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GER20190

Academic Year 2025/2026

Grimms' Tales and Adaptations (GER20190)

Subject:
German
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Siobhan Donovan
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The two volumes of Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm’s "Kinder- und Hausmärchen" were first published in 1812 and 1815. In the volumes, the Grimm brothers collated more than 150 fairy tales, many of which have become familiar stories in households all over the world. Extended and revised by the Grimms themselves, translated into many languages, adapted and rewritten for stage, screen and opera house, parodied and modernised, tales such as "Aschenputtel", "Hänsel and Gretel", "Rotkäppchen", "Schneewittchen" and "Dornröschen" are known to millions of children and adults. However, even German speakers will today most likely not come into contact with the original Grimm tales (themselves a collation and adaptation from different sources) but instead with abbreviated, adapted or even ‘disneyfied’ versions.
The module introduces students to the theoretical concept of adaptation via the Grimms' tales. We will examine a selection of the tales, undertaking close reading, and consider their 'afterlife': i.e. looking at the tales as adaptations of pre-existing and often orally transmitted sources, at aspects of their editorial history and rewriting. and at some examples of translations into English. The module aims to help students develop their close reading and analytical skills.
2 adaptations that we will focus on in detail are:
- 1) A European classic cult film, the East German/Czech adaptation of "Aschenputtel" [Cinderella] from 1973-74, titled "Drei Nüsse für Aschenbrödel" where the heroine, Popelka, is feisty, rebellious and tomboyish.
- 2) The famous operatic adaptation of "Hänsel und Gretel" from 1893 by Engelbert Humperdinck, with a much larger role for the witch. This opera continues to delight young and old in Germany and far beyond.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

- Identify and describe some basic features of the fairy-tale genre
- Set the Grimms' fairy tales into their historical context
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the concept of adaptation
- Discuss different forms of adaptation, such as different editions, translations, films, literary adaptations, operatic adaptations
- Engage in close analysis to interpret aspects of different forms of adaptation of selected fairy tales
- Research, organise and write an essay analysing an topic relating to the libretto and a production of Humperdinck's opera "Hänsel und Gretel"
- Demonstrate ongoing personal engagement with module content

Indicative Module Content:

The module is divided into 3 blocks:
Weeks 1 and 2: Issues of genre, historical context, adaptation theory
Weeks 3-7: Grimms’ "Kinder- und Hausmärchen" – editorial history, editions, English translations, famous feminist film adaptation of "Cinderella" (East German-Czech co-production) "3 Haselnüsse für Aschenputtel" with subtitles.
Weeks 8-12: Operatic “translation” and adaptation – case study of "Hänsel und Gretel" from Grimms' tale via Bechstein to the operatic stage at the end of the 19th century, taking in productions that will be made available on Brightspace.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Specified Learning Activities

56
Autonomous Student Learning

25
Total

105

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The classes will include mini-lectures (where lecture slides will be made available on Brightspace), and students will participate in class discussions and group work, practising their critical and analytical skills. Directed homework tasks and reading guidelines will prompt independent learning.

Generative AI will be used for certain purposes under the guidance of the module coordinator, within academic integrity guidelines and where it benefits the learning process. This corresponds to amber on the traffic light system that has been adopted by UCD Arts & Humanities: https://www.ucd.ie/artshumanities/study/aifutures/trafficlightsystem/

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students must be able to read literary texts in German.


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): Essay 1,500-max. 2,000 words (in English) on an aspect of a chosen production (in Brightspace) of the opera "Hänsel und Gretel" with reference to the adaptation process. Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
55
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Four tasks: the best 3 out of 4 short Brightspace quizzes on the primary reading (weeks 3, 5, 8, 10) and 1 learning journal reflection (week 7). Week 3, Week 5, Week 7, Week 8, Week 10 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: In-person class test on Wed. 25 Feb. Close analysis with guided questions on a choice of excerpts from the the texts covered to-date. Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No

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, 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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback will be given on the assignments. Students will be encouraged to submit an overview/structure of the essay in order to get feedback.

2 primary texts for purchase from the Campus Bookshop (ca. 12 euros in total)
- Brüder Grimm: Ausgewählte Märchen. Studienausgabe (Stuttgart: Reclam, 2020)
- Engelbert Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel [libretto], (Stuttgart: Reclam, 2000)

Other primary readings will be made available on Brightspace, also the film "Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel" (adaptation of the tale "Aschenputtel" [Cinderella]), and different productions of the Humperdinck opera "Hänsel und Gretel".
Recommended secondary reading will be published on Brightspace, and the titles will be in the library or online.

Name Role
Dr Siobhan Donovan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gillian Pye Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sabine Strumper-Krobb Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
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