German

GER 3055 Culture and Civilization of Modern Germany (through film)
Meets: M-F, 9:40 a.m.-12:40 p.m. with target language lunch 12:40-1:40 PM

This course offers an introduction to 20th-century German culture through the depictions (and interpretations) of aspects of social history in German film. Special attention is given to the artistic, historical, and cultural contexts from which they emerged. The first module will examine Germany’s cultural ruin and reemergence after WWII; the second module will examine the more turbulent anti-American, anti-capitalistic movements of the 70’s and 80’s, and the third module will examine aspects of East and West Germany, as well as Germany’s Wende. All three modules provide a snapshot of how Germans have dealt with their cultural identity in recent years. Instructed in German at the upper-division, undergraduate level.

More detailed information about films to be studied appears beneath each week’s title (list is provisional):

Modules (for continuing education)

Week 1 (July 12-16, 2010):
1940’s-60’s Germany’s Nazi Legacy, Vergangenheitsbewältigung and Immigration

Am Ende kommen Touristen (2007)
Das schreckliche Mädchen (1990)
Das Wunder von Bern (2003)
Solino (2002)
Kebab Connection (2005)

Week 2 (July 19-23, 2010):
1970’s and 80’s: Terrorism and Beyond

Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum (1975)
Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei (2004)

Week 3 (July 26-30, 2010):
1990-now East and West, Pre-and Post Unification

Das Versprechen (1994)
Berlin is Germany (2001)
Das Leben der Anderen (2006)

Instructor: Dr. Kevin Kennedy

NOTE! Participants of the Davidson Insitute in German can arrange alternative work for Week 3 when earning undergrad credit in German at Appalachian. Contact the Program Director, Dr. Beverly Moser, for more information on this option: moserba@appstate.edu.

This site last updated on March 18, 2010