Course title: German History and Culture - Deutsche Landeskunde
ECTS-credits: 4
Location: Downtown Campus (Stadtmitte)

German History and Culture - Deutsche Landeskunde
Form of instruction: Seminar
Language of instruction: German or English
Hours per week (SWS): 4
Form of Assessment: written examinations, presentation
Duration of Examination: 75
Prerequisites: -

Content and main topics
Content: Studying in a foreign country is a change and a challenge at the same time. This course will offer knowledge and understanding of German history, politics, society, and mentality. It will help you to get a broader approach to Germany and its culture, and to profit more from your stay.

Main topics are

• an introduction to the country’s geography and main regions
• a detailed overview of German History from Early Medieval times to the 20th century, including the impacts on the adjoining countries.
• Germany and its Nazi-period crimes as a European catastrophe
• development of post-war Germany into a respected member of the European Community
• history of industrialisation and the economic changes in recent decades
• an explanation of the political and social system of the contemporary “Bundesrepublik Deutschland”
• the presentation of various aspects of modern German life, for example religion, immigration,
• the discussion of values, the relationship between men and women.

A script, including the main facts, figures, and theses of these topics will be delivered.

The course also includes various excursions to places of historic interest, leading economic institutions (i.e. German Stock Exchange, Rhein-Main Airport) or places which represent aspects of contemporary German culture (i.e. Frankfurt a. M., Stuttgart, Lake Constance)