Switzerland - a country in transition

GERM 238

I. Course description:

The end of the Cold War and German unification brought about significant geopolitical changes in Europe. On a present-day European map, Switzerland appears as a "white spot", surrounded by member states of the European Union. This almost stubborn non-alliance of a small country like Switzerland is puzzling to outsiders, and even to some Swiss.

The course will examine historical, socio-cultural, economic and political dimensions of Switzerland with special attention to prospects for integration into the European Union.

The course will have four thematic units:

1. (Hi)stories of an Alpine democracy

2. Four languages and many dialects - maintaining social and linguistic stability

3. Swiss "exports" - from Rousseau to Swatch

4. European integration and the Swiss identity crisis

II. Goals:

• •provide students with a better understanding of the historic development of this tiny Alpine country sandwiched between powerful neighbors; her struggle for independence; her internal ethnic and religious situation; her isolation from and/or corroboration with her neighbors during the 20^th century

• •nurture students' appreciation for diverse regional traditions and artistic expressions in the various Kantons or linguistically distinct geographic areas (German, French, Italian, Romansch)

• •challenge or reevaluate existing stereotypical perceptions of the Swiss or Switzerland by examining Swiss cultural and socio-economic contributions

• •provide a basis for discussing integration questions of integration in connection with national identity

• •offer opportunities to practice different writing styles on selected subjects from the four thematic units

III. Course format:

Aside from lectures which will introduce each theme, the course will have a discussion/seminar format. Students will be provided with reading packages for each theme. Based on extensive readings, the major class time will be devoted to theme-related discussions, advanced vocabulary work, and individual student presentations. At the end of each thematic unit, group presentations will provide an oral summary of the readings and discussions. This presentation requires that groups meet outside of class. Each theme will be supplemented by either a talk by a guest lecturer or viewing of a film.

IV. Requirements:

In addition to extensive reading and note-taking in preparation for participation in class discussions, students will be required to make one presentation on a theme-related topic based on additional individual readings (media information, book, article, Web). They will also write a short review on a guest lecture or film.

Research paper: In the second half of the course, students chose a research topic for a longer paper (8-12 pages) in which they present and discuss a cultural or socio-political issue of present-day Switzerland. The writing process will include three phases: Outline with bibliography, draft, final version.

V. Assessment:

Participation in class discussion 30%

(including group summary)

Writing assignments: 35%

Note-taking and summaries of reading assignments

Essay and outline for Referat

Critical review of guest lecture or film

Oral presentation (Referat) with class discussion 15%

Research paper (outline, draft, final version) 20%

VI. Materials:

Four thematic reading packages

In addition (tentative listing):

Des Schweizers Schweiz - (P.Bichsel)

Die Totaldemokraten - Aufsätze über die Schweiz (P.Bichsel)

Schiller: "Wilhelm Tell" (Auszug) und M. Frisch: "Wilhelm Tell für die Schule"

Schweizer Brevier: Volk,Staat, Wirtschaft, Kultur)

Films:: "Das Boot ist voll" (Markus Imhoof)

"Schweizermacher" (Rolf Lyssy)

Audio-visual materials and color prints (overheads), e.g., on art, architecture, customs

Information from Websites