School of Humanities  
 
 
HIS-30117 After Hitler: West Germany and the Transition to Democracy l  
Co-ordinator: Dr Anthony Kauders   Tel:33197  
Teaching Team: Miss Amanda  Roberts, Mrs Christine  Edge, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
History Dual Honours (Level 3)
History Major (Level 3)
History Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
PIR-20072

Prerequisites
None
Description

The Third Reich lasted only twelve years, but its impact was enormous. Germany was occupied, discredited, humiliated, and shamed. In 1945, few people could imagine that a country that had
been responsible for mass warfare and genocide would one day emerge as a stable, democratic,
and peaceful state in Europe. This module examines West Germany's transition from dictatorship to democracy. In the first weeks of the course we shall discuss theoretical issues pertaining to the subject, including definitions of democracy and conditions for democratization. We will also analyze earlier traditions (Weimar and the Third Reich) that affected politics and culture after 1945 as well as Allied (and particularly American) plans for denazification, democratization, and demilitarization. The remainder of the course will deal with various developments that (possibly) enabled West Germans to embrace a form of government that many had rejected in the past. These include the Economic Miracle, the birth of consumer society, West Germany's Americanization and Westernization, and the emergence of a new middle class.
Linked module: HIS-30045
Aims
To introduce students to the study of German History after National Socialism
To familiarize students with key theories of democratization
To enable students to identify and assess different perspectives of the historiography on West Germany
Intended Learning Outcomes
discuss, evaluate, and critically assess a range of primary sources will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
discuss, evaluate, and critically assess historical debates and methodological approaches will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
utilize critically primary sources in order to produce historical narratives will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
engage in debate in a sensitive, constructive, and rigorous manner will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Study hours
10x 2-hour seminars
50 hours seminar preparation
30 hours extended source commentary preparation
50 hours preparation unseen exam
Description of Module Assessment
01: 2 Hour Exam weighted 50%
2 hr unseen exam
Unseen exam weighted at 50%, students to answer 2 from 8 questions
02: Class Participation weighted 20%
Class
Assessment is based on the frequency and quality of contributions to discussions as well as on 2-3 group presentations on a relevant aspect of post-1945 West German history.
03: Exercise weighted 30%
Document exercise
Commentary on an historical document, 1700 words, set by tutor
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.