BA German Studies / Course details

Running parallel with the Level-1 course units Revolution and Reaction in German Culture and Introduction to German Linguistics, this course will enable students to deepen their appreciation and understanding of German literature and develop their reading skills in German. Through small-group tutorials, individual meetings, and private study, students will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to write commentaries and essays on a wide variety of texts (e.g., short stories, poems, novels and films). The tutorials will focus on a range of tutor-led and student-led activities designed to develop understanding of German literature and methods of analysing and discussing it. 

Available to students studying Single Honors/Major in German.

• To develop critical thinking, conceptual reasoning and analytical skills 

• To develop the ability to read and analyse literary texts 

• To develop the ability to place literary texts in social and political context 

• To develop a better understanding of the historical and social realities of the German-speaking world 

• To develop a better understanding of literary texts in German 

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of canonical German literary texts 

• write commentaries and essays discussing and analysing German literary texts 

• place the texts in their historical context 

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

• conceive their own commentary and essay topics 

• demonstrate understanding of German literary language 

• discuss and analyse German literary texts 

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

• use the library, electronic and online resources. 

• use reporting skills during student-led in-class activities 

• write commentaries and essays on German literary texts 

On successful completion of course units in German Studies students will have developed their ability to: 

• manage time, and work to deadlines; 

• use information and communication technology (ICT); 

• undertake independent learning and reflect upon their achievements; 

• assess the relevance and importance of the ideas of others; 

• demonstrate powers of analysis; 

• display good literacy skills in English and German; 

• show an awareness of and a responsiveness to the nature and extent of intercultural diversity

Resit Assessment

Set Texts: 

Semester 1: A selection of short stories, poems and films will be made available on Blackboard 

Semester 2: Students will be guided in selecting a suitable text and formulating a research question for discussion in their essay. Relevant materials will be available via the University of Manchester library and in affordable pocket editions. 

Suggested further readings 

Belsey, Catherine, Critical Practice, London: Routledge, 2002 (2nd ed.)    

Chambers, Ellie, and Andrew Northledge, The Arts Good Study Guide (Milton Keynes: Oxford University Press, 1997) 

Cuddon, J. A., The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory (any edition) 

Jacobs, Richard, A Beginner’s Guide to Critical Reading: Reading for Students, London: Routledge, 2001 NetLib ebook 

Montgomery, Martin et al, Ways of Reading: Advanced Reading Skills for Students of English Literature, London: Routledge, 2000  

Reardon, Denis, Doing Your Undergraduate Project (London: SAGE, 2004) Bal, Mieke, Narratology: Introduction to the Theory of Narrative, London/Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1985  

Rimmon-Kenan, Shlomith, Narrative Fiction, London/NY: Methuen, 2002 (2nd edn.)