Kultur Prompts

1. Kapitel 1
2. Kapitel 2
3. Kapitel 3
4. Kapitel 4
5. Kapitel 5 
6. Kapitel 6

For each chapter, there will be a list of about 2-5 articles or links on topics of German culture. 

The assignment is to read through them, and then post on ONE  article that you found particularly interesting. Feel free to re-post an image or link if it is relevant and you would like to make sure other students saw it! 

There is also some flexibility for creativity/exploration here: if you find a related and relevant link, you may also write your post on a web page of your choosing.  Ask your instructor if you are unsure about your choice.

Kapitel 1 Kultur-Texte: read and post on one article!

•  a. Download and read the pdf brochure How German is American (Source: the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin).
• This pdf brochure is not short (50 pages), so we hope you won't print it out: it's meant to be a quick and interesting read and shouldn't take you much more than an hour at the computer. Topics range from the history of German immigration to America, to Kindergarten, Bambi, Oktoberfest, and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
•  b. Lesen Sie "Brennpunkt Kultur" in V: Seite 13 ("Greetings and farewells"), Seite 17 ("Titles of address") und Seite 30 ("Where German is spoken")
• c. OPTIONAL: The Hasselhoff Blemish: Germany’s Ticklish History

2. OPTIONAL: Watch the "Kapitel 1 Videos zum Spaß [=for fun]":

• Die Küstenwache [=coast guard]
• "Du": David Hasselhoff singt auf Deutsch
• "I've been looking for Freedom"--David Hasselhoff Parodie
• German Lessons: Unit 1 - Saying "hello" in German
• Sesamstraße: Ernie zählt Äpfel
• Mo Do: Eins zwei Polizei
• Die Toten Hosen: Zehn kleine Jägermeister

3. OPTIONAL: Look over this great compilation of greetings and farewells in German-speaking countries! 

Kapitel 2 Kultur-Texte: read and post on ONE!

• The German National Pastime: Whining, Bitching and Moaning (Note the info about the soccer team is out of date: after the German team's uncharacteristically adventurous play and 3rd place finishes in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, Germans have been upbeat about the team. Of course, this could change quickly, if the team gets a little worse )
• "The Germanic Stare Down": Watcha Lookin’ at, Granny?
• Brutally Honest: "Have You Gained Weight?"
• By the Numbers: An Obsession With Statistics
• Lesen Sie "Brennpunkt Kultur" in V: Seite 45 ("German immigration to North America") und Seite 50 ("Types of universities in Germany")
• OPTIONAL: Baring It All: Get Naked with the Germans
• Most of these texts were written as an introduction to Germany for visitors to the 2006 soccer World Cup. They remain relevant and interesting, so please don't be distracted by references to "the upcoming World Cup"
• The cultural readings for German 101 and 102 won't just include texts that make the German-speaking countries look good. There are positive and negative things to be said about every culture, and we want to provide you with a variety of perspectives, not to indoctrinate you. And of course we want you to have a little fun

 Kapitel 3 Kultur-Texte: read and post on ONE!

• Choose 3 of the following 5 articles to read...:
  • An Obsession Explained: Beer, Brewskies and Liquid Bread
  • Capping the Bottle: Germany Looks to Tighten Up Public Drinking Rules
  • Eco-Centric Germans: Organic Food Obsessions
  • German Fast Food: Forget the "Mett," Try a "Frikadelle"
  • Yo Dude, What About the Turks? An Introduction to Germany's Real Fast Food Joints
  ...and read all of the following:
  • The Dark Side: Optimists are Idiots
  • Teutonic Humor: Vee Have Vays of Making You Laugh
    • For fun, you could look at these articles about some British research from 2002 that seems to prove Germans have the best sense of humor in the world: Humor across the Globe and Official! World's Funniest Joke.
  • Lesen Sie "Brennpunkt Kultur" in V: Seite 79 ("Mealtimes in German-speaking countries"), Seite 90 ("The metric system") und Seite 97 ("Heidelberg and Mannheim")

 Kapitel 4 Kultur-Texte: read and post on ONE!

• Two-Wheeled Teutons: Stay Off the Bike Path!
• The Red Dictator: Crossing the Strasse
• Illogical Logic: The Right Answer in Germany May Be the Wrong One
• Fare-Dodgers Beware: There’s No Such Things as a Free Ride
• Disorderly Germans: Playing Chicken on the Einbahnstraße
• Lesen Sie "Brennpunkt Kultur" in V: Seite 121 ("Studienmöglichkeiten in Deutschland"), Seite 138 ("Fahrschule und Fahrrad fahren"), Seite 143 ("Mit der Bahn fahren") und Seite 152 ("Frankfurt am Main")
  • Note some inaccuracies in the Frankfurt text: Frankfurt's airport is only the third busiest airport in Europe, and neither Deutsche Bahn nor Lufthansa has its headquarters in Frankfurt. It is, however, absolutely true that Frankfurt is the hub of Germany's banking and business community, and the location of Germany's stock market.
  • Note that Germany has in recent years introduced "Begleitetes Fahren ab 17", allowing 17-year olds to drive in the company of an adult over 30 who has had a driver's license for at least 5 years. This has been a success in terms of reducing the number of accidents by beginning drivers, and so there have been discussions of lowering the age limit for "Begleitetes Fahren" to 16.

 Kapitel 5 Kultur-Texte: read and post on ONE!

• Rules of the Street: No Blood, No Entschuldigung
• German Erotica: The Land of Beer, Sausage and Sex Shops
  • WARNING: This article is written in an intentionally provocative tone that you may find offensive. If you would rather not read it, here is the main point: "In Germany sex shops are simply no big deal. They can be anywhere and nobody cares."
  The Loneliness of the Klofrau: Toilet Training for Visitors
• Scoring a German: Flirting with Fräuleins, Hunting for Herren
• Excerpts from "Women in Germany" [Published 11/30/2005 by the Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth]
• Lesen Sie "Brennpunkt Kultur" in V: Seite 163 ("Hansestadt Hamburg") und Seite 180 ("Bekannte oder Freunde?")
  • OPTIONAL: Read these interesting quotes from young Germans and Americans on the German connotations of the terms "Cliquen" and "Kneipen."

 Kapitel 6 Kultur-Texte: read and post on ONE!

• Sex, Smut and Shock: Bild Zeitung Rules Germany [re: "Meinung" p 222]
• German Privacy: Come On In, My Door Is Always Closed
• Division Hell: Worshipping the Garbage Gods
• Lesen Sie "Brennpunkt Kultur" in V: Seite 202 ("Wo Studenten wohnen") und Seite 210 ("Tübingen")