University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: To be arranged

Recent popular culture and the media in German-speaking Europe have been fascinated with masculinity, a trend that coincides with a boom in scholarship on the subject. Masculinity is at the centre of contradictions in contemporary culture, with debates over so-called 'toxic masculinity' existing alongside a broadening of the term to include queer and female masculinities. This module explores what masculinity means in German-speaking culture and how literature, film and TV contribute to constructing, perpetuating and challenging gender norms. Students engage with representations of masculinity in a range of texts, films, television and advertising. We will consider depictions of sports, club culture, workplace and youth cultures as portrayed on page and screen, in order to gain a broad and nuanced understanding of contemporary gender. Students will gain advanced skills in film and narrative analysis and will gain an introduction to prominent theories of gender and masculinity.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Permission of the German Honours Adviser

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact:

Scheduled learning hours: 33

Guided independent study hours: 121

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 50%, 24-hour Take-home Examination = 50%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 50%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 50%

Re-assessment: 3-hour written examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr T A Smith
Module teaching staff: Dr T Smith