Criteria for Grading the Second Essay --Question 1 – Spring 2003

1) Discuss the manner in which three of the cultural phenomena below were shaped by the patterns of German history. In your answer be sure to point to specific aspects of each movement and explain how they were consequences of developments in the German political system, society, and economy.

A. German Expressionism (painting and/or film)
B. German Dada
C. Neue Sachlichkeit (New Realism)
D The Bauhaus
E. The theater of Bertolt Brecht
F. Cultural Bolshevism (Tucholsky, Dix, Grosz, Heartfield)
G. Nazi Culture

In your answer be sure to make reference to specific examples of each cultural movement that you discuss. And be sure to explain as precisely as possible what it was in German history that actually shaped these works.

Basic operations called for in the question:

1) Demonstrate an understanding of German history before 1933, including society, politics, and economics
2) Demonstrate an understanding of three of the seven given cultural phenomena, using specific examples from each
3) Show how trends in German history influenced each of the selected cultural phenomena

"A" papers will generally:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of relevant trends in German history before 1933, including society, politics, and economics\
• Clearly describe the three movements
• Clearly relate specific aspects of each cultural movement to relevant broader trends of German history
• Offer a clear statement of the thesis
• Provide relevant examples of each cultural phenomenon from the readings, lectures, discussion, the web site, and the media presentations that clearly make that thesis more credible.
• Provide relevant examples of historical developments from the readings, lectures, discussion, the web site, and the media presentations that clearly make that thesis more credible.
• Be well-organized, well-written, devoid of spelling and grammatical errors, and clearly cite sources.

"B" papers will generally:

• Demonstrate an understanding of relevant trends in German history before 1933, including society, politics, and economics
• Describe the three movements
• Relate each cultural movement to broader trends of German history
• Offer a clear statement of the thesis
• Provide relevant examples of each cultural phenomenon from the readings, lectures, discussion, the web site, and the media presentations that make that thesis more credible.
• Provide relevant examples of historical developments from the readings, lectures, discussion, the web site, and the media presentations that make that thesis more credible.
• Be generally well-organized, well-written, and devoid of spelling and grammatical errors

"C": papers will generally

• Make an attempt to answer the question
• Demonstrate an understanding of material covered in this section of the course
• Provide some examples that might be used to defend a thesis

"D" papers will generally:

• Show an understanding of the broad themes of the course
• Communicate this understanding in readable prose
• Demonstrate a basic level of effort