East meets West since Unification

Subject 673-390 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2.5 hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: 37.5 points of second/third-year subjects in German language. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed 37.5 points of European studies at second/third year.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Heinz Leonhard Leo Kretzenbacher

Contact

Alison Lewis

lewisa@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject examines German authors' response to German unification. Who in fact is 'das Volk' that was proclaimed in the popular slogan 'Wir sind das Volk' in 1989? Does to be German mean to be West German? What has the result of unification been on East German identity and their sense of belonging to the new Germany? These questions of identity and 'imagined' community will be examined by comparing and contrasting works by East and West German writers from the decade since unification. On completion of the subject students should have acquired a detailed knowledge of a selection of representative German texts from the period 1989-1999 and an appreciation of the socio-historical context in which these texts were produced and read.
Objectives:
  • have gained an understanding of what it means to be German after unification and the problems of belonging and identity for Ossis and Wessis;
  • have acquired a detailed knowledge of a selection of representative German texts from the period 1989-1999;
  • have an appreciation of the socio-historical context in which these texts were produced and read;
  • have a critical appreciation of the conceptual issues concerning the German nation as an 'imagined' community and forms of identity formation.
Assessment: A 1000 word class paper during semester (3rd year) and a 1200 word class paper during semester (4th year) 30%, and an essay of 3000 words (end of semester) (3rd year) 4000 words (end of semester) (4th year) 70%.
Prescribed Texts:
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • have acquired skills in research, critical thinking and contextualizing information;
  • also have developed skills in communicating knowledge intelligibly through oral presentations and essays in German.
Notes: This subject is taught in German. Formerly available as 126-032. Students who have completed 126-032 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Course(s): Diploma in Modern Languages (German)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: German
German Major

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