SFT11608 German Literature and Culture (Autumn 2011)

The course introduces literary terminology and work methods. The course comprises literature from German-language countries after 1945, elucidating it within a framework of political history, culture and literary history. An introduction to the University College library is given, making the students familiar with catalogues, encyclopaedias, databases, literary search and criticism of sources.

The literature part focuses on newer German-language literature including literature for children and adolescents. The role of literary didactics in foreign language teaching is one of the themes.

The teaching of literature and culture is chronologically coordinated so that the texts illuminate central events or phenomena in the target countries. The time span is from 1945 until today. Social science issues are included with topics from geography, the political system, economic and social structures, and the school system.

Knowledge

Literature: The students possess knowledge of central literary tendencies, genres and writers in the German area after 1945.
Culture: The students possess knowledge of the main political and cultural history from 1945 until today. They will also have knowledge of political conditions and economic and social structures and geography.

Skills

Literature: The students are able to read, discuss and analyse literary texts using literary terminology.
Culture: The students understand cultural similarities and differences and have good intercultural communication skills.

General competence

The students have strengthened their knowledge of literature and culture from 1945 until today.

Portfolio assessment

The assessment is based on a portfolio with texts the student has written during the semester. The portfolio contains three contributions, two smaller assignments (1 to 2 pages of text) and one more extensive text of 4-5 pages.
The texts should have line spacing 1 ½ and use correct referencing and notes. They should be submitted at given deadlines. The students are given individual advice during their work with the portfolio. More information on the assignments is given in class.

The assessment takes into consideration text comprehension, independence, level of knowledge and formulating skills. The A-F grading scale is used.

The students may also be called in for a talk about the portfolio. This conversation will last for about 30 minutes and may adjust the written result by one step up or down on the scale.

In the case of re-examination a new portfolio must be submitted.

In the case of complaint the entire portfolio will be reassessed. 

Feedback from students is decisive for the University College to be able to offer the best possible courses and study programmes. This course is evaluated in the following ways:

• Mid-term evaluation
• End-of-term evaluation

The results are dealt with by a group of lecturers, the head of studies, and the local study quality committee.

• Askan, Katrin: Aus dem Schneider. BVT Berliner Taschenbuch Verlag Bd. 76008.
• Borchert, Wolfgang: Nachts schlafen die Ratten doch. K.
• Dürrenmatt, Friedrich: Romulus der Grosse. Eine ungeschichtliche historische Komödie in vier Akten. Diogenes Taschenbücher No. 23042.
• Eich, Günter: Inventur. K.
• Fried, Erich: Gespräch über Bäume. K.
• Hermann, Judith: Sommerhaus, später. Erzählungen. Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag 14770. The following stories: 'Rote Korallen', 'Sonja' and 'Sommerhaus, später'.
• Jandl, Ernst: ottos mops (K), schtzngrmm (K), falamaleikum (K), auf dem land (K)
• Kunert, Günter: Über einige Davongekommene. K.
• Steinhöfel, Andreas: Beschützer der Diebe. Dtv Junior, dtv Taschenbücher Bd. 70411
• Vestli, Elin Nesje/Langemeyer, Peter: Deutschsprachige Nachkriegsliteratur von Wolfgang Borchert bis Judith Hermann (Compendium, local print or digitally available).

 The shorter texts (K) are gathered in a text collection to be bought with the compendium.

• Müller,Helmut M: Deutsche Geschichte in Schlaglichtern. Leipzig 2004 (or other ed.) Parts of the book is required reading.
• Schmid, Gerhard Friedrich: Kleine Deutschlandkunde. Ein erdkundlicher Überblick. Stuttgart, 1996 (or later ed.)

Additionally, material published on the digital learning platform.