Culture of German Speaking Countries 2

Year
0
Academic year
2024-2025
Code
01019887
Subject Area
German Culture
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Introduction to the Study of Cultures of German-speaking Countries, Culture of Germa-speaking countries 1.

Teaching Methods

The diachronic approach that underlies this curricular unit will be divided in moments of greater lecturing character (for which both teacher and students will be responsible) and moments of collective analysis and debate of various texts and documents (graphics, photographs, films, etc.) related to the themes in question.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit aims both at at providing a view of the political and cultural history of Germany from the Weimar Republic to the beginning of the 21st century (always taking into account the wider context of the European culture of the time), and at enhancing the students' critical autonomy.

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

1) identify and comment on texts and other documents related to the unit’s main topics;

2) relate the various cultural contexts with one another, analyzing them critically and in a historical perspectivation;

3) analyze and present the discussed themes, showing intellectual autonomy, synthesizing capacity, argumentation skills and high proficiency in oral and written expression;

4) show that they have developed attitudes of intellectual curiosity and rigor, as well as critical and emancipated thought.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

This curricular unit focuses on the evolution of Germany from the Weimar Republic to the beginning of the 21st century. The program may vary from edition to edition, depending on the teacher in charge, but will be based on the following items:

1. The Weimar Republic (1919-1933).

2. Hitler and Nazi dictatorship (1933-1945).

3. The Second World War (1939-1945).

4. The division and reunification of Germany.

4.1. The immediate postwar period: the beginning of the Cold War and the formation of the two German states (1949).

4.2. The two Germanies until the construction of the Berlin Wall (1949-1961): the Federal Republic of Germany; the German Democratic Republic.

4.3. The FRG and the GDR after the construction of the Berlin Wall (1961-1989).

4.4. Inter-German relations: rewinding and unwinding tension in international context. The "Ostpolitik".

4.5. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification process (1989-1990).

5. Reunified Germany and contemporary international challenges.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria de Fátima Gil Rodrigues da Silva

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment
In-class participation : 20.0%
Mini Tests: 40.0%
Frequency: 40.0%

Final assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Beck, U. (2012). German Europe. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.

Beutin, W. et al. (1993-94). História da Literatura Alemã das Origens à Actualidade. Lisboa: Apáginastantas, Cosmos.

Brockmann, S. (2015). A Critical History of German Film. Rochester, NY: Camden House.

Burns, R. (ed.) (1995). German Cultural Studies. An Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Demandt, A. (2008). Über die Deutschen. Bonn: bpb.

Kitchen, M. (2006). A History of Modern Germany. 1800-2000. Malden (MA): Blackwell.

Müller, H. (2002). Schlaglichter der deutschen Geschichte. Bonn: bpb.

Raff, D. (1992). Deutsche Geschichte (6. Aufl.). München: Heyne.

Scheidl, L., Melo, I. A., Ribeiro, A. S. (1996). Dois Séculos de História Alemã. Política, Sociedade e Cultura (3.ª ed.). Coimbra: Minerva.

Wellbery, D.E. et al. (org.) (2004). A New History of German Literature. Cambridge: Harvard UP.