German

Course summary

Aspects of German-speaking society: current trends: Year 12 a. Family and relationships (marriage and partnerships; different models of family; change in the family structure; attitudes towards marriage and divorce; the influence of the catholic church. b. The Digital World: Internet and the dangers/risks; social networks; digitalization of society – smartphones and uses. c. Youth Culture: Fashion & image; music for young people; the role of the TV. Artistic culture in the German-speaking world: Year 12 a. Festivals and traditions; origins of festivals and their importance in German society; diversity of festivals and traditions in different regions of the German-speaking world. b. Art and Architecture: artists and architecture; artistic and cultural heritage – past, present & future, and its diversity. c. The Berlin Culture – then and now: Berlin shaped through its history; theatre, music, and museums; and the diversity of its people. Aspects of political life in the German-speaking world: Year 13 a. Germany and the European Union: the role of Germany in Europe; advantages and disadvantages of the EU for Germany; the effect of a widening EU on Germany. b. Politics and youth: political engagement of young people; the focus of youth politics; values and ideals. c. German reunification and its consequences: a peaceful revolution in the DDR; the reunification; the old and new federal state – culture and identity. Multiculturalism in German-speaking society: Year 13 a. Immigration: the reasons for it, the advantages and disadvantages of it, and the migration policies of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. b. Integration: measures for integrating people into German-speaking countries, obstacles to integration and the experiences of various migrant groups c. Racism: the victims, the causes and the fight against racism