Free University of Berlin

This course provides an overview of the key theoretical perspectives and empirical research examining the relationship between citizens and their representatives in Japan. The course evaluates how and if the interests of various social groups and popular preferences on major issues, such as economic inequality and foreign policy, have been reflected in electoral competition and decision-making. This seminar further delves into the current challenges affecting the quality of democratic processes in Japan, such as corruption, citizens’ disaffection with politics, as well as gender and generation gaps in representation.

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.