Cultures of German-Speaking Countries I

The course aims to equip students with advanced tools to contextualise the main historical and social transformations in German-speaking countries from the 18th century to the present, also in relation to the forms of political and institutional organisation and the cultural discourses which accompanied the unfolding of these transformations. The ultimate goal is to develop students' ability to understand these phenomena in a diachronic perspective, enabling them to recognise how certain overarching themes have impacted on the current situation of these countries. Particular emphasis is placed on how, over time, German-speaking cultures came to develop paradigms for understanding and representing phenomena that shaped the collective experience, defining trans-historical categories that produced closely-related outcomes across diverse disciplines (philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and aesthetics).

Knowledge and understanding
Students are expected to develop a solid ability to navigate the historical, social and cultural contexts in which the main modernisation processes of German-speaking countries have taken shape, focusing on key moments from the 18th century onward. They should demonstrate chronologically grounded knowledge, and command of some major categories of periodisation. A key aspect is the ability to connect the present with the historical processes that have shaped it, using fundamental interpretive frameworks. In coordination with other courses regarding German studies, students are expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of German-speaking societies, supported by the ability to use a mature vocabulary, including the specialised terminology of sociology, the history of ideas, and the history of political thought.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students are expected to demonstrate a mature ability to apply the models for understanding history, as acquired during the course, to pragmatic relations. As future mediators, they should be able to understand the complexities underlying contemporary German-speaking societies by relating them to their historical and cultural foundations, and to propose strategies for handling intercultural interactions in these countries.
Making judgements
Students will develop the ability to independently interpret various types of texts related to the cultural history of German-speaking countries, understanding argumentative strategies, terminological choices and ideological positioning expressed in those texts. They are also expected to be able to reflect critically on some major material and immaterial foundations of social life in these countries, with a focus on the public representation of the past, on the relationship between practice and its interpretation and representations, and on the intercultural relations between the German-speaking world and other societies with which it maintains economic, social, or political ties.
Communication skills
Students are expected to develop the ability to navigate complex communicative contexts, with particular regard to communicative practices in German-speaking countries. More specifically, students should be able to recognise the characteristics, expectations and interests of the target audience, and to adapt communication strategies accordingly, incorporating metacognitive elements into intercultural communication, also based on a clear understanding of their own historical and cultural positioning.
Learning skills
Students are expected to acquire the ability to navigate bibliographic materials, databases and online corpora related to the topics covered by the course, as well as other information sources accessible through various channels — from digital platforms to direct engagement with institutions and other qualified stakeholders.