German 250

 


Course description

 

                        The course, taught in English, with an optional German language component, focuses on the significance of Berlin as Germany’s former and present political and, arguably cultural capital.

                       

                        The history of Berlin parallels in many ways the history of Germany in the late 19th and 20th centuries. We, therefore, will focus on Berlin as a microcosm of German society, exploring the historical, political, literary, architectural and cinematic aspects of this vibrant city. The course will give a chronological overview of Berlin’s past and present (with a glimpse of its future) and provide the historical, political and artistic context of the city’s development.

 

Required Reading:

 

*Burns, R. German Cultural Studies

*Ladd, Brian. Ghosts of Berlin.

On Reserve in the Library:

 

Schneider, Peter. The Wall Jumper. (novel)

Taylor, Ronald. Berlin and Its Culture. (excerpts). 

Large, David. Berlin (excerptes)

Schurer, Ernst. The Berlin Wall. (excerpts).

Friedrich, Otto. Before the Deluge. (excerpts).

Andreas-Friedrich, Ruth. Berlin Underground 1938-1945 (excerpts).

Tusa, Ann. The Last Division. (excerpts).

Kramer, Jane. Culture of Memory (Letters from Berlin). (excerpts).

 

 

 

Requirements:

·        Regular attendance, punctuality and thorough preparations are crucial for the successful completion of the course. More than 3 absences will negatively affect the final grade.

·        Each student will give a short presentation on a film or a reading in class that will focus on pertinent issues for discussion. The typed preparation (e.g. power point) must be handed in and is part of your grade.

·        Papers have to be handed in on time. No excuses will be accepted. Late submission of assignments will result in a lower grade. No electronic submissions, please!

Please type your papers double-spaced and with a 12-point font.

·        Regular quizzes and tests are part of the grade.

·        The mid-term and final will be given in the form of take-home exams.

 

Attendance:

Attendance for this course is crucial for your own progress and the progress of the entire course. We will meet only twice per week and cannot afford any delay in our schedule. If you must miss class for unforeseen and serious reasons, please let me know before class. If you miss more than two classes, 3% will be deducted from your final grade for each additional absence.

You are responsible for knowing the material presented on a given day, even if you are not present in class that day. Please contact a fellow student for that information, assignments, etc.

 

 

Homework:

Assignments are due on the scheduled day. If you have to miss class, make sure you inform me before class by email and leave your assignment in my mailbox in Van Meter (not campus mail).

Homework is an integral part of the final grade. Late assignments will be subject to a 5% deduction per day of delay. I will not accept assignments later than 3 weekdays after the scheduled date.

A short paper is usually due once a week; longer papers as mid-terms and finals. The videos need to be viewed outside of class.

 

Oral presentations:

 Each student will, at one point in the semester, lead a class discussion on a particular film or reading. I ask that you prepare a written version of the presentation and hand it in at the beginning of class. Both the oral presentation and your written preparation will be part of your grade.

 

Request:

Please turn off your mobile phones during classes and screenings.

 

Grading

 

Attendance/Participation                                   20%

Tests                                                                20%

Homework, papers                                           20%

Mid-term                                                          15%

Final                                                                 20%

In-class presentation                                         5%                             

 

NOTE: This is a tentative schedule. Minor changes are quite possible during the semester. The reading assignments will vary, additional material will be provided. You will receive further assignments during the semester. We will schedule occasional video screenings outside class.

 

September 4-September 18                  Topic I: The Berlin Wall

                                                            Reading:

                                                            Ladd, B., p.7- 40.

                                                            Tusa, A., p. 301-341.

                                                            Schneider, P. The Wall Jumper (novel) due in Nov.

                                                           

                                                            Film:

                                                            The Promise

 

September 23- September 25               Topic II: Berlin - Germany’s first capital

                                                            The Wilhelminian period.

 

Reading:

Taylor, R., p. 153-184.

Ladd, B., p.41- 82.

Burns, R., p. 9-50.

 

September 30 – October 23                 Topic III: The Weimar Republic

                                                            German Modernity.

                                                            Jewish Life in Berlin.    

 

                                                            Reading:

                                                            Ladd, B., p. 83-127.

                                                            Taylor, R., p. 210-262.

                                                            Burns, R., p.53-97

Friedrich, O.

                                                                                                                       

                                                            Film:

                                                            Berlin-Symphony of a Great City.

                                                            Metropolis.

MID-TERM due by Tuesday, October 21.

 

October 28 – November 11                 Topic IV: Berlin and the Third Reich

                                                            Nazi propaganda and “degenerate art.”

                                                            Exile and Holocaust.

                                                            German Resistance.

 

                                                            Reading:

Taylor, p. 262-286.

                                                            Ladd, B., p.127 – 174.

                                                            Burns, R., p. 101-144.

Andreas-Friedrich. R.

                                                           

                                                            Film:

                                                            Olympia (clips).

                                                            Wannsee Conference (clips).

                                                            White Rose.

 

November 13 – December 2                Topic V: Divided Berlin – Divided Germany

                                                            Cold War in East and West.

 

Reading:

Taylor, R., p. 287-302.

Ladd, B., p.175 – 216.

Burns, R., p.147-204; p. 257-322.

 

                                                            Film:

                                                            Legend of Rita.

                                                            Wings of Desire.

 

 December 4 – December 11                Topic VI: The New Berlin

Berlin reunited and capital of post-unified Germany

 

Reading:

Ladd, B., p. 217 – 235.

                                                            Burns, R., p.325-347.

                                                            Tusa, A., p.371-385.

                                                            Kramer, J.

 

                                                            Film:

                                                            Run, Lola, Run.

 

FINAL due by Thursday, December 11 (last day of classes).

 

 

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-Copyright 2004, Uta Larkey-