GERM 305(S) From the "Wende" 'til Today in Literature, Films, and Politics
This course will investigate recent trends and developments in Germany since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Even though they are now one political entity, East and West are divided by economy, lived experience and mentality. We will focus on recent memoirs and films that look back at growing up in the different cultures, or, in the works of Turkish-Germans, living with the contradictions of East and West. Women's issues, immigrant concerns and social reforms will be foregrounded. Films will include among others: Head-on, Im Juli, Good-bye, Lenin, Herr Lehmann, Das Leben ist eine Baustelle, Schultze gets the Blues. Conducted in German.
Authors will include: Julia Schoch, Jana Simon, André Kubiczek, Claudia Rusch, Daniel Wiechmann, Jana Hensel, Barbara Honigmann, Julia Franck, Yadé Kara, Sven Regener, Wladimir Kaminer and Jakob Hein.
Format: seminar. Requirements: active class participation, two oral presentations; two 3- to 5-page papers, one 10-page final paper.
Prerequisites: German 202 or equivalent. No maximum enrollment (expected: 7).
Hour: DRUXES