German Culture Ii

Continuing where the first-year course left off, this course consists in a structured, diachronic presentation of the main cultural features of German-speaking territories between the 19th and 20th century. This is a crucial moment in the process that led to the birth of a modern State and to Germany's position in the global geopolitical arena. The focus will be on turning points in the history of Germany and Austria (the two World Wars, the Nazi dictatorship, the Holocaust), which contributed to subverting the cultural and social structure of both countries. Examining various forms of cultural production, students will be encouraged to develop an advanced understanding of the connections between historical facts and their representation in different areas of public discourse.

By the end of the course, students should be able to navigate the diachronic sequence of historical, social and economic changes that occurred in German-speaking countries. This should be complemented by the ability to make references to some macro-characteristics of the history and culture of European countries during the same period. Students are also expected to strengthen some of their skills acquired during the first-year course, with particular regard to the analysis of different text types (both fictional and non-fictional) and the use of critical thinking tools.