Course Catalogue

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This course examines a variety of positions on war, on socio-economic issues, on cultural identity, with reference to a selection of texts by seminal writers before and after the turn of the century ― E.M. Remarque, Bertolt Brecht, and Gerhart Hauptmann, concluding with Nietzsche, whose Zarathustra issues a call for a "re-evaluation of all values".

20 1-hour seminars at days and times to be arranged.

Confirmed acceptance on to either the German Honours or Level 3 programmes.

Coursework: 2000-3000 word essay (50%). Exam: 1.5-hour examination (50%).

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

· to examine the concept of re-evaluation in literature.
· to examine in detail three seminal texts by authors writing during the Weimar Republic.
· to discuss the literary themes and innovations illustrated in the set texts.
· to situate the literary works in the cultural and historical context of the Weimar Republic.
· to provide students with an account of Nietzsche's thought.
· to examine his intellectual method through a detailed study of Also sprach Zarathustra.
· to relate Nietzsche's thought to the development of Modern German thought.

By the end of the course students should be able to demonstrate:
· a detailed knowledge of the set texts and be able to discuss and write about them fluently.
· the ability to analyse the important themes and narrative and dramatic techniques employed by writers during the period.
· an understanding of the cultural and historical background against which the literary works are set.
· an understanding of Nietzsche's contribution to the development of modern German thought.
· the ability to identify and analyse the main themes dealt with in Also sprach Zarathustra.
· an understanding of the radical nature of Nietzsche's method and the originality of his language and style.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.