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GER10150

Academic Year 2026/2027

German History on Screen (GER10150)

Subject:
German
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Gillian Pye
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is an introductory module for students interested in German culture, history and film. It focuses on a number of key events and figures in German history of the twentieth century, exploring how they have been portrayed in recent popular German-language films. Films will be in German with English subtitles.

From the Holocaust to the fall of the Soviet Union and its satellite states, Germany was at the epicentre of global historical events throughout the twentieth century. Cultural memory plays an important role both in how a nation imagines itself and how others see it, and the legacies of various events, figures and regimes have been fiercely debated in Germany and beyond. It is clear that since the beginnings of early newsreel and the first moving pictures, films have been crucial not only in recording but also in shaping collective memories and the transmission of history. As the distance to historical events widens and witnesses die out, we become increasingly reliant upon archive materials and fictionalized representations of the past. This means that even though we may not have experienced an event at first hand, we may be very familiar with its sights and sounds. As scholars have argued, this reminds us that ‘history is a construction not a reflection’ (Rosenstone, 1995).

In this module, students will learn about historical events, figures and debates by carrying out independent research and listening to short expert talks, they will be introduced to theories of cultural memory and postmemory and they will acquire basic tools for film analysis.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module students will:
• demonstrate sound knowledge of the historical events and figures covered in the module
• show a basic understanding of concepts such as cultural memory, postmemory and history as narrative construct
• demonstrate a basic understanding of key techniques in filmic narrative
• show an ability to critically analyse film treatments of historical events and figures, in English of an appropriate standard, both
orally and in writing
• show a basic awareness of ethical issues in representing historical events and people in fictional forms

Indicative Module Content:

This module will focus on selected German-language films (with English-language subtitles) covering historical figures and events including Hitler and the Third Reich, left-wing terrorism of the 1970s, East Germany and German unification, post-war cultural diversity and second and third-generation guest-workers.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Novice

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Novice

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Novice

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Not addressed

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Novice

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Novice

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Not addressed

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Novice

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Reduce inequality within and among countries 1

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 1

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Lectures

12
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In-class learning will be facilitated by interactive lectures, plenary and small-group discussions.
Autonomous learning activities will include viewing films, listening to podcasts, researching background information).

Contact hours will be taught in person on campus, depending on UCD and Government health guidelines.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): ca. 1000-word assignment Week 5 Graded No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): Written exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
70
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will be provided with information in a rubric to help them to understand the requirements of assessment tasks. Class discussions will offer students the opportunity to learn from each other and to ask questions. Students will receive group oral feedback on the mid-term assignment and individual written feedback on their own work. Self-assessment activities prior to the exam will help students to evaluate their own understanding and identify gaps.

Name Role
Dr Siobhan Donovan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Sherry Ishak Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gillian Pye Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Joseph Twist Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
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