GERM 364 - Migration, Then and Now

Like few other countries, Germany exemplifies how the migrant is the political figure of our time (Thomas Nail), exploding our image of “national” culture and putting flight and movement, rather than citizens and the state, in the focus of cultural scholarship. In this course, we will explore the political reality and the cultural imaginary of diverse forms of migration to and from Germany since the 19th century. Topics include: African “Vertragsarbeiter” in the GDR; refugees and asylum in Germany today; Hannah Arendt’s critique of human rights; literature by migrant authors (Yoko Tawada, Zé do Rock, Tomer Gardi); German migration to the US in the 19th century; films by and about migrants (Fatih Akin, Christian Petzold); the “Willkommenskultur” in 2015 and its aftermath. Taught in German. Prerequisite(s):

GERM 308

or GERM 309; or completion of Macalester’s or another approved study abroad program; or permission of instructor. Alternate fall semesters. (4 Credits)