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851-0886-00L 2 Credits DS D-GESS
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New Zealand Through Literature and Film (C1-C2)

No enrolment to this course at ETH Zurich. Book the corresponding course directly at "Language Center of UZH and ETH Zürich". Course fees: Registration dates:
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:53:26

Abstract

This course is designed for non-native English speakers at Bachelor’s and Master’s level from all disciplines who wish to gain an insight into New Zealand culture, history, and society through its rich tradition in film and literature, while improving their English language skills further towards C2.

Objective

In this course, students are introduced to New Zealand through its rich tradition of literature and film. The course addresses issues that have arisen in this former colony from its earliest settlement to the present day. Key questions include: What did New Zealand mean to its early settlers? Where did they come from? What is the Treaty of Waitangi, and what is its status today? How culturally diverse is New Zealand, and what is bi-culturalism in New Zealand? How did early European settlers view New Zealand, and what does it mean to be a New Zealander today? Students will analyse and discuss poetry, prose, and film. They will become aware of various ways of "reading" texts and film, and will improve their skills in planning and writing cohesive essays in which they marshal their arguments in a convincing and formal manner. Overall, the aims are that students become more discerning readers, improve their skills in expressing their views in written and spoken form clearly and concisely, and gain an understanding of the importance of literature and film to the development of New Zealand’s unique present-day identity.

Resources

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Anmeldemodalitäten, Datum und Ort dieser Leistungskontrolle wird ausschliesslich vom Sprachenzentrum UZH/ETH festgelegt.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise New Zealand Through Literature and Film (C1-C2) (Sprachenzentrum)
**Kurs vom Sprachenzentrum der UZH und der ETH Zürich**
No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In

  • GESS Science in Perspective (Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "GESS Science in Perspective" courses. Further below you will find courses under the category "Type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. During the Bachelor’s degree Students should acquire at least 6 ECTS and during the Master’s degree 2 ECTS. Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
    • Language Courses of the UZH and ETH Zurich (A maximum of three credits from language courses may be recognised. In addition, only advanced courses (level B2 upwards) in the European languages English, French, Italian and Spanish are recognised. German language courses are recognised from level C2 upwards. Course fees: Registration dates: )