East meets West since Unification

Subject GERM30018 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

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

This subject is not offered in 2011.

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: Students who have completed 126-471 East Meets West Since Unification are not allowed to enrol in this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Subject Overview:

This subject examines German responses to German unification and the still faught question of german unity. Does to be German still 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 since 1989 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 since 1989.
  • 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 30%, and an essay of 3000 words (end of semester) 70%.

This subject has the following hurdle requirements:

  • Regular participation in tutorials is required with a minimum of 75% attendance.
  • All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day and in-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Prescribed Texts:

none

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.

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