Modern Germany
Published on 20. March 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
464 pages
979-8-7651-4111-3 (ISBN)
Description
This thematic encyclopedia presents a broad overview of contemporary Germany, spanning such topics as geography, pop culture, the media, and gender roles.
Themes in the book cover geography; history; politics and government; economy; religion and thought; social classes and ethnicity; gender, marriage, and sexuality; education; language; etiquette; literature and drama; art and architecture; music and dance; food; leisure and sports; and media and pop culture. Within each theme, short topical entries cover a wide array of key concepts and ideas, from LGBTQ issues in Germany to linguistic dialects to the famous Oktoberfest.
Themes in the book cover geography; history; politics and government; economy; religion and thought; social classes and ethnicity; gender, marriage, and sexuality; education; language; etiquette; literature and drama; art and architecture; music and dance; food; leisure and sports; and media and pop culture. Within each theme, short topical entries cover a wide array of key concepts and ideas, from LGBTQ issues in Germany to linguistic dialects to the famous Oktoberfest.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
Dimensions
Height: 252 mm
Width: 176 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
860 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-7651-4111-3 (9798765141113)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Wendell G. Johnson, PhD, EdD, is head of reference and research for the University Libraries at Northern Illinois University, USA.
Katharina Barbe, PhD, professor emerita, was chair of the department of world languages and literatures at Northern Illinois University, USA.
Katharina Barbe, PhD, professor emerita, was chair of the department of world languages and literatures at Northern Illinois University, USA.
Content
Series Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Geography
Overview
Biosphere Reserves and National Parks
Bodies of Water
Cities
Climate Policy and Recycling
Demographics
Mountain Ranges
Transportation
Chapter 2: History
Overview
Timeline
Adenauer, Konrad (1876-1967)
Berlin Wall
Bismarck, Otto Von (1815-1898)
Catherine the Great (1729-1796)
Charlemagne (748-814)
Clausewitz, Carl Von (1780-1831)
Frank, Anne (1929-1945)
Hindenburg, Paul Von (1847-1934)
Hitler, Adolf (1889-1945)
Honecker, Erich (1912-1994)
Marx, Karl (1818-1883)
Wilhelm II (1859-1941)
Chapter 3: Government and Politics
Overview
Armed Forces
Citizenship
Constitutions
Die Wende
Foreign Policy
The German Welfare State
Germany and the European Union
Germany and the United States
Government and Politics in the German Democratic Republic
Merkel, Angela (1954-)
Political Parties
Regional Government/Federalism
Sports and Government
Tax Policy
Chapter 4: Economy
Overview
Agriculture
Banking
Corporations in Germany
Currency
Energy
Equal Pay Act
Frankfurt Stock Exchange
German Automobile Industry
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Guest Workers
Manufacturing
Services Industry
Trade
Working in Germany
Chapter 5: Religion and Thought
Overview
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich (1906-1945)
Contemporary Attitudes toward Religion
Germanic Religions
Holocaust
Islam in Germany
Judaism in Germany
Luther, Martin (1483-1546)
Pope Benedict XVI (1927-)
The Reformation
Religious Wars
Saint Boniface (675-745)
Chapter 6: Social Classes and Ethnicity
Overview
Aristocracy and the Elites
The Grey Culture
Immigration
Jews in Germany
Nationalism
Poverty
Refugees
Roma and Sinti
Sudeten Germans
Turks in Germany
Chapter 7: Gender, Marriage, and Sexuality
Overview
Child Custody Laws
Civil Unions and Same-Sex Marriage
Feminism
Gender Roles in Germany
LGBTQ Life in Modern Germany
Representation in Government
Weddings and Divorce
Women in the Workforce
Chapter 8: Education
Overview
DAAD
Education in the German Democratic Republic
German Universities and Fachhochschulen
Goethe-Institut
Libraries
Max Planck Gesellschaft
Primary and Secondary Education
Schultuete
Vocational Training (Duale Ausbildung)
Chapter 9: Language
Overview
Development of the Script
Foreign Influences on German
Gesellschaft fuer deutsche Sprache
Grammar
Important Figures in the Study of the German Language
Institut fuer deutsche Sprache
Language Development in Divided Germany
Language Development in the Third Reich
Orthography and Reforms
Sprachgesellschaften (Language Societies)
Standard and Dialect
Chapter 10: Etiquette
Overview
Etiquette for Major Life Events
Formal and Informal
Greetings and Leave-Taking
Knigge
Punctuality
Regional Clothing
Shopping
Chapter 11: Literature and Drama
Overview
Biedermeier (1815-1830), Junges Deutschland (1830-1850), and Vormaerz (1830-1848)
The Early Modern Period (ca. 1550-1750)
The Enlightenment (Aufklaerung) (1680-1789)
Exile Literature (Exilliteratur)
Expressionism (Expressionismus) and Its Successors (1905-1925)
Literature of the German Democratic Republic
The Middle Ages (ca. 718-1500)
Post-Wall Literature (ca. 1989-2005)
Postwar Literature
Realism and Naturalism (Realismus and Naturalismus) (1848-1899)
Romanticism (Romantik) (1788-1835)
Storm and Stress (Sturm und Drang) (1767-1785)
Turn-of-the-Century Literature (Jahrhundertwende) (1880-1920)
Twenty-First-Century German Literature
Weimar Classicism (Weimarer Klassik) (ca. 1772-1805)
Chapter 12: Art and Architecture
Overview
Architecture
Artists
Bauhaus and Walter Gropius
Carolingian Renaissance
Decorative Arts Biedermeier and Jugendstil
Degenerate Art
East German Art
Kollwitz, Kaethe (1867-1945)
Museums
Naturalism
Chapter 13: Music and Dance
Overview
Bausch, Pina (1940-2009)
Bayreuth
Cabaret
Contemporary Popular Music
Dietrich, Marlene (1901-1992)
German Folk Music and Dance
Musical Periods and Composers
Orchestras
Chapter 14: Food
Overview
Beer
Bread
Cake and Coffee (Kaffee und Kuchen)
Food and Drink in the German Democratic Republic
Food Laws in Germany
German Sausages
Oktoberfest
Regional Specialties
Wine
Chapter 15: Leisure and Sports
Overview
Beckenbauer, Franz (1945-)
Becker, Boris (1967-)
Bundesliga
FIFA World Cups
Graf, Steffi (1969-)
Leisure and Sports in the German Democratic Republic
Olympic Games
Schrebergaerten
Vereine
Witt, Katarina (1965-)
Chapter 16: Media and Popular Culture
Overview
Americanization
Boulevard Press
Fashion Designers
Film
Journalism under the Nazi Regime
Ostalgie
Media Photography
Rundfunkgebuehren
Springer, Axel (1912-1985)
Tatort
Appendix A: A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life of a Server and Cook (Doris O.)
A Day in the Life of a Foreign-Language Secretary (Marianne S.)
A Day in the Life of a Mechatronic Technician (Dieter M.)
A Day in the Life of a Retired Administrator (Eva L.)
A Day in the Life of a Student and Teacher (Irma B.)
Appendix B: Glossary of Key Terms
Appendix C: Facts and Figures
Appendix D: Holidays
Selected Bibliography
Index
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Geography
Overview
Biosphere Reserves and National Parks
Bodies of Water
Cities
Climate Policy and Recycling
Demographics
Mountain Ranges
Transportation
Chapter 2: History
Overview
Timeline
Adenauer, Konrad (1876-1967)
Berlin Wall
Bismarck, Otto Von (1815-1898)
Catherine the Great (1729-1796)
Charlemagne (748-814)
Clausewitz, Carl Von (1780-1831)
Frank, Anne (1929-1945)
Hindenburg, Paul Von (1847-1934)
Hitler, Adolf (1889-1945)
Honecker, Erich (1912-1994)
Marx, Karl (1818-1883)
Wilhelm II (1859-1941)
Chapter 3: Government and Politics
Overview
Armed Forces
Citizenship
Constitutions
Die Wende
Foreign Policy
The German Welfare State
Germany and the European Union
Germany and the United States
Government and Politics in the German Democratic Republic
Merkel, Angela (1954-)
Political Parties
Regional Government/Federalism
Sports and Government
Tax Policy
Chapter 4: Economy
Overview
Agriculture
Banking
Corporations in Germany
Currency
Energy
Equal Pay Act
Frankfurt Stock Exchange
German Automobile Industry
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Guest Workers
Manufacturing
Services Industry
Trade
Working in Germany
Chapter 5: Religion and Thought
Overview
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich (1906-1945)
Contemporary Attitudes toward Religion
Germanic Religions
Holocaust
Islam in Germany
Judaism in Germany
Luther, Martin (1483-1546)
Pope Benedict XVI (1927-)
The Reformation
Religious Wars
Saint Boniface (675-745)
Chapter 6: Social Classes and Ethnicity
Overview
Aristocracy and the Elites
The Grey Culture
Immigration
Jews in Germany
Nationalism
Poverty
Refugees
Roma and Sinti
Sudeten Germans
Turks in Germany
Chapter 7: Gender, Marriage, and Sexuality
Overview
Child Custody Laws
Civil Unions and Same-Sex Marriage
Feminism
Gender Roles in Germany
LGBTQ Life in Modern Germany
Representation in Government
Weddings and Divorce
Women in the Workforce
Chapter 8: Education
Overview
DAAD
Education in the German Democratic Republic
German Universities and Fachhochschulen
Goethe-Institut
Libraries
Max Planck Gesellschaft
Primary and Secondary Education
Schultuete
Vocational Training (Duale Ausbildung)
Chapter 9: Language
Overview
Development of the Script
Foreign Influences on German
Gesellschaft fuer deutsche Sprache
Grammar
Important Figures in the Study of the German Language
Institut fuer deutsche Sprache
Language Development in Divided Germany
Language Development in the Third Reich
Orthography and Reforms
Sprachgesellschaften (Language Societies)
Standard and Dialect
Chapter 10: Etiquette
Overview
Etiquette for Major Life Events
Formal and Informal
Greetings and Leave-Taking
Knigge
Punctuality
Regional Clothing
Shopping
Chapter 11: Literature and Drama
Overview
Biedermeier (1815-1830), Junges Deutschland (1830-1850), and Vormaerz (1830-1848)
The Early Modern Period (ca. 1550-1750)
The Enlightenment (Aufklaerung) (1680-1789)
Exile Literature (Exilliteratur)
Expressionism (Expressionismus) and Its Successors (1905-1925)
Literature of the German Democratic Republic
The Middle Ages (ca. 718-1500)
Post-Wall Literature (ca. 1989-2005)
Postwar Literature
Realism and Naturalism (Realismus and Naturalismus) (1848-1899)
Romanticism (Romantik) (1788-1835)
Storm and Stress (Sturm und Drang) (1767-1785)
Turn-of-the-Century Literature (Jahrhundertwende) (1880-1920)
Twenty-First-Century German Literature
Weimar Classicism (Weimarer Klassik) (ca. 1772-1805)
Chapter 12: Art and Architecture
Overview
Architecture
Artists
Bauhaus and Walter Gropius
Carolingian Renaissance
Decorative Arts Biedermeier and Jugendstil
Degenerate Art
East German Art
Kollwitz, Kaethe (1867-1945)
Museums
Naturalism
Chapter 13: Music and Dance
Overview
Bausch, Pina (1940-2009)
Bayreuth
Cabaret
Contemporary Popular Music
Dietrich, Marlene (1901-1992)
German Folk Music and Dance
Musical Periods and Composers
Orchestras
Chapter 14: Food
Overview
Beer
Bread
Cake and Coffee (Kaffee und Kuchen)
Food and Drink in the German Democratic Republic
Food Laws in Germany
German Sausages
Oktoberfest
Regional Specialties
Wine
Chapter 15: Leisure and Sports
Overview
Beckenbauer, Franz (1945-)
Becker, Boris (1967-)
Bundesliga
FIFA World Cups
Graf, Steffi (1969-)
Leisure and Sports in the German Democratic Republic
Olympic Games
Schrebergaerten
Vereine
Witt, Katarina (1965-)
Chapter 16: Media and Popular Culture
Overview
Americanization
Boulevard Press
Fashion Designers
Film
Journalism under the Nazi Regime
Ostalgie
Media Photography
Rundfunkgebuehren
Springer, Axel (1912-1985)
Tatort
Appendix A: A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life of a Server and Cook (Doris O.)
A Day in the Life of a Foreign-Language Secretary (Marianne S.)
A Day in the Life of a Mechatronic Technician (Dieter M.)
A Day in the Life of a Retired Administrator (Eva L.)
A Day in the Life of a Student and Teacher (Irma B.)
Appendix B: Glossary of Key Terms
Appendix C: Facts and Figures
Appendix D: Holidays
Selected Bibliography
Index