Information may be Subject to Change

Time & Place

2026 Winter Term 1
Tuesdays & Thursdays
2:00pm to 3:30pm

Language & Prerequisites

This course is taught in English and there are no prerequisites.

Live Streaming and Lecture Recording

This lecture will be streamed live and recorded.

Degree Requirements

This course counts towards the Literature Requirement for UBC’s Bachelor of Arts degree (for students who enrolled before 2024W).

Course Description

This course is dedicated to the study of contemporary German films that reflect on current social issues and historical debates. In particular, we will consider the legacy of the German Democratic Republic (GDR, Eastern Germany), the ongoing efforts to represent a multicultural society, and the memory of World War II. Our discussions will focus on the challenges of representing minorities, cultural difference, gender hierarchies and memory cultures. Your skills in film analysis and your ability to articulate critical responses will be challenged and trained throughout the semester. This course is taught in English, and there are no prerequisites.

Films

Barbara. Dir. Christian Petzold (2012)
Combat Girls. Dir. David Wnendt (2011)
Das Fräulein. Dir. Andrea Štaka (2006)
Fack Ju Göhte. Dir. Bora Dagtekin (2013)
Generation War. Dir. Philipp Kadelbach (2013)
Good Bye Lenin! Dir. Wolfgang Becker (2003)
Head On. Dir. Fatih Akin (2004)
Lore. Dir. Cate Shortland (2012)
Phoenix. Dir. Christian Petzold (2014)
The Lives of Others. Dir. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (2006)
The Nasty Girl. Dir. Michael Verhoeven (1990)
When We Leave. Dir. Feo Aladag (2010)

Evaluation of Student Work

Two Midterm Exams (33% each)
Final Exam (34%)