Between Tradition and Modernity: The History of Austria in the 20th Century (Seminar)

A survey of the eventful Austrian history in the past 100 years from the Doppelmonarchie Austria-Hungary, the First Republic of Austria in 1918, and the Anschluss to nationalistic Germany in 1938, to the founding of the Second Republic in 1945, the attainment of sovereignty in 1955 and the joining of the European Union in 1995. The emphasis will not be exclusively on political developments but also on social and cultural history. The course will deal with literature, science and the arts as well as with everyday life and questions of cultural and national identity.

Required text: Karl Vocelka, Geschichte Österreichs. Kultur, Gesellschaft, Politik. 3. Aufl. (Heyne).