This course is taught in German and will cover a select list of topics relevant to the understanding of today's Germany. We will explore differences and commonalities between Germany and the United States of America. Since in contrast to the US, Germany has gone through a number of system changes, revolutions and constitutional do-overs, our discussion will have to sometimes include events prior to 1945. Humboldt, Bildung und Bologna has nothing to do with Italian sausage but a lot with the German education system. Why is there no easy translation of the term "Wissenschaft" or worse even "Geisteswissenschaft?" Is the slogan "Unter den Talaren Muff von tausend Jahren" still relevant today? Frankfurt, Weimar, Herrenchiemsee - Germany's attempts at democracy (failed and successful): Is Germany's current "Grundgesetz" a tyrant-proof constitution? How do the German "Grundrechte" and the US Bill of Rights compare? How do political parties operate in Germany and why are there so many? Patriotismus, Nationalismus und Rassismus - the Good(?), the Bad and the Ugly: When and how did "German patriotism" develop? Why did it take such a nasty turn? Why did Ancestry.com win the Big Brother Award in Germany in 2019? Die Bonner und die Berliner Republik - a clash of civilizations? How is the role of women viewed in West and East Germany? Why did/do East Germans feel colonized by West Germans? Are the frictions between East and West Germany similar to those between the northern and southern states in the US? What is Olaf Scholz's "Zeitenwende" and why is it more popular in West Germany? Schuld, Schulden und die Schwarze Null - are Germans stingy? How have "Eurokrise " und "Flüchtlingskrise" affected Germany and the EU? What will be Germany's and the EU's Hamilton moment? Can Germany be blamed for BREXIT? Why does Germany's finance minister like to hit the "Schuldenbremse?" How separate are church and state in Germany? Why do Germans have to pay "Kirchensteuer" and how come public schools have to offer "Religionsunterricht?" Do Jewish, Muslim and other "Religionsgemeinschaften" in Germany also have cooperation agreements with state governments? Rheinland und Rheinischer Kapitalismus - what's Karl Marx got to do with it? What do Louisiana and the Rhineland have in common? Does Germany have socialized medicine? Why did it take 23 years of debate before Universität Düsseldorf changed its name to Heinrich-Heine-Universität?