GERM 326

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GERM 326 or GERM 326E, also known as National Socialism and the Resisters: Myth and the Rational, or previously and in the catalogue as 1920's Berlin: Fear and Fantasies is an advanced German studies course offered at Knox. It counts for 1 credit. The course was most recently taught by Andrea Reimann.

Course Description[edit]

Official Course Description[edit]

Official description in the course catalogue: "Introduction to the society, culture, and politics of the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) with particular focus on Berlin. We investigate the literature, visual culture (including film), and political and philosophical writing of that period to acquaint ourselves with major themes of modernity that are still virulent today. The course content may include, but is not limited to, the political, social, and psychological impact of WWI; new technologies (radio, film); mass society and the city; the "New Woman"; the gay liberation movement; theatre, film, and cabaret; the rise of fascism."[1]

Revised description from Professor Reimann, describing the revised subject matter of the course as taught: "We will investigate the rise of National Socialism and the resistance movements in film and various text types. The time period we investigate spans from the mid 1920s to the late 1930s/the beginning of the Second World War. The main focus will be on National Socialism’s promotion of a mythical, irrational world view– the ‘blood and soil’ ideology – and on various kinds of counter movements who aimed to fight National Socialist ideology with a more rational world view."

Credits and Prerequisites[edit]

The course is worth one credit. This course does not satisfy any Foundation Requirements or Competency Requirements. The prerequisite for GERM 326, the German-language version of the course, is GERM 202 or equivalent or permission of the instructor. The prerequisite for GERM 326E, the English-language version, is sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.

Texts[edit]

  • Mosse, George L. (2003). "Nazi Culture." ISBN 978-0299193041.
  • Fallada, Hans. (1992). "Little Man, What Now?" ISBN 978-0897330862.

Course Format[edit]

While the course was originally meant to focus on Berlin and the 1920s, it was changed shortly before beginning into a course on the Third Reich, investigating myths, heroes, symbols, and the culture of the Nazi era. This course focuses heavily on discussion, groupwork, and presentations, based on a number of reserve texts. A few film viewings are included outside of class time. Due to the small size of the course and the impracticality of breaking it into sections, it is taught entirely in English.

Course Schedule[edit]

Due to the small size of the German department, the course is offered erratically, at the discretion of the German professor. It has only been offered once in the past four years, and it is unclear whether it will be offered again, as that professor, Andrea Reimann, no longer works at Knox.

2006-2007[edit]

Term Section Days Period Location Instructor
Spring 2007 1 TT 3s OM 311 Andrea Reimann

Reviews[edit]

References[edit]