register in the target language, observe a strict word limit and a clear focus, all of which are valuable skills in professional writing.

Global and Cultural Capabilities: this module explicitly introduces students to the varied cultures and societies of the German-speaking world, creating awareness of the diverse nature of German-speaking cultures. Through the historical part of the content, students will gain awareness of the ever-changing nature of national cultural identity, and the linguistic and cultural impact of European colonialism, in the past and in contemporary societies. Through research and guided discussions students will learn how to adopt an academic approach to cultural differences and to avoid lazy stereotyping. They will enhance their appreciation of cultural difference, based on a non-judgmental and constructive approach.

Sustainability: aspects of sustainability are central to any study of contemporary culture and will be explored with reference to German-speaking countries. Through the study of the geography and history of German-speaking countries, students will learn about the varying impacts of human activity and climate change on different countries in the German-speaking world and about the significance of various sustainability issues in these countries. They will learn the vocabulary and structures needed to engage with these issues in the target language

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.