German Studies

Welcome to German Studies! Here at Warwick we aim to introduce you to the fascinating and varied world of the German-speaking countries, Germany itself of course, as well as Austria and Switzerland. You are about to embark on a fascinating journey through one of Europe's most important languages and cultures - one which reaches further around the globe than you might think.

You'll be following a series of modules in your first year which aim to consolidate the language skills you acquired at school (unless you're joining our beginners' ab initio programme of course) as well introduce you to some key cultural works produced in the German language. You'll be looking at novels, poems, even films and cartoons, to understand how and why Germany and the other German-speaking countries developed the way they did. These modules will give you a thorough grounding in the subject of German Studies and act as a springboard into your second year, where you will begin to specialise in areas of particular interest to you.

Preparatory Reading

We do not require you to complete any reading before you join us in the autumn, but you may like to look at a basic history primer to enhance your knowledge of the development of the country we call Germany. One we would particularly recommend is:

Martin Kitchen & Lauren Faulkner Rossi, A History of Modern Germany: 1800 to the Present (Wiley-Blackwell, 2023).

GE101 Core language (post-A level)

Your core language module (for post-A level students) involves a number of weekly sessions practising spoken and written German in small groups, and introduces a whole range of texts and topics to help you to hone your skills in German language. Your tutors will normally be native speakers who will also help you to refine your accent, as well as the ability to listen to and understand German language media such as the news broadcast on TV or the internet.

Set Books & Reading

You will not need to buy any particular books, grammar references or dictionaries to participate in these classes, as there are plenty of online resources available. You will, however, be given advice about suitable textbooks should you wish to purchase these.

GE103 Beginners' German Language

This module is for those who have not had the chance to study German as far as A-level or equivalent. This includes those who are complete beginners. You will have five hours a week of varied sessions, all in the same group of students. You will work on speaking, reading, grammar, and later listening and writing, and will find out from the beginning how the German language works (week 1: '10 things you need to know about German'). This module will see you make rapid progress - and new friends. There is no preparatory work required, though if you want to listen to, watch, or read German in advance - or begin with it on an App - please do!

GE112 Provincial, Pariah, Powerhouse: Reading German-language Culture in Global Perspective

This is the core culture module for all first years, regardless of whether you are post-A level or a beginner in German.

On this module you will encounter landmarks in the history of modern Germany, which emerged as a nation out of a confederation of provinces and principalities in the 19th century. We will touch on the political turmoil, conflicts, and violence that at times made Imperial Germany, the Third Reich, and the post-1945 Germanies pariah states in the eyes of the international community. We will also reflect on the developments that led to contemporary Germany’s emergence as a cultural, political, and economic powerhouse, shaping global trends in film, literature, theatre, and music.

This module focuses on the media and representations through which many of us first encounter German-language culture: fairy tales and their cognates; performance, music, and screen culture. In other words, students will sample the works and ideas that have put Germany and the German language on the world map. We will meet a wide variety of notable characters whose works helped to define what German culture meant at a time when “Germany” did not yet exist, and when the global elite looked down upon German as a provincial lesser cousin to Latin, Italian, and French. How, then, did German literature, film, art, and music transform the status of the German language? How did German-speaking artists shape the cultural genres that we consume today? And how does engaging with these works give us a more differentiated understanding of the positive and negative aspects of Germany’s history and its global influence?

Preparatory reading and material

There is no need to read anything specific in advance, but we do begin with fairy tales, so why not read some of these and reconsider what you think of them? Look at the Grimms' tales, particularly Rapunzel, Frau Holle (Mother Holle) and, if you can, Die Nixe im Teich (The Nixie of the Mill-pond). You could also read Franz Kafka's Die Verwandlung (Metamorphosis), which we also study.