Students

GMN 361 – Berlin - A Window to German Culture and History

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Ulrike Garde
ulrike.garde@mq.edu.au
Contact via ulrike.garde@mq.edu.au
AHH L2 North Wing
Brief consultations: after the Thu seminar; longer appointments: Please arrange a time via email
Susanne Binder
susanne.binder@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
6cp at 200 level including GMN288
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines the role of Berlin as a cultural and political centre. It explores Berlin's place in history, as well as its image in literature and film. Starting with a brief historical overview, selected periods of life in Berlin are studied in more detail. Students are presented with texts in German (short literary texts, texts on historical and political developments, documentary style videos and films in German). Assessment is by coursework.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history
  • Present and discuss – in German – aspects of the city of Berlin in its contemporary cultural and its historical context
  • Research and write – in German – about a specific aspect of German culture and/or history as it relates to Berlin

General Assessment Information

Preparation, attendance and participation

Students are expected to prepare the course work to be covered in class in advance, as set out in programs or announced in class.

  • Day/campus students:  Attendance and active participation at these seminars, as well as regular access to and interaction with the iLearn site for GMN361 are compulsory components of the unit.

If a student is unable to attend a seminar or cannot have a regular presence on the iLearn site, appropriate apologies must be received.

Assessment Tasks

Guidelines for researching and composing the assessment tasks as well as assessment criteria (rubics) are available on iLearn. The Essays are to be submitted electronically via Turnitin in the iLearn website.

The Assessment Tasks are compulsory and must be submitted electronically at the time specified. By electronically submitting their assignments, students declare that they have read and understood the Academic Honesty statement in this study guide. They certify that their assignment is entirely their own work and that they have given fully documented references to the work of others, and that their assignments have not previously, in part or in whole, been submitted for assessment in any formal course of study.

Assessment tasks assignments are compulsory and must be submitted on time. Assignment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date.  

For Special Consideration Policy see under Policies and Procedures.

Late Assessment Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Presentation 10% No Weeks 3 and 4 (TBA)
Discussion Forum 10% No Weeks 1 - 13
Essay 1 35% No Week 7
Essay 2 45% No Week 12

Presentation

Due: Weeks 3 and 4 (TBA)
Weighting: 10%

Sights of Berlin and their significance (your choice)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history
  • Present and discuss – in German – aspects of the city of Berlin in its contemporary cultural and its historical context

Discussion Forum

Due: Weeks 1 - 13
Weighting: 10%

Regular contributions in the Discussion Forums related to the topic of the current week.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history
  • Present and discuss – in German – aspects of the city of Berlin in its contemporary cultural and its historical context
  • Research and write – in German – about a specific aspect of German culture and/or history as it relates to Berlin

Essay 1

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 35%

Students choose a  personality associated with Berlin and research their life, cultural and/or historical context. A range of intended audiences can be discussed with the course convenor prior to submission.

Word length: 400-500 Words
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history
  • Research and write – in German – about a specific aspect of German culture and/or history as it relates to Berlin

Essay 2

Due: Week 12
Weighting: 45%

Students choose a topic focusing on a theme about social, political, historical and cultural issues concerning Berlin. This topic needs to be discussed with the course convenor no later than in Week 10.

Word length: 900-1000 Words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history
  • Research and write – in German – about a specific aspect of German culture and/or history as it relates to Berlin

Delivery and Resources

Lecture time and location:

For current updates, lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetables website: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/.

Attendance and active participation in these seminars, as well as regular access to and interaction with the iLearn site for GMN361 are compulsory components of the unit.

Required and recommended texts

Course materials consist of readings on the different topic areas for discussion, as well as documentaries and films. A bibliography with recommended texts is provided on iLearn. -  In addition to the materials provided in class and on the iLearn site for GMN361, you are encouraged to read widely and add to this bibliography. The following websites are of interest:

Informationen zu Berlin

Berliner Zeitungen

 Wochenzeitungen

Überregionale Zeitungen in Deutschland

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Online Unit

Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For students attending classes on campus we strongly encourage that you bring along your own laptop computer, ready to work with activities in your online unit. The preferred operating system is Windows 10.

Students are required to access the online unit in iLearn by the end of Week 1 and follow any relevant instructions and links for downloads that may be required. If applicable, students are required to download the relevant language package prior to Week 2.

Please contact your course convenor before the end of Week 1 if you do not have a suitable laptop (or tablet) for in-class use.

 

Unit Schedule

Woche 1

Einführung: Berlin „subjektiv“ – eigene und fremde Stimmen

Woche 2

Berlin - (Über~) Blick in die Geschichte

Woche 3

Berlin – die Stadt, ihre Wahrzeichen und Sehenswürdigkeiten (1)

Woche 4

Berlin – die Stadt, ihre Wahrzeichen und Sehenswürdigkeiten (2)

Woche 5

Großstadt Berlin: die “goldenen”  Zwanziger Jahre? Autoren: Kurztexte, Textauszüge   

Woche 6

Großstadt Berlin: die “goldenen”  Zwanziger Jahre? Bildende Kunst und Künstler

Woche 7

Berlin im Film – Visualisierung von Geschichte

Woche 8

Berlin und der Nationalsozialismus 

Woche 9 

Berlin - Geteilte Stadt in geteiltem Land (1945-1989)

Woche 10

Berlin – Wiedervereinigung (1989 - 2014 25 Jahre)

Woche 11

Szene West: Kreuzberg

Woche 12

Szene Ost: Prenzlauer Berg

Woche 13

Berlin heute: „Arm aber sexy?“

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Present and discuss – in German – aspects of the city of Berlin in its contemporary cultural and its historical context
  • Research and write – in German – about a specific aspect of German culture and/or history as it relates to Berlin

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Discussion Forum
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history
  • Present and discuss – in German – aspects of the city of Berlin in its contemporary cultural and its historical context
  • Research and write – in German – about a specific aspect of German culture and/or history as it relates to Berlin

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Discussion Forum
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history
  • Present and discuss – in German – aspects of the city of Berlin in its contemporary cultural and its historical context
  • Research and write – in German – about a specific aspect of German culture and/or history as it relates to Berlin

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Discussion Forum
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history
  • Present and discuss – in German – aspects of the city of Berlin in its contemporary cultural and its historical context

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Discussion Forum
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history
  • Present and discuss – in German – aspects of the city of Berlin in its contemporary cultural and its historical context
  • Research and write – in German – about a specific aspect of German culture and/or history as it relates to Berlin

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Discussion Forum
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Present and discuss – in German – aspects of the city of Berlin in its contemporary cultural and its historical context
  • Research and write – in German – about a specific aspect of German culture and/or history as it relates to Berlin

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Discussion Forum
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Read and analyse different types of texts - in German - that deal with key aspects of German culture and history

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Discussion Forum
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2

Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

The unit aims to further consolidate language skills at C1 / C2 level, described as follows in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): the students can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning; can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes; can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.