Free University of Berlin

The years from the founding of the republic in 1919 to the National Socialists' seizure of power in 1933 are among the most politically and artistically eventful in German history. While the young Weimar Republic initially struggled with start-up and legitimization problems, culture experienced a period of prosperity that has lost none of its fascination to this day. Expressionist film, Bauhaus, New Objectivity, and epic theater are just some of the cultural achievements of the Weimar Republic. However, the Golden Twenties came to an abrupt end due to the world economic crisis, which led to the collapse of the republic, which was to bring the National Socialists to power in 1933 and meant the end of all diversity. Using historical sources, various art forms, and scientific presentations, the seminar provides an overview of central aspects of the politics and culture of the Weimar Republic. Starting with an examination of the political background of the founding of the republic, the course deals with the above-mentioned aspects and social phenomena such as the "new woman" type.

This course is intended for students who have no prior knowledge of German. In this class on the A1 level according to CEFR, students learn and solidify basic grammatical structures and systematically build their vocabulary. They train the four skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing in everyday situations and do simple exercises to practice and improve their verbal and written skills. Students are introduced to independent forms of learning and studying. The class covers and reflects on civilization and culture in Germany, Berlin, and at the university as related to everyday life. Topics include personal information, living situation, work, institutions, and traffic.

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed the intermediate level of German and who have a sound knowledge of German. The course deepens student's competence in speaking and writing and expands and refines their vocabulary usage, so that they are able to express and discuss ideas, opinions and information at the academic level. Special attention is given to the consistent use of self-correction. Furthermore, the course helps students to develop effective reading and listening strategies and deepen your knowledge of grammar structures. In addition, students analyze and interpret cultural, political, and historical topics in German-speaking countries and compare them with your own cultural background. Through this course students develop and regularly use new strategies for language acquisition. Students gain an improved ability to choose the right linguistic register for different situations, topics and communication partners. Students are able to lead and participate in academic discussions about certain course-related topics. In addition, students expand and refine their essay writing skills, are able to write, revise, and proofread essays that meet the standards of academic writing.

This course examines the evolution of “Green Germany” through history, up to the present moment. The course studies key moments in the history of the German relationship to nature and the environment, looking at the role of grassroot movements on the one hand and state policy on the other hand. Among the topics discussed are: the movement for nature conservation at the end of the 19th century during industrialisation; the period of National Socialism, when the legal foundations of the protection of the environment were laid; the environmental movement of the 1970s in West Germany; environmental protection in East Germany, and, finally, current debates and conflicts around the conservation of nature and landscape on the one hand and climate protection as well as energy policy on the other hand, looking at government policy and protest movements. The course also examines the specifically German attachment to the forest; accordingly, one session is held in Grunewald, the large forest in Berlin.

This course provides an overview of the development of film in Germany from World War I through the end of the National Socialist period. The course includes examples of popular, experimental, and documentary filmmaking in addition to close readings of works that belong to the canon of German film. The course introduces students to the fundamental elements of film and analysis; fosters a critical understanding of how film functions, both as entertainment and as an art form; and explores the developments within German film in light of specific historical and cultural frameworks. Students become aware of the complicated issues involved in defining unified national cinema, and the inherent pitfalls in ready conceptions of German cinema.

This course introduces students to the politics, governance, and ethics of sustainability and examines major current global challenges divided into economic, political, and environmental issues. Climate change is only one of many environmental issues facing  the planet, but due to its importance and overwhelming impact, it is given the main focus of this course. The course not only looks at the science behind and consequences of global warming, but also studies the two pillars of the global climate governance: the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). The analysis of the UNFCCC process further leads the course to review the Paris Agreement from 2015. The course discusses how effective it can be in dealing with one of the biggest threats of the 21st century and whether it can still achieve its goal of limiting global warming to “well below 2°C/1.5°C”. A special session is devoted to technological, political, social, and economic solutions to environmental issues. 

The course explores questions such as do people – as purported by some – need to replace capitalism and stop economic growth in order to prevent further environmental destruction? Or is there a way to move towards a “green growth," and utilize the benefits of the free market to increase environmental protection? This discussion leads the course to the question of what the future will look like. Will people continue to cross planetary boundaries and endanger the capability of different ecosystems? Or will the 21st century witness a major shift away from fossil fuels and environmental destruction to a more sustainable economy? The discussions in the class are complemented by at least two field trips and possibly a visit of a guest speaker.