Understanding Austrian Society and Culture

Department

International Program

Course unit code

IFLV6508

Number of ECTS credits allocated

4.0

Name of lecturer(s)

Dr. Lichtmannegger Susanne, Mag. Huter Brigitte, Mag. Dr. Sparber Matthias, MES

Mode of delivery

face-to-face

Recommended optional program components

none

Recommended or required reading

Christopher Clark, The Sleepwalkers. How Europe went to War in 1914. London 2013.

De Waal, Edmund, The Hare with Amber Eyes. A Hidden Inheritace. London 2011.

Hamann, Brigitte, Hitler's Vienna. A Dictator's Apprenticeship. Trans. Thomas Thornton. Oxford-New York 1999.

James, Louis, The Xenophobe's Guide to the Austrians, 2004.

Pelinka, Anton, Austria. Out of the Shadow of the Past. Boulder-Oxford 1998.

Schindler, Meriel, The Lost Café Schindler. London 2022.

Steiner, Kurt, Modern Austria. Palo Alto 1981.

Sweeny, Jim, Weidenholzer, Josef, Austria: A Study in Modern Achievement.Aldershot-Brookfield USA - Hong Kong - Singapore - Sydney 1988.

Johnson, Lonnie, Introducing Austria. A Guide of Sorts. Wien 1987.

Beller, Steven, What is Austrian about Austrian Culture?, in: Diem-Wille, Gertraud, Nagl Ludwig, Stadler Friedrich, Weltanschauungen des Wiener Fin de Siècle 1900/2000. Frankfurt am Main-Berlin-Bruxelles-New York-Oxford-Wien 2002, 25-41

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam, Course immanent examination, Participation

Level of course unit

Bachelor

Year of study

Fall 2025

Semester when the course unit is delivered

1

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Develop understanding of Tyrol’s and Austrian culture
Develop intercultural competence

Course contents

The course aims to provide background information and first-hand experiences of the Tyrolean and Austrian culture and way of life: music, literature, art, politics, history, sports, lifestyle, the traditional Viennese coffee-house, Austrian customs and folk art etc. will be explored in form of presentations, class discussion, group work and case studies.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.

Work placement(s)

None