Unit name | Images of Austria: Blue Danube and the Third Man |
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Unit code | GERM10030 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Kreutner |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of German |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
What is Austria? Germany's little step-son? Home of the ultimate Sound of Music? Or a dark dungeon that gave birth to Hitler and Fritzl?
This unit focuses on giving the students an introduction to Austria from various perspectives. We will look at the image of Austria, how the country is seen and perceived in the world and how Austrians see themselves. The aim of this unit is to supply students with basic knowledge of Austrian history, culture and everyday life with the help of literature, film, TV, music and press.
'Aims:'
By the end of the unit students will have an overview of different concepts of culture, identity, mentality, stereotype and cliché and will be trained to analyse and discuss images of Austria presented in media in this context.
Students will also become familiar with important stages of Austrian history after 1945, which both defined Austrians’ own sense of identity, and shaped the perceptions of Austria in the world. This enables students to also to (re)construct their own views of Austria, being sensitive to the influences of the media on this image.
2 Seminar hours
project 50%, essay 50%