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HU Credits:
1
Degree/Cycle:
2nd degree (Master)
Responsible Department:
Cont. German Studies:politics, Soc.&Cult
Semester:
2nd Semester
Teaching Languages:
English
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Dr. Christian Thauer
Coordinator Office Hours:
4pm every class day
Teaching Staff:
Dr. christian thauer
Course/Module description:
The course gives students an overview of current political and socio-economic developments in Germany. We discuss Germany's renewed 'economic miracle' in the past 10 years, the country's refugee 'crisis', the recent and current elections and its effects on the party system, and the return of right-wing political movements.
Course/Module aims:
The aims are
1.) a good understanding of the political and socio-economic situation and developments in Germany;
2.) engaging with and discussing complex academic texts and arguments.
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1.) Good overview of empirical developments in contemporary Germany;
2.) relating these findings to complex and abstract theoretical arguments about German Political Economy, its party system and in Comparative Politics.
Attendance requirements(%):
80
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Text-based discussions; lecturing; documentaries; engaging with material from diverse media sources.
Course/Module Content:
1.
Sun, 6/16, 16.30-18h:Introduction to the course, explanation of expectations and requirements, images of and the reality in Germany.
2. Tue, 6/18, 16.30-18h: Image of Germany abroad and reality at 'home'; documentary: "make me a German"(BBC)
3. Thu, 6/20, 16.30-18h: Discussion of the current socio-economic situation in Germany.
4. Tue, 6/25, 16.30-20h: a.) The recent elections and their impact non the party system; b.) the so-called 'refugee crisis' and its impact on German politics and society
5. Thu, 6/27, 16.30-20h: Continuation of topics a.) and b.) of last week. Additional current development chosen by students; final discussion.
Required Reading:
• Eichhorst, W. (2015). The unexpected appearance of a new German model. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 53(1), 49-69.
• Busch, Andreas (2009). Schröder's Agenda 2010: From 'Plan B' to lasting Legacy?, In: Miskimmon, Paterson, Sloam, "Germany's Gathering Crisis", pp. 64-80.
• Wiesenthal, Helmuth (2003). German Unifiction and ‘Model Germany’: An Adventure in Institutional Conservatism. West European Politics, 26: 4, 37-58.
• Hassel, Anke (2011). The paradox of liberalization. Understanding dualism and the recovery of the German political economy. LSE ‘Europe in Question’ Discussion Paper Series 42/2011.
• A. Reisenbichler, A.J. Morgan (2013). How Germany Won the Euro Crisis. And Why Its Gains Could Be Fleeting. Foreign Affairs (June): http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139520/alexander-reisenbichler-and-kimberly-j-morgan/how-germany-won-the-euro-crisis (20 December 2013)
Additional Reading Material:
• W. Streeck (2009). Re-Forming Capitalism: Institutional Change in the German Political Economy. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.
• H.M. Smith (ed.) (2011): The Oxford Handbook of Modern German History. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Course/Module evaluation:
End of year written/oral examination 0 %
Presentation 0 %
Participation in Tutorials 50 %
Project work 50 %
Assignments 0 %
Reports 0 %
Research project 0 %
Quizzes 0 %
Other 0 %
other
Additional information:
To gain credits, students can choose to enroll as 'active participants' or to write 3 out of 4 2-page response papers.
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