ClassInfo

The German media have a strong tradition of free, independent, and rigorous news reporting. At the same time, the German press has faced serious concerns about censorship, and smear campaigns in German tabloids have been cited as a cause for physical violence perpetrated by readers. In addition to traditional news outlets, other forms of media such as films, literature, and architecture play a crucial role in the way Germany deals with its past and invents an identity for its future. This rich media landscape will serve as our field of study in German 3014.

Students will examine themes from contemporary German culture through the lens of various forms of media. Course materials include frequent brief readings and viewing assignments from German news sources. Additional materials include experimental and popular films, graphic novels, internet blogs, and architectural works such as memorials and monuments, as well as excerpts from important works of media theory. Students will respond to these materials in class discussions, a number of short written responses, two analytic papers, and two creative media assignments.

Readings, assignments, and discussions are in German.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

● have a deeper understanding of German media theory and history

● discuss and analyze current and historical events in German-language media

● compare German-language media (newspapers, radio, television, internet)

● understand and discuss different perspectives on current events and the way they are represented in German-language media

● understand and reproduce vocabulary associated with media and texts

● apply new vocabulary and structures in your written and oral assignments

Assignment

Points (per assignment)

Total % Final Grade

Active Participation

2 / Week

30%

Essays

15 / Essay

30%

Blog Entry

10 / Entry

10%

Groupwork
(Podcast)

10 / Audio

10%

Discussion

10 / Presentation

10%

Vocabulary Test

5 / Test

5%

Interview

5 / Interview

5%

Total Value

100%

In-class activities include

● class and group discussions on current events

● viewing of short video clips with class or group discussions

● interpretation of images

● short group writing assignments with feedback

● short progress checks (quizzes, polls, surveys, take-aways)

● instructor feedback on writing assignments, discussion posts

Homework assignments include

● reading assignments in preparation for class

● video or audio assignments in preparation for class

● posts in discussion forums (this is graded under active participation)

● short reflective writing assignments in preparation for longer essays

● Interview project with an assigned partner

● midterm and final essay