Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

EU20042 German politics & society 2A: Geteiltes Deutschland 1961-1989

Credits: 3

Level: Intermediate

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX67CW33

Requisites:

Aims: The unit is designed to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in the first year German Politics and Society units. It covers historical, political and social developments in both Germanies from the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 to its fall in 1988. Its aims are:
* to study relations between the two German states from the Hallstein Doctrine through the Ostpolitik of the Brandt government to the collapse of the GDR and German unification;
* to analyse the main features of the political, economic and social system of each of the two German states;
* to examine why and how GDR socialism collapsed at the end of the 1980s;
* to raise awareness of the short as well as long term issues and consequences of unification for German society at the beginning of the 21st century;
* to build on the vocabulary and concepts previously acquired and to assist students in discussing and writing on the above issues in German at an advanced level.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete this unit successfully will be able to:
* demonstrate a sound understanding of the political, social and economic systems of the two German states in the period 1961-1989;
* explain the relationship between the two German states in this period as well as the role of Germany in the Cold War;
* demonstrate a sound understanding of the key factors which contributed to the collapse of GDR socialism;
* identify key political, social and economic issues Germany has been confronted with since unification in 1990;
* discuss the above issues in an informed manner in both spoken and written German.
Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, effective communication in the target language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit.
Content:
i) DDR: vom Mauerbau bis zur deutschen Einigung a) Aspekte der DDR-Identitat (Politische Kultur, Alltag und Stasi); b) BRD und DDR: ein kritischer Systemvergleich; c) Frauen und Soziale Sicherheit; d) Das Jahr der Wende; ii) BRD: vom Mauerbau bis zur deutschen Einigung a) Deutsch-deutsche Beziehungen; b) 1968 und die Folgen; iii) Vereintes Deutschland a) Die Mauer im Kopf. The unit is taught in German.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07