GRN2820

Research and Research Methodology in German Literature and Culture ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Undergraduate

(ARTS)

Leader: Dr Helmut Heinze

Offered:
Not offered in 2005.

Synopsis: This unit offers an introduction into research methods in the fields of German literature and related areas such as German culture and German media studies. It addresses theoretical and practical problems which beginners face when they enter into academic work. The subject particularly emphasizes hands on practice in dealing with these resources and techniques, and it offers the opportunity to develop the outlines of a research topic for further study. See full text at http://arts.monash.edu.au/german

Objectives: Upon successful completion of this subject students should have developed sufficient skills for conducting and presenting their own research in an academically sound manner. More specifically, by the end of the semester students: 1. Should be oriented in the main types of resources and tools for research in German literature, culture and media studies such as bibliographies, biographies, handbooks and data bases. 2. Should have gained a basic understanding of how resources are structured and how they can be accessed in libraries, archives or on-line. 3. Should be familiar with the application of style sheets in general for the presentation of findings or the documentation of resources and have acquired specific knowledge of the MLA formatting rules for the most significant source types. In addition to these technical skills, students should have gained: 4. A basic understanding of the nature of methodological approaches and how they structure the field. 5. A critical appreciation of literary and cultural research within German Studies, and its social and cultural function.

Assessment: Final test (1 hour): 25% + Bibliographical exercise (750 words): 15% + Outline of a research project (2500 - 3000 words): 60%

Contact Hours: 3 hours (1 x lecture and 2 x tutorials) per week

Prerequisites: GRN1225, GRN1325, GRN1425 or GRN1525

Corequisites: GRN2315, GRN2415, GRN2515 or GRN2615

Prohibitions: GRN3820