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Curricular information is subject to change
Upon successful completion of this module, students should have demonstrated:
1) knowledge and critical understanding of a range of key works in German during the Enlightenment and of the social and historical contexts in which they were written;
2) the ability to analyse the structure, style and language of these works and, where appropriate, to critique existing performances of these in correct and formal English;
3) the ability to engage in sustained, autonomous research and reading in the field, putting this into practice in the completion of a group project as well as an individual assignment;
4) effective and equitable teamwork, technological skills and conflict management;
5) the ability to comprehend written literary and academic spoken German.
The module looks first at a few short fables and a Kant's seminal essay "Was ist Aufklärung?", and then goes on to study three key dramatic works written during the period and which embody Enlightenment values and themes. We will also take a class to look more closely at the influential Prussian ruler, Friedrich der Große (= Friedrich der II.) A visit to the Masonic Lodge in Molesworth Street will take place on an agreed Friday afternoon.
Weeks 1-4: Introduction and then a short play by one of the key German writers of the Enlightenment, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing: "Die Juden" (The Jews), a drama that combines traditional and innovative features, and deals with themes such as tolerance, friendship, forgiveness.
Weeks 5-7: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Urfaust", his first version of his famous "Faust" drama, belonging to the heady Sturm and Drang era within the Enlightenment, which centres on the triangular conflict between Faust, the tempting devil figure Mephisto, and the young girl Gretchen that Faust claims to love
Weeks 8-12: Mozart's delightful and best-loved opera "Die Zauberflöte" (libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder) about the journey to Enlightenment of the fairy-tale couple, Pamina and Tamino. All the figures in the opera are colourful and contrasting figures. The opera is steeped in Enlightenment allusions and Masonic symbolism, and we will be looking at these also.
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Seminar (or Webinar) | 22 |
| Field Trip/External Visits | 2 |
| Specified Learning Activities | 38 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 48 |
| Total | 110 |
An interest in the literature and culture of the eighteenth century and an ability to read texts in German at the level of B1 of the CEFR.
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | % of Final Grade | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Project: Choice of Group poster or Group presentation on allocated digital production of Mozart's "Zauberflöte", with peer and self-assessment | Week 12 | n/a | Graded | No | 45 |
| Essay: Short critical and stylistic analysis on the first 2 plays (c. 1,200 words in English) | Week 7 | n/a | Graded | No | 45 |
| Continuous Assessment: Quizzes and reflections on the material via learning journals. | Throughout the Trimester | n/a | Graded | No | 10 |
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Yes - 2 Hour |
• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities
Continuous assessment will contribute to a better understand of the lectures and texts. Mid-term essay submitted at the end of week 7, individual feedback at the latest by week 11. (Students who submit an outline or draft of their essay by the end of week 6, will get feedback on this.) Group project to be presented during the classes in week 12. Feedback after the official results are published. The group project will include self- and peer-assessment. (If an outline is submitted by the end of class-time in week 11, feedback will be provided.)