HSY2450

Contemporary Germany: division and unification

Proposed to be offered next in 1999

Eleanor Hancock

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* Prohibited for students who completed HSY2520 in 1995 or earlier and HSY2510 in 1993.

Objectives Students will be expected to gain a knowledge of the main changes in the political, social and economic systems of the German states since 1945; develop a knowledge of, and reflect on, the changing historical interpretations of developments in German history from 1945 to the present; and continue the acquisition of the critical and analytical skills necessary for the advanced study of history. In addition, third-year students will be expected to develop a historical topic of their own to research and write.

Synopsis The subject examines the division of Germany after 1945 into three separate states with diverging political, economic and social systems, the history of these states (Austria, Federal Republic of Germany, German Democratic Republic since 1945), the internal and international effects of the division of Germany, the causes, course and results of the East German revolution of 1989, the causes and process of unification of the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990, and post-unification developments. It analyses issues such as the effects of the occupation of Germany, political attitudes and values in the German states, causes of the collapse of East Germany, and the problems of Germany since unification.

Assessment Short reading reports (total 1500 words): 15%
* Tutorial essay (2500 words): 35%
* Examination (2 hours): 40%
* Tutorial participation: 10%

Recommended texts

Fulbrook M The Fontana history of Germany 1918-1990 1991
Garton Ash T In Europe's name: Germany and the divided continent 1994