Capitalizes on the ripeness of the German case for interdisciplinary investigation

Major changes have been taking place in the context of German Studies in both secondary and higher education, with the focus shifting to a broader range of cultural forms. Based on the view that cultures are the products of class, place, gender, and race, German Cultural Studies takes account of these changes and adopts an interdisciplinary approach in its wide-ranging study of German culture and society since 1871. Emphasizing recent and contemporary developments, the book features chronological sections on Imperial Germany, the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, the German Democratic Republic, and the Federal Republic. The contributors chart the growth of modernization and the culture industry in Germany, and examine the extent to which culture in any given period functions as an instrument of ideological manipulation or critical enlightenment. Throughout, the emphasis is on the interactions of culture, society and ideology, and the role of culture in both public and private consciousnesses. Copiously illustrated, and with a comprehensive bibliography, the volume will be essential reading for anyone interested in modern and contemporary German society and its culture.

As the study of German comes under the influence of other disciplinary approaches, the notion of culture has evolved from one focused largely on the arts to an approach which understands culture as the way of life of a people or a period. This introductory book examines contemporary German culture not only in the context of its intellectual life--the media, the arts, political figures and events --but also in the context of the theories and methodologies of cultural studies, anthropology, and sociology. Providing a critical assessment of the diversity of German culture and identity, Contemporary German Cultural Studies focuses on the contemporary period and at the same time considers the influence of the past and forces such as globalization. The emphasis is on the interpretation and analysis of the varieties of German cultures--the processes, the practices and the performances. The book also explores intercultural issues, including the implications of studying German culture from an anglophone perspective.

With more than 1,100 entries written by an international group of over 150 contributors, the Encyclopedia of Contemporary German Culture brings together myriad strands of social, political and cultural life in the post-1945 German-speaking world. With a unique structure and format, an inclusive treatment of the concept of culture, and coverage of East, West and post-unification Germany, as well as Austria and Switzerland, the Encyclopedia of Contemporary German Culture is the first reference work of its kind. Containing longer overviews of up to 2,000 words, as well as shorter factual entries, cross-referencing to other relevant articles, useful further reading suggestions and extensive indexing, this highly useable volume provides the scholar, teacher, student or non-specialist with an astonishing breadth and depth of information.

A study probing the ambiguities of German nationhood. Berman takes a theoretical perspective of cultural studies, exploring such themes as: the constitution of nationhood; what holds a citizenry together; and history's role in providing a framework for current identities and institutions.

The first section of the volume is general and tries to make sense of current institutional realities; the second section consists of case studies that overcome the disciplinary divisions of Slavic Studies by adding together various hyphenated approaches: history and cultural studies, anthropology and oral history, film studies and photography.