GERST 3011

Green Thought in German Culture

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2015-2016.

The German-speaking culture has long reflected a "green" tradition in the arts, in literature, and in scientific discoveries that have made Germany, Austria, and Switzerland leaders in the development of alternative environmental technologies. In this course we will discuss concepts of nature and the environment in a variety of genres: fairy tales, prose, poetry, landscape painting, contemporary graphic novels, and film. We will start with fairy tales and texts from the Romantic Period, and then continue with exploring the changing perspective on nature triggered by the onset of industrialization during the 19th Century, including the "back to nature" movements that responded to industrialization, such as the Wandervogel movement, the Utopian community at Monte Verità, and the popularization of naturopathy. Next we will discuss nature symbolism in Nazi ideology, and then move on to the significant environmental changes during the second half of the 20th Century, more recently termed "The Great Transformation." Here, topics will include the steep rise in environmental consciousness during the 70s and 80s, the success and tremendous political effect of Germany's Green Party, the nuclear catastrophes of Tschernobyl and Fukushima, and contemporary issues of food production and waste management. Assignments will include a diary, short response papers, a final paper, and an oral project presentation.

When Offered Fall.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: GERST 2020, GERST 2040 or GERST 2060 or equivalent or placement exam.

Distribution Category (CA-AS)
Course Attribute (CU-SBY)
Language Requirement Satisfies Option 1.
Satisfies Requirement This course may be counted towards the requirement for 3000-level language work in the major.

Comments Taught in German.

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