Germany and the Middle East

Germany's relations to the Middle East have been shaped by recent events (9/11) and a long cultural history, dating from the emergence of "Oriental" studies in the romantic era. "Orient" and "Occident" came to be understood as cultural, religious, political, and social opposites. Special focus on how these views have changed over time and how they informed German and, more broadly, European foreign policy and culture through literature, history, cinema and politics. Readings include: Herodotus, Rushdie, Wheatcroft, Said, Osterhammel, Wolfgang von Goethe, Herf, McMeekin, Boveri, etc. Taught in English, reading knowledge of German required.