Course Schedule and Catalog

Department: German Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Description: INTELLECTUALS, ARTISTS, AND THE GERMAN/AUSTRIAN STATE (SPECIAL TOPICS SEMINAR) ***** Starting with an analysis of the role of the public intellectual in the U.S. of today, this course will focus on the multiple relationships 20th century writers, filmmakers, and painters/sculptors have displayed towards the German/ Austrian state in which they have lived and worked. Questions we will ask: Do artists/intellectuals carry public responsibility? Are artists/intellectuals supposed to act as a "public conscience?" Have artists/intellectuals been able to influence political decisions? Is art always poltical? How do states/political systems utilize art and its creators? How does censorship work? Fiction/non-fiction (political speeches, philosophical reflections, etc.); documentaries and feature films; representations (CD-ROMS, etc.) of paintings and sculptures. Language proficiency minimally at intermediate-high. Materials, discussion, and assignments in German. ***** PREREQUISITE: Minimum proficiency of intermediate- high (speaking and writing); successful completion of German 303 (or equivalent). *****