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Great Issues in Humanities
HSP 135 CRN 4172
Description of the course:
German films have always been closely connected to the cultural and social background from which they emerged. This is why so many German movies can be viewed as intriguing commentaries on society. German film directors in particular have often been more interested in making their own artistic and historical statements about Germany (and the world) than about either making money or becoming famous.
In this class students will view these movies as interesting cultural artifacts that can enlighten them about important trends and topics in German history and culture. Such an interdisciplinary perspective will necessitate viewing these movies as cultural products as well as cultural critiques or commentaries.
The course is designed for students with no background in either film or (German) history but who are either interested or curious in one of the other. Students will analyze important issues in German history and culture, by examining, discussing and writing about significant German movies of the past 80+ years.
The texts that will be at the center of this class, i.e. a number of older and newer German movies will all be significantly removed from students by virtue of both their cultural and historical distance. A number of movies to be shown will be from the 1920’s and 30’s and a number of the newer movies will address events from the previous century. By viewing and discussing movies that deal with issues and trends in German history students will be encouraged to make connections and comparisons to their own perspective. The class will also address the specific cultural and historical contexts behind each of the movies, and students will learn how historical events impact and influence the production of cultural artifacts.
Movies to be viewed will include:
„Der blaue Engel“ “Metropolis” Fritz Lang “M” Fritz Lang “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” Robert Wiene “Triumph of the Will” Leni Riefenstahl “The Bridge” “The Downfall” “The Marriage of Maria Braun” Rainer Werner Fassbinder “The Ninth Day” Volker Schlöndorff “Stalingrad” Joseph Vilsmaier “The Murderers are Among Us’ Wolfgang Staudte “The Kaisers Lackey” Wolfgang Staudte “The Nasty Girl” Michael Verhoeven “The Enigma of Kasper Hauser” “The Lives of Others” “Der Baader-Meinhof Komplex”
Students will also read reviews and articles pertaining to the movies as well as either A Concise History of Germany (Cambridge Concise Histories), Second Edition (Paperback) but Mary Fulbrook or Germany: A New History (Paperback) by Hagen Schulze (Author), Deborah Lucas Schneider (Translator).
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