Print this page Austria: An Overview of its History and its Heritage

Austria has had a unique history owing to its position as the most easterly of the German-speaking countries. Its long rule over Hungary and some of the Slavic countries led to the assimilation of many influences from these different cultures, adding to its already rich heritage. This course will explore the history of the country, the special position of Vienna and its architecture as the capital of the vast Habsburg Empire, and the work of some of its greatest composers: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert; the artists Maulbertsch, Klimt and the Sezession; the writers Gabriele von Baumberg and Hugo von Hofmannsthal.

This is a Discussion Group course, if you aren’t already part of a group please see ‘Getting Started’ below.

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Author: Robert Forgacs

Course Code: D246

Supplied Material: Course Booklet, CDs + USB

Units & Pricing: 6 units / $78 per person

GETTING STARTED

Start your Group: Anyone can start a Discussion Group – seek out some like-minded friends or put up a notice in your local library, bookshop or workplace. Please note a minimum of 6 people is required to start a new discussion group.

Arrange the Meetings: New groups need to decide where and when to meet, and for how long – whatever best suits members' particular situations.

Run your Group: Choose a secretary to liaise with WEA and your tutor, a Discussion Leader to chair meetings, a reporter to take discussion notes to send to your tutor, and maybe a librarian to look after the books.

Start the Course: Contact WEA Sydney to enrol. Bookings can be made for one year, divided into two terms – Term 1 commences in February, Term 2 in July (Groups may make forward bookings for popular choices). Please indicate in what order your Group wishes to study the courses, if more than one course is booked.