Course syllabus
German 291/391 : The German Connection with New Zealand
SEMESTER 2, 2018
15 points
Course Convenor: Nicole Perry nicole.perry@auckland.ac.nz
Teacher: Nicole Perry
Arts 2 Room 413
office hours: Tuesdays 12-1 or by appointment
Course delivery format:
Lecture 291/391: Tuesdays 9-11 Arts 1-220 (206-220)
Tutorial 291: Fridays 2-3 Arts 1-202 (206-202)
Tutorial 391: Fridays 3-4 Arts 1-202 (206-202)
(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)
Summary of Course Description:
A study of the German connection with New Zealand and by extension the South Pacific, with special reference to the arts and sciences, German-speaking settlements in the nineteenth century and German and Austrian refugees in the twentieth century. This course will be broken down into three key sections:
1) German and Austrian migration to New Zealand and the South Pacific both past and present, with a specific focus on selected biographies. We will consider these biographies and autobiographies under the interdisciplinary study of life writing to reflect on the impact of these migrants to the South Pacific.
2) German works of fiction set in the South Pacific. We will read and analyse the work Imperium by the contemporary "Wunderkind" Christian Kracht. Set in the early 20th Century, his text retraces the footsteps of August Engelhardt, a disillusioned German, who left Germany for the South Pacific in order to form a "coconut cult". The award winning book has not been without controversy- can it be considered racist?
3) New Zealand and the South Pacific in Germany- reframed and reclaimed? From the Peoples Shows in the 19th Century to contemporary theatre and film, this section will look at how the Pacific has claimed their space in Germany. Excepts from "From Samoa with Love? Samoan Travellers in Germany 1895-1911: Retracing the Footsteps" as well as other texts and guest lectures will be used to consider the dynamics of the German and South Pacific connection.
Course outcomes:
A student who successfully completes this course will have the opportunity to:
- acquire knowledge of German speakers in the South Pacific from a historical perspective and apply it to contemporary migratory situations
- understand and carry out close readings and critical analyses of texts and contexts
- acquire skills in critical thinking, academic literacy, oral presentation, academic writing
Assessment Summary:
40% 2 written assignments @ 20% due Week 4 and Week 10 Friday at 16:59 (1000/1500); (750/1000)
20% oral presentation (750/1000 words)
40% 2250/ 2500 (391) word essay due date: October 24 at 23:59
Weekly Topics: TENTATIVE
Week 1 July 17/20: Introduction
Week 2 July 24/27: German Speakers in New Zealand
Week 3 July 31/August 3: German Speakers in the South Pacific: Frieda Zieschank (Sarah Heslin contributing)
Week 4 August 7/10: Christian Kracht: Imperium
Week 5 August 14/17: Guest Lecture: Professor Emeritus Jim Bade WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE
Week 6 August 22/24: Christian Kracht: Imperium
STUDY BREAK AUGUST 27- SEPTEMBER 8
Week 7 September 11/14: Imperium
Week 8 September 18/21: The South Pacific in German Speaking countries: Te Rua (1991, film)
Week 9 September 25/28: Introduction to the Archives/Special Collections (both days)
Week 10 October 2/5: The South Pacific in German Speaking Countries WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT TWO DUE
Week 11 October 9/12: In class presentations
Week 12 October 16/19: In class presentations, conclusion
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS:
Written Assignment 1: Pick one of the biographies in Eine Welt für sich and one from Im Schatten zweier Kriege. Situate each biography in the cultural-historical legacy of its time. Compare and contrast the two biographies- how did the German connection to New Zealand and the Pacific shift or change within one generation? How did it stay the same? What are some of the continuing legacies? (291 1000 words/391 1500 words)
Written Assignment 2: Christian Kracht's Imperium is considered controversial for a variety of reasons. Do you agree or disagree? Defend your answer using book reviews and academic sources (min 3). (291 750 words/391 1000)
OR
The idea of life writing takes on different genres than just (auto)biography. Take into consideration the third part of our course and create an annotated bibliography on Indigenous life writing, reflect how this intersects with our course. (291 min. 8 sources/391 12 sources)
Oral Presentation: 8-10 minutes; including question and answer period. Present your idea for your final essay. Start with a thesis statement and elaborate on the perspective you will take and secondary literature, power points are always welcome. Part of your mark will also come from questions asked of other presentations- so come prepared and ready to help each other out! (291 750 words/ 391 1000)
Final Essay: building upon your oral presentation, expand it into a final essay. APA citation and minimum 10 citations from different articles/chapters/texts!
Prescribed Texts:
Christian Kracht, Imperium, 2013
James Bade ed., Eine Welt für sich: Deutschsprachige Siedler und Reisende in Neuseeland im 19. Jahrhundert, (1998) $10 available in my office
James Bade ed., Im Schatten zweier Kriege: Deutsche und Österreicher in Neuseeland im 20. Jahrhundert, (2005) $10 available in my office.
excerpts from: From Samoa with Love? Samoa- Völkerschauen im Deutschen Kaiserreich - eine Spurensuche (2014)
Te Rua, 1991 film: available on the library website TV and Radio through Mäori Television
Recommended Texts:
See Talis for course readings
Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:
The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.
Course summary:
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