Courses and Syllabi

Deutschsein (neu) erzählen - Literarische und Mediale Interventionen

GERM 3234 (6th semester course)

Germany is a culturally, ethnically and racially diverse society: at this point in time, one in four Germans has a so-called “migration background.” In younger age groups the number is even higher: for those under 45, the term applies to one in three, and among children and young adults to 40% of the population (BiB 2019). This high level of diversity has been apparent for years, especially in the context of increasing migration, yet it seems to be only gradually accepted by the public. The predominant idea still is that whoever wants to be considered German must be white and Christian (-socialized).

In this course, students learn about the roots of white Germanness as a hegemonic narrative and how it influences and shapes German society until today. By offering students the position of interrogators, the class aims to enable students to uncloak Germanness as a social construct and to understand not only its historical roots but also how it is bound to questions of power. Ultimately, students are encouraged to also interrogate their own culture(s) and narratives of (national) identity and belonging.

Weekly modules include:

• “Was ist eigentlich deutsch?”

• “Nationale Identität als Narrativ”

• “Historische und rechtliche Grundlagen”

• “Deutschland als Einwanderungsland”

• “Deutsch sein und Schwarz sein”

• “Jüdisches Leben in Deutschland”

• “Deutschsein neu erzählen - Literarische Interventionen”

• “Deutschsein neu erzählen - Mediale Interventionen” & “Intersektionalität”

Outcomes from this course will be presented at the Kentucky Foreign Language Conference, April 21-23, 2022.

The syllabus and additional course materials will be shared soon.

Germany Today

GERM 1169 (university-wide General Education course)