The course will be held entirely in German and follows the format of a "Seminar" common in German universities. It is based on the principle that knowledge is not taught by one person to a group of persons but is constructed collectively through discussion and exchange of information. The format will be used to discuss social, economic and political aspects of German history and contemporary German-speaking societies. 

This course acquaints students with salient characteristics of the social, cultural, political and economic life of German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria or Switzerland.