LFU:online

Understanding of questions relating to the philosophy of science through reading and discussing suitable classical or innovative texts of historiography resp., knowledge of developments in research and criticism of paradigms. 

The former Austrian chancellor Bruno Kreisky once called Claus Gatterer (1924-1984) "one of the eminent journalists of the Second Republic". By writing sociocritical reports for major newspapers, radio- and TV-Stations, Gatterer shaped the groundwork of Austria's democratic media landscape. In his scientific publications he was one of the first who analysed Austrian and Italian History from a transnational perspective. Gatterers autobiographical novel "Schöne Welt, böse Leut” (Nice world, bad people) is a literary work-up of his childhood experience in South Tyrol under Fascist and Nazi dominion.

In this course selected subjects of Gatterers oeuvre will be deepened (reappraisal of the NS-History; ethnic and social minorities in Italy and Austria, themes and methods of “Public History”). Simultaneously the relevance of the different types of texts and media formats for historical science will be discussed.

Course with continuous performance assessment: attendance at all sessions, readings are to be prepared in advance for class discussion, short written assignments.

Selected texts and documentary films of Claus Gatterer, completed by additional texts. For an overview on the works of Claus Gatterer: https://literaturtirol.at/lexikon/184

Positive assessment of compulsory module 1. The respective proof ought to be produced until the end of October 2021.