GERM3281: In Search of Happiness

• German Language 2A (GERM2021), or German Language 2B (GERM2152) or an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

• Modern Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: German Language 4 (GERM3071). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

• None.

• To explore and analyse the role literature and visual art play in establishing or subverting contemporary and historical concepts of happiness
• To further familiarise the students with key texts/films/authors in German-speaking culture
• To give students an insight into the changing perceptions of happiness over the course of several centuries and to familiarise them with various theories of happiness
• Students will develop competence in reading and analysis of literary and theoretical discourse, also to some extent in the analysis of visual imagery.

• Literature, philosophical/theoretical texts, visual art, film (from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century). Set texts/films may vary from year to year in accordance with the research specialisms of the tutors year, since this is a team-taught, research-led module
• Students will gain an overview of historically and culturally crucial periods in Germany (topics may include for instance Goethe-Zeit, Weimar, Nazi Regime, twentieth and twenty-first centuries)

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Overview of debates about, and theories of, happiness and related areas in different phases of German culture history
• Understanding of key texts/films and their contexts
• Insights into broader debates surrounding the nature of happiness

Subject-specific Skills:

• Ability to analyse literary texts/films in their cultural, political and philosophical contexts
• Independent research skills, developed through two research-led essays
• Enhanced ability to discuss literary texts/films and concepts of happiness in both German and English, both orally and in writing

Key Skills:

• Enhanced range of fluency and expression in English and German
• Ability to formulate arguments coherently on the basis of appropriate and relevant evidence, and to present them in written form
• Ability to pursue a guided programme of self-directed study, leading to the production of an extended piece of written work which demonstrates engagement with relevant research literature

• The teaching on this module will be in German, and will involve a combination of plenary lectures and seminars.
• The summative assessment will be in German.
• Lectures will provide information about the historical context and introduce methodological issues.
• In seminars, students will have the opportunity to present and discuss the central questions arising from their reading of a range of texts.
• In both oral discussion and in summative assessed work, students will be able to demonstrate their ability to formulate clear arguments, and use both contextual and methodological knowledge in order to access and elucidate a corpus of literary, historical, philosophical, and/or filmic texts.

Formative assessment during seminars builds on independent study by students working individually or in pairs or small groups. In the seminars, students are expected to give short oral presentations, based on a set of diversified questions (such as reflecting on theoretical challenges, analysing secondary materials, presenting primary work outside the syllabus etc.) and reading materials, and where appropriate accompanied by written handouts and/or other visual aids. Oral feedback is provided regularly in the course of the seminar discussion.

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