Culture in the Weimar Republic (Level 6)

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 6
• Convenor: Dr Anna Richards
• Assessment: a 3500-word essay (100%)

In this module you will gain an overview of developments in German culture during this fascinating and difficult period of German history, the Weimar Republic (1919-1933). We will study five works (literary texts and films) in order to explore in depth cultural movements such as Expressionism and New Objectivity and analyse the relationship between cultural artefacts and the historical context in which they are produced.

All of the texts that you will study are available in both German and in English translation. In the case of films, they will be in German with English subtitles.

Indicative syllabus

• Ernst Toller, Hinkemann (Hinkemann) (1923)
• Georg Wilhelm Pabst, Die Büchse der Pandora (Pandora’s Box) (1928/29)
• Vicki Baum, Menschen im Hotel (Grand Hotel) (1929)
• Slatan Dudow, Kuhle Wampe (1932)
• Hans Fallada, Kleiner Mann, was nun? (What Now, Little Man?) (1932)