Lehrende/r: Dr. Martin Rißmann
Veranstaltungsart: Übung
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Unterrichtssprache: Englisch
Min. | Max. Teilnehmerzahl: - | 30
Anwesenheitspflicht: Participants - All incoming students from all academic fields are welcome - History students from abroad are also invited to join the team - No specific requirements, just interest in the overall topic and historical work - Ability to read scientific texts in English Engagement - Regular attendance - Preparation reading and active participation in seminar discussions - Two homeworks in writing (upload in Moodle prior to the session) - One classroom presentation to kick-off seminar discussion This is a special course bringing together students who do not study history to get to know Germany better from a historical perspective. It is not a lecture. In fact, good discussions and results will largely depend on active participation and sharing of different views. Preparing the sessions properly and getting a good grasp of the reading materials will be key.
Inhalt: During the first half of the 20th century Germany went through various political disruptions and transitions: The powerful Empire in the center of Europe saw an abrupt end with the defeat in First World War. The democratic system of the Weimar Republic fell prey to political unrest and economic chaos which paved the way for the totalitarian Nazi State in 1933. Twelve years later, the future of a German state was totally depended on the decisions of the allied powers. The hybris of nationalism, the devastation by war as well as the fragility of economic welfare as well as democratic system have a lasting mark on the collective memory of the German people. The seminar is open to incoming students from all academic disciplines and levels. Together we will look at major phases of German history in the period of 1900 to 1950: Why did the German Empire fail to establish a stable position among the nations in Europe? What were the reasons for the collapse of the Weimar Republic? How did the Nazis establish their regime of terror? What were the main reasons for Germany to split into two antagonistic states? In addition to major political developments, we will also look at underlying social and cultural changes and how the lives of German people changed during this period.
Empfohlene Literatur: The course is based on selected sections of the following books: - Mary Fulbrook, A History of Germany 1918–2014: The Divided Nation, Fifth Edition. Chichester 2021. - Helmut Walser Smith (ed.): Oxford Handbook of Modern German History, Oxford et al. 2011. - Helmut Walser Smith: Germany. A Nation in its Time. Before, during, and after Nationalism, 1500-2000, New York 2020.
Zusätzliche Informationen: It is planned to have one excursion: Heidelberg (visit of the Friederich-Ebert-Gedenkstätte) Grading Credit points 5 ECTS active participation in class + class assignment + exam (see below) 2 ECTS active participation in class + class assignment, no exam The number of ECTS can be adjusted individually depending on the requirements of the home university. Exam - Option 1: Written exam (60 minutes) - Option 2: Oral exam (15 minutes) - Option 3: Term paper (6 – 8 pages)
