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PL22034: Beyond the Iron Curtain contemporary history of Germany and Austria

[Page last updated: 03 June 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWES 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Collaborative research blog (CWES 33%)
  • Essay (CWES 67%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take PL12010
Learning Outcomes:
  • Understanding of Germany's political and cultural development since 1990 [knowledge]
  • Understanding of East Germany's post-socialist transformation [knowledge]
  • Critical analysis of the politics of memory in Germany and Austria [knowledge; intellectual]
  • Examination of contemporary political and cultural challenges, e.g right-wing extremism; migration [knowledge; intellectual]
  • Ability to communicate complex contexts in German orally and in writing [transferrable skills]



Synopsis:
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* Advanced language route:
*
* you will study both `History and culture 2 units that apply to your chosen languages.
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* Advanced and beginner (_ab initio_) route:
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* you will study the `History and culture 2 unit that applies to your advanced language choice. - French: Francophone politics and culture - German: Beyond the Iron Curtain contemporary history of Germany and Austria - Spanish: Politics and culture of Latin America

Content: The fall of the Iron Curtain profoundly reshaped Germany and Austria. Through the lens of cultural studies, sociology and political theory students gain a critical understanding of these changes and how these affect contemporary German and Austrian society.

Course availability:

PL22034 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AKB68 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (German) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB55 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (French & German) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB55 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German & ab initio French) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB62 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German & ab initio Italian) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB63 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German & ab initio Mandarin) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB61 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German & ab initio Russian) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB60 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German & ab initio Spanish) with year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB60 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German & Spanish) with year abroad (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.