German Studies 315 - Topic: Cultural Diversity

Europe, and Germany, are poised at a crossroads to decide Europe's future. One group proclaims the 'death of multiculturalism' and the staunch belief in a 'Christian heritage' of the European Enlightenment, another calls for a vocal and violent rejection of all that is deemed 'Western' and 'immoral'. The paths they would choose, paradoxically, might turn out the same road to intolerance and destruction of the perceived 'other.' This course emphasizes, in word and film, the voices of immigrant and Islamic-heritage citizens; it focuses on such key issues as human rights vs. freedom of religion; constructions of cultural and national identities; and the (dis)integrative role of language.

Prereq: 8 credits from German Studies beyond GRMST-201