Last modified: 18 Aug 2025 09:46
Top CEOs have cited creativity as crucial to successfully navigating today’s complex, technology-driven world. But what does it mean to be creative? This course explores concepts of creativity through German literature and culture, attending to ideas and innovations that have radically shaped modern European history. Ranging from the Enlightenment to the present day, the course develops students’ skills in cultural analysis and understanding of creativity.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course explores creative works, ideas and innovations that have shaped and transformed German culture and society across the past 200+ years. Students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of German culture, develop their critical and analytical skills, as well as reflect on and utilise their own creativity. Readings will allow for critical reflection on the nature of creativity and changing views of creativity, as well as allowing close study of significant creative works in German culture. Flexibility and scope for co-creation is built into the course design, with opportunities for students to pursue research into case studies of their own choosing, while also being able to draw on the examples introduced throughout the course. Case studies are likely to encompass significant works of literary creativity, musical and artistic work, technological inventions, scientific advancement, linguistic creativity, and questions around AI and creativity. The course involves reading German language texts, and allows German Studies students to further their language skills as well as expand their cultural understanding and skills in critical analysis.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 70 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Students can choose to complete a written assignment (2,500 words), or a 1,500-word academic commentary alongside any of the following formats: Media article (1,000 words), zine (6-10 pages), video (6-8 minutes), or podcast (10-12 minutes) |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Students will gain knowledge and understanding of key aspects of German culture, society, history and literature, alongside skills in researching and synthesising material. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Students will use critical skills to analyse texts and construct arguments for presentation in oral or written form |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will apply their skills and knowledge to respond to and evaluate oral and written ideas and arguments, including reflecting on their own perspectives. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Duration: 10-15 mins Written feedback in the form of tutors' comments is given. Additional informal feedback on performance is offered in class. Tutors have office hours at which further feedback may be sought. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Students will gain knowledge and understanding of key aspects of German culture, society, history and literature, alongside skills in researching and synthesising material. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Students will use critical skills to analyse texts and construct arguments for presentation in oral or written form |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will apply their skills and knowledge to respond to and evaluate oral and written ideas and arguments, including reflecting on their own perspectives. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 40 | Feedback Weeks | 43 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback in the form of tutors' comments is given. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Analyse | Students will use critical skills to analyse texts and construct arguments for presentation in oral or written form |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will apply their skills and knowledge to respond to and evaluate oral and written ideas and arguments, including reflecting on their own perspectives. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Students will gain knowledge and understanding of key aspects of German culture, society, history and literature, alongside skills in researching and synthesising material. |
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