IRE214 Culture, Society and Politics in the German-speaking Countries

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Maya Higgins, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 10:00–11:40 exP24
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/50, only registered: 0/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives (in Czech)
This interdisciplinary course provides students with an extensive introduction to the three largest German-speaking societies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. During the semester, we will review and discuss specific social, political, and cultural events occurring in the last century that highly affected the different German-speaking countries. Contemporary political developments will also be discussed and evaluated against the background of historical processes. Among the various topics included in the course are: European politics and world wars; the German split and reunification; social diversity and contemporary minority culture.
Learning outcomes
Students will become familiar with histories, politics and cultural diversity in the German-speaking countries. Students will gain insights into ideas, trends and discourses that have shaped the contemporary German, Austrian and Swiss societies. Gaining relevant knowledge would enable students to discuss similarities and differences as well as analyze current events in a larger spectrum (the future of the EU, rise of the political right, etc.).
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • Course plan Session 1, September 25th: General Introduction Course’s general framework: Structure, goals, requirements, etc. General introduction to the course’ topic, preliminary discussion. Questions for discussion: 1. Your experiences visiting/studying in and previous knowledge regarding the course’ topic; 2. What are the similarities/differences between the German-speaking countries? Are they more similar or distinct? Session 2, October 2nd: Introduction to Germany, German Federalism Facts and figures, German federalism, political parties, education system, economy, foreign relations, army, historical turning points, Germany and the EU. Session 3, October 9th: Marks, Hegel and Luther’s Reformation Marks, Hegel, Martin Luther's protest writing and reformation. Session 4, October 16th: Political History and Political Thought Between World Wars WWI, Weimar republic, WWII, Fascism, Nazism and the Holocaust. Session 5, October 23: German Unification and the Question of ‘National Identity’ Communism and democracy in divided Germany during the Cold War, German unification. Session 6, November 6th: German Minorities in Contemporary Times Turkish life in contemporary Germany, Afro-German cultural predicaments, The refugee crisis and its’ effect on the German society, contemporary extremism and Neo-Nazis. Session 7, November 13th: Introduction to Austria, Culture & Religion + Quiz I Introduction to Austria: facts and figures, political structure, education system, the Austrian economy, foreign relations, army, Austria and the EU, Culture, religion and historical turning points. Short quiz covering everything we learned about Germany. Session 8, November 20st: Austrian National Identity, Politics and Contemporary Minorities Austrian national identity migration and minorities. Session 9, November 27th: Introduction to Switzerland + Quiz II Facts and Figures, system of government and parties, education system, the Swiss economy, foreign relations, Army, Switzerland and the EU. Short quiz covering everything we learned about Austria. Session 10, December 4th: Direct Democracy, Federalism and Political Stability Swiss Politics: Political tradition, institutions and parties, why is Swiss politics so stable? Session 11, December 11th: Comparative Analysis Political competencies, structure and dispute resolutions- comparative analysis. Session 12, December 18th: Final Session Summary and concluding remarks, the final exam, feedback. Discussion: 1. Revisiting the questions presented in the first session. 2. Potential political developments in the near future.
Literature
    required literature
  • Gunlicks, A. (2003). The Länder and German Federalism. Manchester University Press. Fulbrook, M. (1992). The divided nation: a history of Germany, 1918-1990. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Thornhill, C. (2007). German Political Philosophy: The Metaphys
Teaching methods (in Czech)
Lectures and class discussions.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Grades will be based on two quizzes (40%), a final exam (60%). Students are expected to read the required literature for each lecture and to attend the lectures. Successful completion of the course requires the successful completion of both grade components.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2019/IRE214