Germany in Transit: Themes of Migration and Integration in Contemporary German Culture - German 230, sp-12

GERMANY IN TRANSIT:
Themes of Migration and Integration in Contemporary German Culture

This course explores themes of migration and integration in contemporary German writing, film and music. We will study works by Turkish-German, Afro-German, and Jewish-German authors, directors and artists and examine how the diverse voices of contemporary German culture contribute to and challenge conceptions of German national or cultural identity in the late 20th and early 21st century. In addition, we will examine political and social contexts (for example the controversial concept of a German Leitkultur or Guiding Culture, immigration law reform, the headscarf debate, the concept of Vergangenheitsbewältigung or “mastering” Germany’s past).

Taught by:  Prof. Katja Altpeter-Jones

M 3-4:30 pm, TH 3:30 - 5 pm

No knowledge of German required.