German Humour

Subject GERM40014 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (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.
Prerequisites: Admission to the postgraduate diploma, postgraduate certificate or fourth-year honours in German. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed 37.5 points of European studies at second/third year and the language prerequisite for this subject.
Corequisites: none
Recommended Background Knowledge: none
Non Allowed Subjects: Formerly available as 126-075 and 673-389 German Humour. Students who have completed these subjects are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject will only be run if there is a minimum of six participants.
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/

Contact

heinz@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject considers the questions: What do Germans consider funny? How does the concept of humour change over time on a European and on a German scale? Are there things like humorous universals that are being laughed at in all cultures? Students who complete this subject should have an acquaintance with the most important European traditions of humour as they are echoed in the German traditions. have a familiarity with linguistic and literary techniques of humorous communication. have the capacity to analyse forms of humour that are specific to a certain epoch according to their respective cultural backgrounds. and have an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of cultural studies.
Objectives:

.
Assessment:

A 1000 word class paper 30% (due during the semester), and an essay of 3000 words for third year students, 4000 words for fourth year students 70% (due at the end of the semester).

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
Recommended Texts:

Information Not Available
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 contextualising information.

  • have developed skills in communicating knowledge intelligibly through oral presentations and essays in German.
Notes:

This subject is taught in German.

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