German

The course focuses on mapping and listening to acoustic territories in Berlin. It allows academic research for exploring and understanding the city by sensing aural environments. Structured in theory and practice, the central questions of the course are: Which sonic elements can we encounter in navigating historical and contemporary maps? Which methods of research and practices exist in the act of mapping with sound? How can we generate sound maps? From a transdisciplinary approach, the course reflects the city‘s cultural, social, and political dimensions through analyzing and creating maps by listening. It aims to allow students to explore auditory territories, gain strength, and develop knowledge and individual perspective on cultural studies and urban studies. The mapping methods are practice-based on field recordings, soundwalk, and sound diagramming exercises. The academic readings and discussions introduce the student to the field of sound studies.

This seminar examines in detail the key political institutions and internal processes of the German political system. It takes an in-depth look at the workings of German democracy, the institutions of the state, and the political and legal frameworks that guide political decision-making at the federal, state, and municipal levels. Students engage with the constitutional bodies, the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, discuss the duties and powers of the Federal Government, the Federal Chancellor, and the Federal President, explore the parliamentary system and Germany’s intelligence services, and address questions regarding political communication and decision-making. Drawing on selected historical turning points in post-war German politics, such as the resignation of Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt, students immerse themselves in the history and contemporary reality of the German political landscape. Program: Students acquire a solid understanding of Germany’s political system. They are enabled to critically reflect upon political institutions and processes, comprehend their operational mechanisms, and recognize the challenges and potentials that political actors and institutions have faced throughout the history of the Federal Republic.

Berlin’s rich museological landscape lends itself to in-depth exploration of Germany’s difficult heritage: How are the upheavals of the 20th and 21st centuries, especially, remembered and represented? This course enables students to get to know a number of Berlin museums focusing on Memory and Post-WWII migration using anthropological methods and to critically analyze them within larger theoretical frameworks of “self” and “other” constructions. To explore the role of museums is rendering such constructions visible and therefore debatable. The course consists of classroom sessions and site visits.

This class is tailored to student life in Germany. The course introduces students to German language and culture and encourages and prepares them to speak German in everyday situations. Step by step, students increase their command of spoken and written German by practicing their speaking (including pronunciation), listening, reading, and writing skills. Particular attention is paid to vocabulary and grammar. The A1 level is split into two courses, the A1.1 course covers the first half of the level and the A1.2 course covers the second half of the level.

This course is intended for students who already have some 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, institutions, traffic, traveling, health, weather, and festivities.