The course will provide an overview of the principal governmental structures and political institutions of the Federal Republic of Germany. We will also consider the main issues of the day, such as Germany's relations with the United States, Russia, and China, its role as the major power of Central Europe, its place within the European Union, immigration and citizenship policies, pension and tax reform, cultural subsidies, the environment, and the special status of the former Communist areas. We will make extensive use of newspapers and other web-based resources. Conducted entirely in German. Format: seminar. Requirements: active class participation, three or four short papers totaling 15 pages. Prerequisites: German 201 or instructor's permission. No enrollment limit (expected: 10).