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HU Credits:
2
Degree/Cycle:
2nd degree (Master)
Responsible Department:
cont. german studies:politics, soc.&cult
Semester:
1st Semester
Teaching Languages:
English
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Dr. Stephan Grigat
Coordinator Office Hours:
by prior arrangement
Teaching Staff:
Dr. Stephan Grigat
Course/Module description:
A radical critique of Germany has been flitting through federal political discussions for at least 25 years. The story of the so called ‚anti-Germans’ begins in the late 1980s when members of the radical Left in Germany remembered Jean Améry, who since the Six-Day War in 1967 had continually stressed that the Left had to redefine itself in its fight against anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. Since then, an independent stream of sociocritical thinking has developed that offered a particular critique of the nation-state, Germany and its international allies, of Islamism and anti-Zionism, and a unique understanding of nationalism in general and Zionism in particular. Against that background central aspects of the radical critique of Germany and its consequences will be analysed.
Course/Module aims:
A general, short and pithy statement which informs a student about the subject matter, approach, breadth, and applicability of the course. A detailed list of subjects is not required in this section (2-4 sentences).
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• orient themselves within the discussions on nation and nationalism in the German speaking context
• compare traditional and new approaches to the critique of antisemitism and racism in Germany and Europe
• evaluate political statements on Israel, Zionism and the USA in German society
• gain insight into the debate on Islam and Islamism in Germany
Attendance requirements(%):
80%
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Text discussions, presentations, group work, lectures
Course/Module Content:
Introduction
Types of nationalism and categorical imperatives
Laying the ground for today’s critique: The Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School
History of the radical critique of Germany and of nationalism
‘Philozionism’ against nationalism? Anti-German & pro-Israel-positions
Anti-Americanism in Europe & Germany
What is new in the ‘new nationalism’: Racism, antisemitism, ‘Islamophobia’ and ‘post-nationalism”
Nationalistic government, fascist opposition: the example of Hungary
Cultural relativism: European identity, anti-Zionism & Islamism
Delegitimizing Israel and supporting the Ayatollahs in ‘post-nationalism’ and post-Nazism
Today’s consequences of the critique of Germany & nationalism: From critique to Realpolitik?
Current developments in Europe and Germany
Required Reading:
A detailed reading list and all texts will be provided on Moodle.
Additional Reading Material:
Recommended reading.
Course/Module evaluation:
End of year written/oral examination 20 %
Presentation 60 %
Participation in Tutorials 0 %
Project work 0 %
Assignments 20 %
Reports 0 %
Research project 0 %
Quizzes 0 %
Other 0 %
Additional information:
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