HIST 2510A: 19th Century Germany
Fall 2022
Instructor: Professor Jennifer Evans
The story of 19th century Germany is much more than Bismarck, the rise of nationalism, and military power. There actually co-existed many different Germanys. One was marked by quaint villages in verdant landscapes, while another chafed under overcrowding and unchecked urban industrial growth. One witnessed the rise of military might, while another celebrated enlightenment and civic virtue. One saw notions of race, culture and civilization justify the exclusion of citizens and subjects, while another witnessed radicals and liberals demand rights, privileges, and representation. One positioned German Jews simultaneously as outsiders and patriots, while another saw women organize across the political spectrum for more meaningful personal and public lives. In one Germany, science was exploited to make arguments about racial fitness while in another it helped activists lobby for the decriminalization of homosexuality as a human right.
Through a wide range of sources including memoirs, maps, literature, music, and letters, our course will explore the various intertwined – and less known – histories of 19th century Germany to better appreciate its complicated path through modernity and statehood.
Structure
This class meets in person and is organized around lectures and small-group discussion sections. It is a dynamic learning environment where attendance and participation allow students to get the most out of the course material.
Assessment
Students will be required to complete assignments that demonstrate engagement with the course readings and materials. These may include weekly quizzes, document analyses, blogging, annotation exercises, timeline exercises, and formal pieces of writing. There is no final exam in this course.
Readings
I use an eclectic mix of primary and secondary source readings, from memoirs to government documents. The readings will be available via the MacOdrum Library Catalogue or as hyperlinks in our course management software.
Please feel free to contact me for more details: Jennifer_evans@carleton.ca