Skip to main content
Unit of study_

GRMN2632: Weimar Germany

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces students to the history, culture, and society of the Weimar Republic. Lasting from 1919 to 1933, the Weimar Republic was Germany's first democracy. Bookended by the First World War and the Third Reich, this period in modern Germany saw great cultural experimentation, but also extraordinary political turbulence. Using a variety of textual sources in the original language, as well as visual material and film, students will reflect on what makes the Weimar Republic essential for understanding modern Germany.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GRMN2632
Academic unit Germanic Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
GRMN2450
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 or 2000 or 3000 level from Germanic Studies
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Cat Moir, cat.moir@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Maria Veber, maria.veber@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Source analysis 1
analysis of text, image or object relating to one of the weekly topics
15% Week 04 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Source analysis 2
analysis of text, image or object relating to one of the weekly topics
15% Week 06 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Essay plan
Essay plan outlining argument, evidence, and main sources to be used
10% Week 08 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Presentation Presentation
Class presentation
20% Week 13 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Essay
Essay responding to one of the assigned questions
40% Week 14 (STUVAC) 2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7

Assessment summary

Source analysis: (x2) You will be required to analyse a textual or visual source with the aid of secondary literature in order to make an argument about what it reveals about aspects of Weimar politics, society, or culture. 

Presentation: Choosing from a list of case studies, you will research a figure, event, or movement in order to gain more in-depth knowledge about an aspect of the Weimar Republic. Presentations can be done individually or in pairs (but you will each receive an individual mark).

Essay: Responding to one of the essay questions provided, you will conduct independent research in order to make an argument about an aspect of the Weimar Republic. You will submit a short plan of the essay in advance for feedback, which will also be assessed.

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Sophisticated and thoroughly convincing work, with some evidence of independent research. Demonstrates broad reading and a wide-ranging understanding of the topic in its wider contexts. Shows sensitivity to formal and rhetorical aspects of the text or artefact under consideration, be they linguistic, visual, narratological, dramatic, or a combination of these. Shows considerable critical awareness and powers of analysis. Answer illuminates the terms of the question and is thorough, relevant, cogent, and closely argued throughout. Excellent evidence to show that all learning outcomes appropriate to the level are fully satisfied. Presentation (bibliography, referencing, scholarly style, etc.) to professional standards. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Lucid and persuasive work. Brings substantial relevant reading and a clear understanding of the topic in its wider contexts to bear on the question, and may demonstrate independent research. Shows sensitivity to formal and rhetorical aspects of the text or artefact under consideration, be they linguistic, visual, narratological, dramatic, or a combination of these. Shows critical awareness, scholarly rigour, and powers of analysis, and integrates critical concepts and examples fully into the flow of the discussion. Clear, relevant, and focused structure, though some lapses in argumentation may be acceptable if compensated by sustained excellence in other areas. Very good evidence to show that all learning outcomes appropriate to the level are fully satisfied. Presentation (bibliography, referencing, scholarly style, etc.) to a very high standard. 

Credit

65 - 74

Well-focused work. Demonstrates appropriate reading that may go beyond standard examples and sources, and a clear understanding of the topic, but need not demonstrate independent research. Some answers at this level will demonstrate independent research, but would require further reading and/or attention to expression, argumentation, and presentation in order to attract a first$class mark. Shows some sensitivity to formal and rhetorical aspects of the text or artefact under consideration, be they linguistic, visual, narratological, dramatic, or a combination of these. Argument is generally clear and relevant, though lapses may be compensated by very good elements elsewhere. Good evidence to show that all learning outcomes appropriate to the level are fully satisfied. Presentation (bibliography, referencing, scholarly style, etc.) to a very high standard. 

Pass

50 - 64

Broadly relevant but sometimes unreflective or unfocused work. Shows some evidence of relevant reading and knowledge of topic, but relies on a limited number of basic examples and sources. Shows little sensitivity to formal and rhetorical aspects of the text or artefact under consideration. Answer largely descriptive rather than analytical, with superficial grasp of critical issues. May offer potentially sound ideas and arguments, but without integrating these into a clear overall argument, or backing them up with sufficient supporting evidence. Answer may remain thin, short, or sketchy, diffuse in structure, or unclear in expression, and may present significant quantities of material that is unrelated to the argument. Sound but limited evidence that all the learning outcomes appropriate to the level are satisfied. Presentation (bibliography, referencing, scholarly style, etc.) to a barely acceptable standard. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

If you are experiencing difficulty submitting your work on time for any reason, please contact the unit coordinator and apply for special consideration within three days of the due date.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

Study commitment: Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a broad understanding of the history, culture, and society of the Weimar Republic
  • LO2. understand intermediate to complex texts in German dealing with the history, culture, and society of the Weimar Republic
  • LO3. analyse cultural artefacts in terms of what they reveal about the Weimar Republic
  • LO4. demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a group
  • LO5. demonstrate the ability to complete independent research
  • LO6. demonstrate the ability to advance an argument
  • LO7. demonstrate the capacity to engage critically with a range of secondary sources in both English and German

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

this is the first time this unit has been offered in this form

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.