Module Identifier GE25020  
Module Title THE CULTURE OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Dr Gregory M Moore  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Course delivery Lecture    
  Seminars / Tutorials    
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  60%
Semester Assessment Continuous Assessment 2 essays of 1500 words40%
Supplementary Exam 1 x 2-hour examination if continuous assessment submitted. 1 x 3-hour examination if no continuous assessment submitted.100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able:
1. to demonstrate knowledge of the major debates in German society and culture during the Weimar Republic, and show understanding of their underlying causes.
2. to analyse carefully and evaluate texts, films and other documents of the period within the framework of their historical context.
3. to be able to carry out independent research
4. to express themselves clearly, coherently and in a logical fashion, both orally and in writing.

Brief description

This module will introduce level 2 students to representative texts and ideas from a key period in German history, and thus deepen their understanding of modern German culture, ideas and literature. They will explore: the radicalisation of politics and the deep divisions between Left and Right in the Weimar Republic, and their impact on culture; the relationship between literature and film; socialist and workers' culture; the fascist response to the First World War; the theme of madness as a metaphor for the profound social alienation felt by many in the Weimar Republic.

Module Skills

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Herf, Jeffrey (1984) Reactionary Modernism: Technology, Culture and Politics in Weimar and the Third Reich Cambridge:CUP
Kuhn, Thomas and Giles Steve (eds) (2003) Brecht on Art and Politics London:Methuen
Laquer, Walter (1976) Weimar: A Cultural History, 1918-1933 London
Midgley, David (2000) Writing Weimar: Critical Realism in German Literature Oxford;OUP
Minden Michael & Bachmann Holger (eds) (2000) Fritz Lang's Metropolis: Cinematic Visions of Technology and Fear Rochester, NY: Camden House
Schrader, Barbel (1988) The Golden Twenties: Art and Literature in the Weimar republic New Haven, CT:Yale University Press
Willett, John (1978) The New Sobriety, 1917-1933: Art and Politics in the Weimar Period London: Thames and Hudson
Bonsen, David (1999) Life of Joseph Roth London: Chatto and Windus
Eisner, Lotte H. (1986) Fritz Lang New York: Da Capo
Bronsen, David Life of Joseph Roth Chatto 701138432
Stuckel, Eva-Maria Interpretationen zu Hermann Hesses Gladbeck : KFVR, Kulturfrderverein Ruhrgebiet 3931300056
Roth, Joseph Hotel savoy Munich: DTV 3423130601
Esselborn-Krumbiegel Hermann Hesse, Der Steppenwolf Mnchen : Oldenbourg 3486886223
Meyer, Martin Ernst Junger Hanser 3446159045
Mohler, Armin Die Konservative Revolution in Deutschland 1918-1932 Stocker 3702008632
Voit, Friedrich Der Steppenwolf Reclam 3150081939
Hesse, Hermann Der Steppenwolf Suhrkamp 3518188217
Guttsmann, W.L. (1990) Worker's Culture in Weimar Germany: Between the Tradition and the Government New York
Michels, Volker Materialien zu Hermann Hesses Frankfurt am Main : Suhrkamp Taschenbuch Verlag 3518365533
Bullivant, Keith (ed.) (1977) Culture and Society in the Weimar Republic Manchester: MUP
Bance A.F. (ed.) (1982) Weimar Germany: Writers and Politics Edinburgh:Scottish Academic Press
Minden Michael & Bachmann Holger (eds) (1990) Film and the German Left in the Weimar Republic:From Caligari to Kuhle Wampe Austin, TX: University of Texas Press
Nevin, Thomas R. (1997) Ernst Junger and Germany: Into the Abyss, 1914-1945 London: Constable
** Should Be Purchased
Roth, Joseph (2003) Hotel Savoy Munich: DTV
Frankfurt am Main:Suhrkamp (1975) Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny Munich: DTV
Hesse, Herman (1999) Der Steppenwolf Suhrkamp:Frankfurt am Main

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5