| Unit name | Die Mitte: Centrist German Politics and its Language |
|---|---|
| Unit code | GERM30079 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Fricker |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | Department of German |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
The unit explores how ideas about the political centre-ground developed into full-scale visions of what Germany is about, and how strong, stable institutions (media, parties, corporations, lobby groups) have deliberately positioned themselves as protagonists of this ever-innovative, increasingly inclusive German post-war mainstream. Post-war (West) German politics has been marked by a desire within almost every political party to occupy the centre ground, and crucial debates and decisions are framed as ways towards securing the centre against destabilising influences of every kind. The ideas and institutions of the German mainstream command considerable traction: they have been seen as a defence against the repetition of mid-century catastrophes, as a bridge between the distinct institutions of community and society (Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft), and as representing values that must be defended when under threat. All of these have been perceived as increasingly urgent again over the past decade or so, and this urgency will be the unit’s starting point.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
To a considerable extent, politics consists of the strategic deployment of speech acts for the purposes of gaining or exercising power. Policy-making, too, is largely done through linguistic processes – from consultation through framing to the drafting of bills and laws. As a Modern Languages student, your cultural and linguistic knowledge enables you to assess the way language is the key driver and fabric of political debates and institutions. The unit builds on your knowledge of the way the German language works, at both (lexical, morphological, syntactical) micro and (political, social, cultural) macro levels; it will allow you to contribute based on what you have learnt so far in your programme, including on a Year Abroad, and it will encourage you to take an independent, active role as researcher.
An overview of content
The first part of the unit will be dedicated to exploring theories of the political centre and methods of analysing political discourse. Based on these foundations, the unit will then examine language use on various levels: languages by individual and institutional political actors; the language of key political debates and decisions; differences in language use between political actors and major media outlets. Overall, the unit aims to illuminate how political language is used to articulate substantive positions, criticise those of other actors, and legitimise decisions proposed or taken. By focusing on political language, the unit aims to highlight the functions of key political actors, including the voting public and the media.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
In this unit, you will develop skills that will allow you to become an enquiring and independent researcher as well as an effective communicator. Through in-depth language analysis, this unit will also strengthen your reflective capacities. You will be better equipped to analyse debates that you yourself are implicated in, or that you may wish to engage with.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
Teaching and learning in this unit will be focused on interaction and inquiry. Many of the issues we will analyse are live political debates, whose precise shape may be difficult and all the more important to delineate. Politics consists in the management of complex, heterogeneous and emergent situations (against the background of firmly-held convictions); it is thus appropriate that our own inquiry should follow a clear methodological compass (so as not to get lost in the seemingly endless tussle of debate), but we will re-examine and reflect on the usefulness of our methods after each specific analysis we carry out.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. GERM30079).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
