Based on two key concepts of political science ("Parlamentarismus and Politische Kultur"), the course (German Parliamentary Politics and Political Culture A & B) aims to give an overview of their key aspects in the German context. Whilst the emphasis is firmly on post-war Germany (Federal Republic of Germany), regular chronological and thematic excursions into German history will be made reaching back to the first German parliament of the Frankfurt St Paul's church in 1848. German's long and unfinished journey from a "Staatskultur" to a model resembling more that of a civic culture ("Zivilgesellschaft") will be traced. The country's special development ("Sonderweg") will be studied by means of comparisons with other democracies, especially the UK. The role, function, changes and key devleopments of the German parliament will be analysed in the context of an increasingly changing world. The direct and indirect constituents of parliamentary politics (government or executive, MPs, parties and party systems, civil service, electorate and citizens, lobbyists and pressure groups, citizens' action groups, constitutional court ie judiciary, the increasing role of the media) will all be examined along with key concepts (federalism, party whip or "Fraktionszwang", working parliament vs debating chamber, parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition). Attempts to reform the parliamentary process will be assessed against the thesis of a parliament in 'terminal decline'. At the end of each session, summaries in German will be attempted.