DI5527 Theology in 20th Century German Literature

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof J Wolfe

Prof J Wolfe
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof J Wolfe

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Faced with existential crises of politics, culture, and religion, 20th-century German authors have tried to reimagine literature as a path through a pathless time. Many of the great works of literature of this time -- by authors including Stefan Zweig, Rainer Maria Rilke, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Thomas Mann, Berthold Brecht, Hermann Hesse, Paul Celan etc. -- grapple with fundamental questions which theology cannot ignore. This module gives students the chance to engage in-depth with one author a year (Thomas Mann in 2022/23, Rainer Maria Rilke in 2024/25, Paul Celan in 2025/26). Its unique, immersive format gives students time to read relevant texts and scholarship over a period of time, and to discuss them with focus and intensity.

Assessment pattern

Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Every second week one consultation concerning directed reading: 10 contact hours At the end of the semester one block seminar: 3 days of 6 hours: 2 lectures: 2 seminars per day

Scheduled learning hours

106

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

200

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • read a literary text closely, drawing on secondary scholarship as relevant
  • discuss theological questions raised by the text
  • articulate different ways in which the relationship between theology and literature might be understood
  • engage in constructive conversation about a text with readers of varying backgrounds and viewpoints
  • present a written argument about a relevant aspect of the text or its context