Course overview
Introduction to German Literature is a core Topics course of the Department of European Languages, and Linguistics. Taught at a lower-advanced level entirely in the target language, the course introduces students to the study of literature through a focus on canonical and popular literary texts.
Although the specific focus of the course will vary from semester to semester, you can expect to encounter a broad range of genres and historical periods. This course is designed to be a forum where students can use their encounter with literature to hone their language skills in the areas of speaking, writing, listening and reading.
For students enrolling through German Studies, the course introduces you to German Literature and its cultural contexts. Course readings, presented in the form of short texts or excerpts, gradually increase in linguistic and thematic complexity. They are taken from a range of literary genres, including poetry, the short story and the novel, and cover the major literary periods from the 18th to the 21st centuries. A focus throughout the course: developing language tools to read, understand and critically interpret German literary texts and to effectively communicate ideas about those texts orally and in writing. Taught entirely in German.
Course learning outcomes
- A critical understanding of important aspects of German history and European culture and the improved linguistic skills to deal with their representation in different media (textual, visual).
- The linguistic ability to identify, analyse, and evaluate cultural artefacts within their social, political and historical context including the history of media and knowledge.
- A better understanding of the processes of the generating and translation of meaning in the use of German for describing and analysing textual and visual materials.
- The ability to extract, synthesise and critically evaluate information from German primary and secondary sources in digital databases and libraries relating to course topics.
- The ability to work independently and cooperatively to explore issues and questions raised by texts and visual materials treated in the course and generate their own ideas.
- The ability to communicate information, ideas and arguments about topics treated in the course cogently, coherently, and with a degree of German on the upper-intermediate level, B2 of the Common European Framework for Languages.
- The ability to identify ethical, social, and literary issues relating topics treated in the course and assess their broader implications including transcultural perspectives.
- The knowledge base & analytical skills for further study & research in German Studies & the intercultural understanding desirable for students wanting to travel, work or study in Germany and Europe.
Availability
Class details
Adelaide City Campus East
Class number 57662
Section SE01
Size 20
Available 20
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