Tracing the emergence of German colonial aspirations from mid-nineteenth century to nostalgic recollections of the colonies after World War I, the course examines novels, short stories, autobiographical and travel writings, essays, films, propaganda and advertising. These materials are selected to shed light on controversies about key terms such as imperialism, colonialism, decolonization, racism, and genocide. Attention is also paid to the implications of the colonial past for German society today.

This is a two-track course: students who know German read the texts in the original, while those who cannot read English translations. A "piggy-back"graduate section will be arranged.