This module introduces you to the analysis of German-speaking films in their cultural, social and political contexts. Focussing on key contemporary directors and their films, you will discover lesser known German speaking films and develop a deeper understanding of film as discourse, i.e. as both, a representative practice as well as a representation of the world.
You will also engage in collaborative project work to organise and deliver a German-speaking film screening for a non-specialist audience. The module is taught and assessed in German.
Prerequisite modules
German Language and Cultures: Upper Intermediate AND Understanding German-Speaking Cultures and Societies (Post A-level) OR
Intensive German Language and Cultures: Beginner AND Understanding German-Speaking Cultures and Societies (ab initio) OR
Comparable level of German proficiency (module open as elective).
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 2 2024-25 |
This module aims to
to increase students' knowledge of German speaking films and their social, cultural, political and historical contexts
to introduce students to basic concepts of film analysis and its practical applications
to develop the ability to communicate knowledge about German speaking films to a non-specialist audience
to work effectively as a team in organising an event for a non-specialist audience
to develop further communication skills in spoken and written German
to improve proficiency in spoken and written German
By the end of the module students should:
have knowledge and understanding of a number of important German speaking films and their social, cultural, political and historical contexts
be able to analyse, research and compare films and show a deeper understanding of the culture and society of German speaking countries
be able to apply basic concepts of film analysis
be able to make positive contributions to a group project
be able to communicate at a good level of proficiency in German in a variety of situations
The module will be divided into two strands.
In the first strand, a number of key contemporary German speaking films and their directors are covered. Equipped with key concepts and categories of film analysis, students will analyse in more detail these films from two perspectives: the represented society and cultures and their representation.
In the second strand, the module will introduce students to the organisation of a film event for a German speaking audience. In groups, students will select and study a film related to the module content in order to create an instructive and engaging event. Practical sessions will cover basic considerations of event-organisation and promotion, the creation of supporting documents such as a programme-leaflet, and how to deliver a film introduction and to lead a post-screening discussion with the audience.
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 60 |
Groupwork | 40 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 60 |
Essay/coursework | 40 |
Feedback on formative work:
Oral commentary and dialogue within class on oral and written work. Given immediately both to individuals and to group.
Written comments and mark on the University scale given to individual students for longer pieces of formative work such as practice essays, with opportunity for individual consultation; the essays will be returned to students two weeks after seminar.
Feedback on summative work:
Filmprojekt: Written individual and group feedback given within 3 weeks of delivery of group project.
Filmhausarbeit: Written feedback to be provided within 25 working days.
Alice Bienk: Filmsprache. Einführung in die interaktive Filmanalyse. 2008
Ilka Brombach: Eine offene Geschichte des Kinos: Alexander Kluge, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Wim Wenders, Christian Petzold, Thomas Arslan, Michael Haneke. Filmlektüren mit Jacques Rancière (Traversen). 2014
Stefan Grissemann: Sündenfall. Die Grenzüberschreitungen des Ulrich Seidl. 2013
Knut Hickethier: Film und Fernsehanalyse. 2012
Birgit Mandel (Hg.): Kulturvermittlung - zwischen kultureller Bildung und Kulturmarketing: Eine Profession mit Zukunft. 2005
James Monaco, Hans Michael Bock: film verstehen. Das Lexikon. 2011
Manfred Mai, Rainer Winter (Hg.): Das Kino der Gesellschaft – die Gesellschaft des Kinos. 2006
Katharina Müller: Haneke: Keine Biografie 2014
Georg Seeßlen: Die Anti-Erzählmaschine. in: der Freitag. Das Meinungsmedium 2007. Abrufbar unter: https://www.freitag.de/autoren/der-freitag/die-anti-erzahlmaschine (Stand: 30/10/2017)
Christian Wessely, Gerhard Larcher, Franz Grabner (Hg.): Michael Haneke und seine Filme. Eine Pathologie der Konsumgesellschaft. 2005
Further course material will be supplied by the tutor.