Univ of Dallas HISTORY 3316-002: Weimar: The Golden Twenties Fall 2010 Paul Rutschmann Office: History Office T, TH 2:00pm-3:20pm Office Hours: T, TH 12:30-2:00pm or by appointment Tel.: 972-721-5390 Classroom: Science Building 007 Email: [email protected] Course Content This course is a cultural historical perspective of the Weimar Republic and it will provide the student with the opportunity to examine the uniquely creative and innovative spirit of German society during the brief period of its first democracy, from 1918-1933. The Weimar Republic is generally remembered today for its vibrant and modernist culture developed in the 1920s in which the spirit of Weimar can be perceived as a spirit that danced on the edge of a volcano. The term Weimar culture is closely associated with the pulsating, decadent nightlife of Berlin where slogans “everything that pleases is allowed” appeared credible. Along with examples from Berlin’s unique theater life, students will also be introduced to many of Weimar’s notable cultural and artistic achievements through examination of such topics as German Expressionism in art and literature, and the merging of art and craft in the modernist school of the Bauhaus. The student will examine various forms of social tensions of Weimar society as portrayed in such film classics as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu, and The Blue Angel. In addition to the study of film, the student will read selections of fiction from writers such as Franz Werfel and Friedrich Wolf whose works exemplify the deep conflicts of Weimar society. Student Learning Outcomes This course provides students with basic information about the cultural experience of Weimar 1919-1933. This information will be presented in form of readings from two textbooks and additional texts (in a course reading packet), which students are expected to read in preparation of each class. Short quizzes will test the students’ ability to absorb the major information and arguments from these readings and ensure that the students are prepared for participation in class discussion. A number of films will be shown in class, some in their entirety, and others as Univ of Dallas excerpts. The seminar setting will allow students to work on their skills of presentation and argumentation. It gives students an opportunity to engage in discussions and play an active role in the learning process. The writing of concise reviews will help students develop their skills in interpreting, analyzing, and critiquing the major arguments. Textbooks Weitz, Eric. Weimar Germany: Promise and Tragedy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007. Gay, Peter. Weimar Culture: The Outsider as Insider. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1968. Course Reading Packet (available in the History Office). Attendance and Drop Policy - NEED TO RE-WRITE Attendance will be taken at the beginning of all classes. I will not drop students for excessive absences. However, please be reminded that participation counts for 20% of your final grade. Students are responsible for dropping a course before the cut-off date for drops. Last day to drop courses: (TBA) Course Requirements and Grading: Class Participation: 20% Four Review Quizzes: 20% 1 Film and 2 Book Reviews (Each 10pts.) 30% Final: 30% The final grade consists of four components: (1) class participation; (2) review quizzes; (3) movie and article reviews; a comprehensive final. The grade for class participation is based on your physical presence in class and your active AND informed participation in class discussion. To ensure that you are prepared for each class, you will be given four review quizzes. Each quiz will consist of five short-answer questions and each quiz is worth five percent. To prepare for these quizzes, you need to thoroughly read the texts assigned for each class and take notes or underline important information. These are open-book quizzes, and in addition to your text, you may use your notes during the quiz but NOT your notebook or computer. Univ of Dallas Movie and article reviews should not exceed three pages (Times New Roman 12 pt., double spaced and normal margins). Please keep in mind that these are reviews and NOT reports. Movie reviews have to provide an interpretation and analysis of the movie’s main theme(s) and not just summarize the movie plot. The same applies for reviews of historical texts: students are expected to examine and analyze the main argument, providing critique of the author’s argument. I accept ONLY paper submissions. Failure to submit the review in time results in a penalty for late submission (one letter grade per day). The final is comprehensive, meaning the student is responsible for the material in all reading assignments, including major themes of films shown in class, as well as major points developed in classroom discussion. Please keep in mind that this is NOT a lecture course but a seminar (meaning that this is a student-centered form of academic learning). Univ of Dallas CLASS SCHEDULE: Week 1 Introduction Sept. 2 Week 2 Sept 7 A Troubled Beginning Weitz, Weimar Germany, pp 7-39. Otto Dix, Georg Grosz, Käthe Kollwitz, and Hitler's drawings from the war Sept 9 Trauma of Birth Gay, Weimar Culture, pp 1-45. Week 3 Sept. 14 Trials of Modernity Gay, Weimar Culture, pp 70-101. Sept. 16 Revolt of the Son: The Expressionist Years Quiz 1 Gay, Weimar Culture, pp 102-118. (Caligari) Andriopoulos, Stefan. "Suggestion, Hypnosis, and Crime," in Weimar Cinema. New York: Columbia University Press, 2009, pp. 13-32. Week 4 Sept. 21 Film: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) Sept. 23 Film: Excerpts from Murnau's Nosferatu and class discussion Week 5 Old Age and Generational Change Sept. 28 Film: Murnau's The Last Laugh - in class discussion Sept 30 The Rise and Decline of the Avant-Garde: New Writing and the Stage Laqueur, Walter. Weimar: A Cultural History. 110-154. Week 6 Oct. 5 Werfel, Franz. Not the Murderer, the Victim is Guilty. Review of Not the - in class discussion Murderer, the Victim is Guilty due Oct. 7 Diverse Art Centers: Babelsberg, Dresden, and Weimar Univ of Dallas (Die Brücke, der Blaue Reiter, P. Klee, and W. Kandinsky; Power Point) Week 7 Oct.12 Bauhaus and Architecture: Building a New Germany Weitz, Weimar Germany, ch. 5, pp. 169-206. Oct 14 Bauhaus and Housing for the Masses Weimar Sourcebook, ch. 17 & 18, pp. 429-471 Week 8 Oct. 19 Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity): Revenge of the Father Quiz 2 Weimar Sourcebook, ch. 19, 474-499. Gay, Weimar Culture, pp. 119-145. Oct. 21 The Rise of the New Woman Weimar Sourcebook, ch. 8, pp. 195-219. Excerpts from the film: The Blue Angel Week 9 Oct. 26 Sexuality: Private Rights versus Social Norms Quiz 3 Weimar Sourcebook , ch. 29, 693-717. Oct. 28 Bodies and Sex Weitz, Weimar Germany, ch. 8, pp. 297-330. Week 10 Nov. 2 Friedrich Wolf, a play: Professor Mamlock Review Professor in class discussion Mamlock due Nov. 4 Berlin: Walking the City Weitz, Weimar Germany, ch. 2, pp. 41-79. Week 11 Nov. 9 Berlin from Sunrise to Sunset: a Documentary Film: Symphony of a City Nov. 11 Political Satire in the Early Weimar Republic Jelavich, Peter. Berlin Cabaret. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1993. pp. 118-186. Week 12 Nov. 16 B. Brecht's Three Penny Opera Excerpts from the film Nov. 18 Mass Consumption, Fashion, and Advertizing Univ of Dallas Weimar Sourcebook, ch. 27, pp. 655-672. Weitz, Weimar Germany, ch. 7, pp. 251-296. Week 13 Political Cabaret at the End of the Republic Nov. 23 Jelavich, Peter. Berlin Cabaret. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Quiz 4 University Press, 1993. pp. 187-227. Nov. 25 Thanksgiving Week 14 Nov.30 Film: Cabaret (with Liza Minnelli) Dec. 2 Continue Film: Cabaret (with Liza Minnelli) followed by class discussion Week 15 Dec. 7 The Weimar Revue: Nude Dancing & Americanization of Review Cabaret Entertainment due Jelavich, Peter. Berlin Cabaret. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1993. pp. 154-186. Dec. 9 – Last Class Day Pacifism and Modern Dance Theater Walther, Suzanne. Dance of Death: Kurt Jooss and the Weimar Years. New York & London: Routledge, 1994. pp. 58-73. scenes from The Green Table Closing Comments and Review for final Week 16 Final Exam Week Date of the Final will be announced .