Humboldt University Berlin

In this class the different techniques toward urban gardening are analyzed through excursions to different gardens throughout Berlin, as well as texts from experienced gardeners from various backgrounds. This class is transdisciplinary so it encompasses viewpoints from a wide range of people with a wide range of disciplines. The course offers an opportunity to situate questions of planetary change through the study of Berlin as a complex ecosystem, gaining in-depth perspectives through its urban gardens and their human and non-human communities. The course explores the range of disciplines that inform the field of ecology ranging from environmental, to mental and social, as well as spiritual. From plants to political dynamics, activism to artistry, the urban gardens studied reflect the diverse topography of Berlin's ecology. The course offers skills, insights, and questions to develop ecological thinking, embracing the wide range of cultural and academic backgrounds that students contribute.

This course traces the emergence and development of Islamic theology in Germany and Europe to analyze its dynamics, look at Muslim academic traditions, and learn more about the academic field at universities. The lecture is divided into three core areas: 1) Islamic theological studies in Germany and Europe (focus: German-speaking Europe) and the relationship between Islamic theology and Islamic studies; 2) Islamic sciences: their context of origin and their categorization; 3) Introduction to Islamic scientific disciplines: Koranic studies, Hadith science, law, systematic theology, philosophy and mysticism.

This advanced German conversation course focuses on presenting, speaking in front of an audience, speaking with each other in a group. The course objective is to improving oral expression. Each course participant will give a presentation on a current topic of general interest.

This course for foreign students is designed to improve students’ language skills and vocabulary. Areas of focus include grammar, conversation, writing exercises, and listening and reading exercises. In addition, excursions are planned to introduce students to German culture. Students work with cultural and historical topics in everyday situations and broaden their intercultural knowledge. They are introduced to independent learning methods and familiarize themselves with typical learning situations at German universities. In this class at the B2 level according to CEFR, students consolidate their knowledge of grammar and study complex structures. They systematically expand their vocabulary and include abstract terms and topics. The course includes exercises to improve oral and written communication such as doing research, structuring, presenting, and discussing. Writing skills are enhanced through different types of academic texts and handouts. The B2 level is split into two consecutive courses, the B2.1 course covers the first half of the level and the B2.2 course covers the second half of the level.

This course for foreign students is designed to improve students’ language skills and vocabulary. Areas of focus include grammar, conversation, writing exercises, and listening and reading exercises. In addition, excursions are planned to introduce students to German culture. Students work with cultural and historical topics in everyday situations and broaden their intercultural knowledge. They are introduced to independent learning methods and familiarize themselves with typical learning situations at German universities. In this class at the A2 level according to CEFR, students review and learn basic grammar points and are systematically introduced to basic vocabulary. All four skills are developed and applied to everyday situations and some study-related situations.

This course examines the dualism in urban planning between East and West Berlin chronologically. Since the division of the city into West and East, demonstrating the power of capitalism and socialism respectively was central to urban planning. Shortly after the war, the solution of obstacles to urban development proved vital, but the ideological usability of economic strategies and architectural prototypes soon became an essential concern of urban redevelopment policy of both nations. The course discusses and analyzes strategies and models of financing and commercialization of urban planning, cultural contexts, living and dwelling models, and political strategies and narratives. Students present in seminars and participate in two excursions in order to trace the diverse targets and demands of capitalist and socialist urban planning.

The seminar uses the example of astronomy to explore the question of whether and how vision and evidence interact with astronomical modeling. Does what we see depend on the particular cosmology? The aim is to discuss this question across epochs and to analyze it from prehistoric, Mesopotamian, ancient, and Islamic astronomy to the Renaissance and early modern times to modern times.

In this course students read a full ethnography such as BELONGING IN TWO BERLINS by John Borneman. Students then do an ethnographically grounded research project in contemporary Berlin. Finally, the research is developed into a strong data driven argument. Attention is then paid to anthropological research methods, ethnographic writing as a scholarly genre, and to the city as a lively, deeply historical place.