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GERM-510 Theorizing Culture
Spring only
This version of “Theorizing Culture” will focus primarily on a concrete example of how concepts of division and unity are culturally mediated in post-war Germany, or, to put it the other way around, how the political notions of division and unity are infusing cultural productions. The course will take a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the complex and often contradictory forces which shaped the post-war Germanies. These issues will be embedded in a broad historical context highlighting the importance of the "question of unity" throughout German history.
We will read a selection of literary works by prominent authors from both East and West Germany, closely examining how they treat and configure the historical, political, and social developments in their respective countries. In addition, we will examine philosophical, historical, and political essays, films, historical documents, and popular music.
The course is structured primarily as a seminar. We will utilize an a-symmetrical knowledge approach (i.e., that some students will have covered material that others have not) at various times for presentations and discussions. Occasional lectures will present additional information on particularism and unity in the German context.
Required Texts/ Materials:
Wolfgang Borchert, Draußen vor der Tür (The Man Outside)
Ulrich Plentzdorf, Die neuen Leiden des jungen W. (The New Sufferigns of Young W.)
Sarah Kirsch, Die Pantherfrau (The Panther Woman) OR Monika Maron, Flugasche (Flight of Ashes)
Heinrich Böll, Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum (The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum)
Christoph Hein, Drachenblut/Der fremde Freund (The Distant Lover)
Peter Schneider, Der Mauerspringer (The Wall Jumper)
(I encourage students to order the English versions on-line as some of these are out of print – but plenty of copies are available second hand through Amazon.com. German versions of the books, as well as the English versions in print, will be available through the book store.)
Background: Henry Ashby Turner, Germany from Partition to Reunification (Yale University Press, 1992).
Films by Adolf Winkelmann (“Die Abfahrer”), Gerhard Klein („Berlin, Schönhauser Corner“), and Rainer Werner Fassbinder („BRD Trilogy“).
Reader with political documents, essays, poetry, party platforms etc.
Selection of popular music from Germany.
Students' work will be evaluated on the basis of:
(1) overall participation in class discussions, (2) in-class presentations, and (3) final essay
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Course syllabi
The following syllabi may help you learn more about this course (login required):
Spring '10:
Sieg K
(description)
Additional syllabi may be available in prior academic years.
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Other academic years
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