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Overview of main topics in Level Three:
Episode 25: Eine Familiengeschichte (A Family History), Lebensstile (Life Styles) General Description and Culture Professor Di Donato, Susanne, and German-speaking guests discuss their lives and personal histories. In Eine Familiengeschichte, Meta Heyn, the 91 year-old grandmother of Sybille Heyn, relates the family history to her while looking through a family photo album. She describes the various historical events that the family experienced over the century. In Lebensstile, Peter and Sabine Schenk give us some insights about why they marry and have a family, while Nora Bausch gives her views on living as a single person in Germany.
Episode 26: Jugend in Bewegung (Young People on the Move), Drei Jugendporträts (Three Youths) General Description and Culture Jugend in Bewegung is a retrospective on youth in Germany from the 1950’s to the present that shows how youth have had to fight for the liberty to choose different lifestyles. Susanne Dyrchs talks about her political views and interests of her friends. German speakers comment on the political interests of youths today. In Drei Jugendportrat, three young people talk about their lives, their work, and their interests. Ulla is a student at the Gymnasium, Christian is learning to be a bank manager, and Ramona is becoming a florist. All talk about why they chose their particular career path and what their expectations for their careers are.
Episode 27: Geschichte eines Gymnasiums (History of a Gymnasium), Der Schulalltag (A Typical School Day) General Description and Culture Professor Di Donato, Susanne, and guest speakers talk about what a typical school day is like. In Geschichte eines Gymnasiums, we learn about the long history of the Gymnasium in Bremen, which dates back to the 16th century. The subjects studied in those days – reading, writing, and math – were much different than those learned at the school today. In Der Schulalltag, we follow Karolin through a typical day at her school near Frankfurt and see the types of classes she takes and the activities in which she is involved. Review Episode 9: Eine Familiengeschichte (A Family History), Drei Jugendportrats (Three Youths), Der Schulalltog (A Typical School Day)
Episode 28: Geschichte einer Universität (History of a University), Ein Student aus Kamerun (A Student From Cameroon) General Description and Culture Geschichte einer Universität offers a look at the founding of the University of Heidelberg, and its history to the present day, which reveals a number of changes over the centuries. This retrospective also presents famous people who either studied or taught at the university and looks at how the university weathered the political storms of the 1960’s. In Ein Student aus Kamerun, we see Guy, a student from Cameroon, writing a letter to his brother Eric and describing his experiences at a university in Germany. He talks about his studies, his housing, and of course, the Mensa (cafeteria). A Guest speaker addresses the issue of foreign students and describes her daily routine at the university.
Episode 29: Wirtschaft im Wandel (A Changing Economy), Hilfe für Arbeitslose (Help for the Unemployed) General Description and Culture Wirtschaft im Wandel looks back at Germany’s changing economy from the Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle) of the 1950’s and 1960’s to today. Guest speakers introduce the retrospective and talk about the professions they have chosen. Other comments address more generally how people in different German-speaking countries choose a profession. The episode continues with Hilfe für Arbeitslose, which focuses on Monika Schneider, an Arbeitsvermittlerin (employment officer), and her role in helping people find jobs that suit their qualification. We see her conduct an interview with an unemployed electrician and watch her visit a pharmacy owner to help him find a qualified employee. These specific examples are followed by comments on the employment picture in Germany and Europe in general.
Episode 30: Die Frauenbewegung (The Women’s Movement), Im Auftrag der Frauen (Representing Women) General Description and Culture In Die Frauenbewegung, Julia, who works in a feminist bookstore, introduces a retrospective on the women’s movement in Germany. It begins with a look at the lack of opportunity her great-grandmother and grandmother had and shows how things had changed for her mother. The retrospective is interspersed with comments by guest speakers presenting their views on women’s rights and discussing discrimination they have encountered. Im Auftrag der Frauen, we visit Christa Pieper, a social service worker who helps women settle issues or problems in the workplace. She tries to create better working conditions for women and works toward creating solidarity between men and women. Differences in attitude become clear in a conversation on women’s roles between two of the guest speakers, Grace and Gürkan. Review Episode 10: Geschichte einer Universität (History of a University), Ein Student aus Kamerun (A Student From Cameroon), Hilfe für Arbeitslose (Help for the Unemployed)
Episode 31: Ein grünes Hobby (A Green Hobby), Weiterbilden in der Freizeit (Leisure Learning) General Description and Culture Professor Di Donato and guest speakers talk about what they like to do in their leisure time. Ein grünes Hobby concentrates on the Germans’ love for gardening. Cities such as Berlin became overcrowded a hundred years ago and the people yearned for more green space. They began to plant gardens (Schrebergarten) outside of the city in order to enjoy nature. Weiterbilden in der Freizeit presents a perspective on leisure learning. Today, many people in Germany take advantage of what the Volkshochschule (community college) has to offer them. Courses in painting, computers, and languages, among many others, are particularly attractive to many people.
Episode 32: Urlaub: Gestern und heute (Vacation: Yesterday and Today), Abenteuerurlaub (Adventure Vacation) General Description and Culture Professor Di Donato and guest speakers talk about the importance of vacation in our lives and what people like to do on vacation. Urlaub: Gestern und heute explores the history of vacations. One hundred years ago, a vacation was a luxury. But as Germans began to acquire more time and money, they started to travel to places within their own country, such as Bavaria and the Baltic Sea. Back then, however, only the rich could afford a cruise. During the National Socialist period, vacations were organized by the state. In the German Democratic Republic, people were only allowed to travel to eastern bloc countries. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, Germans in the west traveled primarily to Austria and Spain. After that the tourist industry began to boom. Today Germans use their average of 30 days vacation to travel to all parts of the world. In Abenteuerurlaub, Birgit has decided to go on an adventure vacation. She chooses canyoning, guided climbing into canyon caves and crevices. We watch her experience the thrills of canyoning. In the end, as tired as she is, she finds the experience exhilarating and refreshing.
Episode 33: Ein Kurort (A Spa), Ein Arztbesuch (A Visit to the Doctor) General Description and Culture Ein Kurort presents an historical view of the spa culture and the concept of the Kur (spa therapy) in Germany, while guest speakers give their views on the Kur tradition and on staying fit in general. During the 19th century only prominent people and nobility could go to the spa. In fact, on July 13th, 1870, the French ambassador and the German Kaiser met at the Bad Ems Kur and got into an argument. This argument led to the war of 1871 between Germany and France. During World War I, French troops were stationed in the hotels at Bad Ems, while Bad Ems remained virtually untouched in World War II. In Ein Arztbesuch, we follow Sven Schüer to his general practitioner, whom he is seeing as part of his preventive medicine program. Guest speakers from different German-speaking countries talk about the health care systems there. Review Episode 11: Weiterbilden in der Freizeit (Leisure Learning), Urlaub: Gestern und heute (Vacation: Yesterday and Today), Abenteuerurlaub (Adventure Vacation)
Episode 34: Typisch Deutsch? (Typically German?), Vom Sauerkraut zur Pizza (From Sauerkraut to Pizza) General Description and Culture In Typisch Deutsch?, Erguen Cervik, a Turk living in Germany, narrates his view of the country. For him German cleanliness, order, and punctuality stand out. He comments on the system of traffic signs and lights as well as the tendency for Germans, in his opinion, to plan their time. Vom Sauerkraut zur Pizza follows the history of food in Germany. While sauerkraut and Schweinebraten (pork roast) are not a thing of the past in Germany, other foods brought to Germany by immigrants have become very popular. During the 1950’s, Germans relied on schnitzel and bratwurst, but with the wave of immigrants coming into the country more and more new foods are being introduced. Foreigners have not only brought new foods with them, they have essentially made Germany into a multicultural country. Guest speakers comment on this phenomenon of multiculturalism and how it is being received in German-speaking countries.
Episode 35: Auf Kosten der Umwelt (At What Cost to the Environment?), Umweltschutz zu Hause (Environmental Protection at Home) General Description and Culture Professor Di Donato and the German-speaking guests present their views on the environment. In Auf Kosten der Umwelt, we see how Germany’s industry after World War II grew rapidly and, consequently, how the landscape became polluted and the forests began to die. For many years now Germans have taken pains to protect the environment. More and more laws to protect it are passed every year. Umweltschutz zu Hause presents Barbel Barmbek who lives in a community near Hamburg. She demonstrates for the viewers how her family’s house is a model of energy efficiency and environmental protection. From its grass roof to its wood floors, every aspect of the house was designed with the environment in mind Episode 36: Theater für Jugendliche (Theater for Young People), 100 Jahre deutscher Film (100 Years of German Cinema) General Description and Culture In Theater für Jugendliche, viewers visit the Grips (brains, intellect) theater, a children’s theater in Berlin that is featuring a musical called "Linie 1" about a young woman and her experiences in the big city. 100 Jahre deutscher Film presents a history of film from its beginnings nearly 100 years ago to the present. Silent films were an artistic achievement in the Germany of the 1920’s. Excerpts from a variety of German films through the years from "Das Cabinett des Dr. Caligari" (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) to "Die Ehe der Maria Braun" (The Marriage of Maria Braun) attest to the ingenuity of German filmmakers. Guest speakers comment on the types of films they like and why they like them as well as on what types of cultural events they enjoy. |
