德國是什麼樣子？精準的設計及極致的工作倫理、浪漫的夢想及威權式傾向。當我們想到德國及其文化傳承，這些全在腦海中蹦出來了。但是今天，更甚以往，所謂「德國問題」必須定位在一個更廣的社會範疇裡，因為一如德國對歐洲其他各國無論是文化或政治都擁有極大影響力，德國鄰近的社會也在德國文學及藝術上發揮日漸強而有力的影響。

本課程的焦點在於現代德國文學及視覺文化的主要潮流，以尼采的思想為出發點，學生將能同時綜觀在德國及其他歐洲國家傳統與現代的辯證，特別是在英國、法國、丹麥及波蘭。重要作品取自文學、電影、藝術及表演，包括Peter Sloterdijk、Thomas Vinterberg, 及Michel Houellebecq的作品。主題包括：

• 主流文化及權力意志。
• 作家的〈消逝〉。
• 文學對於綠色運動及生物工程的反應。
• 總體藝術作品。（編按：由華格納於歌劇中提倡故事情節，音樂，舞台場景融合在一起的總體藝術作品）
• 信條、教條及傳統的瓦解。
• 在德國及外界對統一的文化賭注。

〈德國及其歐洲脈絡〉課程重在追求提升閱讀及寫作方面的表現。經過本學期的課程，學生需在批判性分析及表達上展現進步。

目的

本課程將介紹社會思想的主流，並讓你實際參與一些具文化重要性的議題的討論。關於提出的議題，你將需要以口頭及書面方式建構自己的論點。

課程要求

1. 本課程的課堂參與是必要的。每一堂課學生應該有備而來，以對課程做具價值性的貢獻。指定的閱讀作業必須要在每堂課上課前完成。每份指定作業都附有引導閱讀的問題。無法出席上課的學生，無論是親自前來請假或是以電話方式聯絡，務必事先知會講師。超過四次沒有請假理由的學生將從本課程開除。
   
   大致上學生應對閱讀作業所附之問題提交回應短文（每篇200-250字），雖然這些短文不計分，但這樣的個人準備將提高課堂討論的品質。進一步而言，定期寫作練習對學生在本課程或其他課程寫更長篇報告的都有助益。學生可以從分佈於本學期課程的13個問題挑選出10個想回應的，並可用連續標記的每一篇文章方式（也就是1/10, 2/10… ）來計算進度。寫作作業不可延期繳交。
   
   課堂討論間應對其他同學保持尊重與禮貌。
   
   評分：參與課程討論並且提交10篇回應短文—25%。
   
   
2. 本課程的重要目標之一是發展及淬煉批判性的分析及論辯。為此目的，學生需寫3篇篇幅漸增的小論文。學生需在指定的報告繳交期限的兩星期前提交計畫之論文的簡要大綱。完成的論文中若曾引用文獻，必定要註明出處。論文格式需符合MLA標準。
   
   小論文必須在指定繳交日期的中午前提交，未獲授課講師允許而遲交論文者成績將降級一個字母以為處罰。延遲一個星期提交成績將降級兩個字母作為處罰。論文記得備存一份紙本。
   
   評分：第一篇小論文—佔20%。第二篇小論文—佔20%，第三篇小論文—佔25%。
   
   
3. 除了寫作作業之外，學生亦須進行一場口頭報告。學生應就當日指定閱讀準備並提出一份一頁的報告摘要。在這20分鐘的口頭報告中，學生需提供該作者主要觀點的摘要，描述當初寫出此文的歷史的脈絡，並創造一些問題提供討論。
   
   口頭報告將以下列標準評分：深度、清晰度，還有重要的，就是報告者能引起同學們思考性參與的程度。
   
   評分：一次口頭報告—10%。

學生必須完成所有課程要求，以達本課程的及格標準。.

What is German? Precision design and a profound work ethic. Romantic reverie and authoritarian tendencies. All these spring to mind when we consider Germany and its heritage. But today, more than ever, "the German question" must be located within a broader social field. For just as Germany enjoys great influence over the rest of Europe — both culturally and politically — neighboring societies exert their own forces over German literature and art with ever-greater intensity.

This course focuses on main currents in contemporary German literary and visual culture. Taking Nietzsche's thought as a point of departure, students will survey the dialectics of tradition and modernity in both Germany and other European countries, particularly the UK, France, Denmark, and Poland. Primary works are drawn from literature, cinema, art, and performance, including works by Peter Sloterdijk, Thomas Vinterberg, and Michel Houellebecq. Topics to be discussed are:

• Leitkultur and the will to power
• The "death" of the author
• Literary responses to the green movement and bioengineering
• The Gesamtkunstwerk
• Doctrine, dogma, and the breakdown of tradition
• The cultural wagers of unification within Germany and beyond

"Germany and Its European Context" places a premium on excellence in reading and writing. Over the course of the term students are expected to demonstrate progress in critical analysis and expression.

Purpose

The course will introduce main currents of social thought and will expose you to a range of issues of cultural significance. You will be expected to construct arguments of your own, both in speech and writing, about the issues raised.

Requirements

1. Class participation is essential to this course. In order to make a valuable contribution students should come prepared to each class. Assigned readings must be completed before each class meeting. A guiding question shall accompany each assignment. Students who are unable to attend a class must inform the instructor in advance, either in person or by telephone. Students with more than four unexcused absences shall be dropped from the class.
   
   On most days students shall submit brief written responses (200-250 words each) to the question on the reading assignment. Although these responses will not be graded, such individual preparation will enhance class discussions. Further, regular writing practice will prepare students for longer papers, both in this course and beyond. Of the 13 questions distributed over the course of the semester students may select 10 to which they would like to respond. Students shall account for their progress with this series by consecutively marking each text (i.e. 1/10, 2/10… ). No extensions shall be granted for these writing assignments.
   
   Courtesy toward others in discussions is expected.
   
   Grading: Participation in class discussion and submission of ten brief written responses — 25%.
   
   
2. One of the primary goals of this course is the development and refinement of critical analysis and argument. To this end students will write three essays of increasing length. About two weeks before a given due date students must submit a brief outline of the essay they plan to write. In finished essays any and all references must be cited. Essays must conform to MLA standards.
   
   Essays are due at noon on the dates indicated. Essays submitted late without prior permission from the instructor will be penalized by one full letter grade. Essays submitted more than one week will be penalized by two full letter grades. Always keep a printed copy of your essay.
   
   Grading: First essay — 20%, second essay — 20%, third essay — 25%.
   
   
3. In addition to the writing assignments, students will also be expected to deliver an oral presentation. Students shall prepare and present a one-page handout on the day's reading. In these twenty-minute presentations students should provide a summary of the author's main points, describe the historical context in which the text was produced, and open up a few questions for discussion.
   
   Presentations will be evaluated according to the following criteria: insight, clarity, and, importantly, the degree to which presenters are able to stimulate the thoughtful participation of their classmates.
   
   Grading: One oral presentation — 10%.

To receive a passing grade for this course, students must meet all course requirements.