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Contemporary German Speaking Film - LAN00040H

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module will introduce you to a number of key contemporary German speaking films and their cultural and social contexts as well as to some tools of film analysis. It will also provide you with practical experience of working as part of a team to organise and deliver a screening of a German speaking film aimed at a non-specialist audience. The module is taught and assessed in German.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations


Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

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 advanced communication skills in spoken and written German
  • to improve further proficiency in spoken and written German

Module learning outcomes

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 in depth 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 effectively at an advanced level of proficiency in German in a variety of situations

Module content

In the first part, a number of key contemporary German speaking films is covered. Students will analyse and discuss in more detail these films and the ways they represent contemporary society and culture in German speaking countries. An introduction to film analysis and its basic categories will enable the students to analyse films with regards to both the represented social and cultural world and its representation.

In the second part, the module will introduce students to the organisation of a film screening. 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 promoting an event, creating documentation of an event and also delivering a film introduction and leading a discussion after the screening.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 60
Groupwork 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formative tasks are deveised throughout the year for students to prepare for the group project.

Discussion of progress of group work in seminars.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Module feedback

Feedback on formative work:
Oral commentary and dialogue within class on oral and written language work. Given immediately both to individuals and to group. Written comments and mark on the University scale given to individual students for practice essays, with opportunity for individual consultation; the essays will be returned to students two weeks after seminar.
Summative assessment and feedback:
Group project: Preparation and delivery of a film screening to a non-specialist audience including production of promotion and support material, and interacting in German with the audience at the event.
3000-word essay in German
Feedback:
1. Written individual and group feedback given within 3 weeks of delivery of group project.
2. Written feedback to be provided within 20 working days.

Indicative reading

  • 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.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.