GE339 Exploring Zeitgeist: Politics, Culture and Society in Germany Today

What is the German Zeitgeist, and who gets to define it? What does it mean to talk about German collective identity, and how has this idea been challenged and expanded through transformations in social, cultural, and political life? What symbols, traditions, values, and beliefs shape German self-understanding, and how do they shape the country’s response to domestic and international politics?

Through a combination of lectures, independent research, and guided study of diverse primary works, this module will provide students with the historical, political, and theoretical background required for an in-depth and detailed understanding of issues that dominate the public agenda in Germany today. Overarching themes include collective identity and symbols, citizenship, democracy, and identity politics.

Taught in and through German, the module aims to strengthen linguistic competence, as well as cultural and political literacy. Using a broad cultural studies framework, the module will introduce students to theoretical concepts and analytical tools that can be used to analyse a wide range of cultural materials and artefacts. In any given year, these may include a combination of films and literary texts; critical essays; political speeches, manifestos, and propaganda; social media and digital communication; practices of remembrance; other forms of tangible and intangible culture.

Outline syllabus

This module focuses on the contemporary moment and recent developments. As a result, specific topics may vary from year to year. Core themes typically include domestic politics and society (including the political landscape, political representation, citizenship, democracy); cultural memory and national identity; Germany on the global stage. Through these topics, students will develop a nuanced understanding of how Germany negotiates domestic challenges and positions itself internationally.

In any given week, students will be expected to watch, read, or engage with a primary source (with guided preparation questions) and/or at least one piece of critical literature.We also expect students to engage independently with current affairs, drawing on these to contextualise the primary resource, deepen class dicsussions, and contribute to class resources. Your ability to apply the teaching to broader issues will also be considered as part of the assessment.

Assessment Method:

• Pre-recorded video presentation (30%): 9-11 minutes long, in German
• 2000-2250 word essay, written in English or German (60%)
• class participation (10%) - ongoing
  • At the most basic level, the module is centred around verbal modes of engagement in small-group and whole-class discussion. You will be encouraged to participate actively by sharing your thoughts, asking questions, volunteering answers, and responding to other students’ contributions or questions. There will also be some asynchronous activities (e.g. contributing to a class Padlet) and opportunities for non-verbal engagement (e.g. polls, note-taking).

Talis Aspire reading list