The German Market and the Globalized Economy (309-0-2)
Instructors
Robert Gary Ryder
847/491-8295
Kresge 3-327
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-325: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
This course will give you an overview of the German economy, its underlying structures, its current trends and some of the political and global issues it is facing today. You will also search and apply for a summer internship in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. While the course is designed to introduce students to a variety of German economic and sociopolitical issues, you will also be able to delve deeper into one topic of your choice for your final project. Though content-driven, the course will also further develop your language skills: in-class activities will focus on how to present graphics, statistics, and how to lead informative discussions in a business setting.
Registration Requirements
At least two 200-level courses, one of which must be either 209 or 213.
Learning Objectives
Students will …
• become aware of and be able to articulate concepts in Volkswirtschaft (economics) that are particularly pertinent to the German context;
• read and be able to evaluate authentic material (current newspaper articles, videos and podcasts, etc.) pertaining to the historical and current effects of globalization on the German economy;
• recognize and articulate the difference between American and German constitutional laws (e.g. social market economy) and organizational structures (e.g. unemployment insurance and the tax system) with an emphasis on differentiating the two cultures' behavior toward spending in both the public and private sector;
• be able to research and present statistical evidence of historical and current trends on a variety of economic topics (e.g. employee compensation, consumer spending, governmental relief measures);
• increase their proficiency at an advanced level in the field of German business and commerce through the study of business-specific vocabulary, listening comprehension and advanced writing tasks;
• be able to carefully evaluate an argument's major assertions, assumptions, evidential basis and overall validity by writing a Texterörterung (evaluation of a text) on an opinion piece that they themselves have found and is pertinent to their final topic;
• be able in their final project to present different opinions on a contemporary societal issue or ethical dilemma (that both Germany and the US may share), to elucidate the extent to which German policies and economic measures are attempting to solve that issue/dilemma (in comparison to the US), and to lead a discussion concerning the effectiveness of those attempts and/or alternative solutions
Teaching Method
Lecture
Evaluation Method
Attendance
Class participation
Homework
Presentations
Project, final
Writing assignments
Class Materials (Required)
None
Class Attributes
Advanced Expression