TTeaching History, Fostering Emotions – Conveying History in German Cultural Studies in Thailand by Using the Medium Filmeaching History, Fostering Emotions – Conveying History in German Cultural Studies in Thailand by Using the Medium Film

Abstract

History constitutes a learning topic frequently included in the repertoire of German cultural studies, so-called Landeskunde, with the Thai Higher education sector making no exception whatsoever. This paper first shows that in German Studies programmes at Thai universities, when teaching history, mostly the Kognitiver Ansatz (Cognitive or Fact-based Approach), providing a chronological overview and aiming at the acquisition of declarative knowledge, is applied. I then show how history can be taught in a way more in line with current didactical findings, building upon the ABCD-Thesen. First, I argue in favour of the focus on singular events rather than a general walk-through. In this context, I present criteria to take into consideration for a justified choice of such events and come up with an example, the Holocaust, that matches these criteria. Second, I argue for the creation of learning arrangements that foster emotions rather than mediating merely facts and information. I present media suitable to achieve that goal, specifically elaborating on the potential of movies to allow a subjective-emotional approach to history. Lastly, a way these suggestions can be put into practice is presented. In my teaching example, the short film “Sie heißt jetzt Lotte” serves as a medium to teach about the Holocaust. I suggest activities for the pre-viewing, while-viewing and post-viewing phase.