Study Abroad | Berlin
Spring 2026: Academics

Course Code: FU-BEST 12

Instruction Language: English

This course provides an overview of the development of public and private architecture in Berlin during the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Following an introduction to architectural terms and an examination of the urban development and architectural history of the Modern era, the Neo-Classical period will be surveyed with special reference to the works of Schinkel. This will be followed by sessions on the architecture of the German Reich after 1871, which was characterized by both modern and conservative tendencies, and the manifold activities during the time of the Weimar Republic in the 1920s. The architecture of the Nazi period will be examined, followed by the developments in the “divided city” East and West Berlin after the Second World War. The course concludes with a detailed review of the city’s contemporary and future architectural profiles, including an analysis of the conflicts concerning the re-design of "Berlin Mitte", Potsdamer Platz, and the government quarter and other more recent developments, i.e. the housing problem and concepts for a more sustainable architecture in a growing city. We will critically examine architectural examples in Berlin by architects like Aldo Rossi, Norman Foster, Frank O. Gehry, Daniel Libeskind, David Chipperfield and many others. As a complement to the lectures, formal field-trips to historically significant buildings and sites constitute an integral component of the course and will give students the possibility of discovering the city in a unique way. The course aims at offering a deeper understanding of the interdependence between Berlin’s architecture and the city’s social and political structures. It considers Berlin as an example for the development of a modern European capital.

Course Code: FU-BEST 19

Instruction Language: English

This course provides an introduction to art and politics in the context of dictatorship, focused on the examples of Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s USSR, Mussolini’s Italy, and Franco’s Spain. In the first part of the semester, students will gain an understanding of art in a democratic society by analyzing the art and architecture of the Weimar Republic in Germany. Official art and architecture in Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union will then be examined, focusing on the works of Albert Speer, Giuseppe Terragni, Arno Breker, and Leni Riefenstahl. Modernist and Jewish artists were persecuted, forced into emigration or deported to concentration camps. Under the Nazi regime in Germany, the exhibition "Degenerate Art" tried to propagate the fascist idea of what art should not be like. Nazi Art Looting and the difficult and long way to Art Restitution will be examined, focusing on the case of the Dutch art dealer und collector Jacques Goudstikker and the “art collector” Hermann Göring. Art also served as a medium to commemorate the Holocaust: the memorials at Buchenwald concentration camp or the Holocaust memorial in Berlin are prominent examples. In the course of the semester, students will get an overview of important European art and architecture movements of the early 20th century. In addition, the course aims at providing a deeper understanding of art under totalitarian conditions. As a complement to the lectures, formal field-trips to historically significant sites and museums constitute an integral component of the course.

Course Code: FU-BEST 4

Instruction Language: English

This course surveys the visual arts in Central Europe from the rise of modernism around 1900 to the present after postmodernism, with a strong focus on German art. It aims to study the individual works closely and interpret them critically by analysing their formal structure, style and technique, iconography etc.; consider the concerns of the artists who created them; and place the works within their wider historical,philosophical, political, social and cultural backgrounds as well as within the international development of the visual arts in Western Europe and – in the second half of the 20th century – the US. A consideration of the theoretical context is of particular importance for the understanding of 20th-century art and its role in society. Thus the course will also introduce students to major philosophical ideas of the period and will focus on various links to the visual art works including reflections on the methods which art historians have found appropriate in studying the objects and ideas which constitute their discipline. Berlin houses some of the most splendid art collections in the world, such as the Neue Nationalgalerie, the Hamburger Bahnhof (with the Friedrich Christian Flick Collection), the Kupferstichkabinett (Graphic Arts), the Brücke-Museum, and the Berlinische Galerie, not to mention the collections of ancient art. In addition, a vibrant scene of art galleries provides new perspectives on contemporary art that has not yet been established in the museums. An essential approach of the course will be to work not only with slides and text sources in class but also with the originals during excursions to different museums. Thus the specific material qualities of the art works discussed in class will be experienced in front of the originals. This can serve as an eye-opener for understanding the reasoning and the artistic procedure of the artists in their respective period.

Course Code: FU-BEST 11

Instruction Language: English

The course examines the issues of intercultural competence, cultural identity and cultural diversity in a European business and marketing context. Various case studies will be considered from strategic, organizational, and marketing perspectives. This course will enhance students’ understanding of the wide variety of intercultural competences necessary to do successful business in Europe. Special attention is paid to the present burning economic and marketing issues of the European Union, business ethics and the standards of Corporate Social Responsibility. It will be highlighted how culture interacts with different types of marketing strategies in order to influence consumers’ satisfaction. Companies in different parts of Europe will be subject to analysis, including their efforts to work successfully across borders.

Course Code: FU-BEST 33

Instruction Language: English

This course provides an introduction to recent developments in Germany, EU and other European countries with regard to a green and sustainable economy. It offers theoretical as well as practical insights based on conceptual discussions, case studies, a field trip, and group work to develop a green business case. The acute awareness of environmental challenges has permeated German and European society, politics and business for decades. The relationship between business and social-environmental issues has, however, changed drastically over the years and has continuously been impacted by the interaction between the German and European Union political levels. Historically, business’ environmental impact has been viewed more negatively as “market failure”. This view is increasingly becoming more differentiated. Nowadays, positive environmental impacts, which might be achievable through sustainable entrepreneurship, circular economy and sustainable core business activities using life cycle assessment principles, are increasingly being acknowledged. This course begins by exploring key concepts for a green, circular and sustainable economy in the German, European and International contexts and then looks at the development that has taken place both at the political level and in the economy in recent time. We then focus on the micro-level, i.e. the businesses themselves: What are the motivating forces behind entrepreneurs’ and businesses’ decision to make a strategic commitment to social and environmental sustainability? How does the use of a risk-based approach and product life cycle assessment contribute to increasing its environmental sustainability? What are the roles and strategies of different types of companies? Why and how do incumbents and start-ups engage in environmental protection in different ways? And how do you evaluate and assess sustainability impacts? Finally, in this more theoretical part of the course, we will look at how sustainable entrepreneurs may encounter market and regulatory barriers related to environmental externalities, path dependencies and lobbying activities by incumbent companies. We will also look at (partial) solutions to such barriers provided by e.g. incubators, business competitions, universities, investors and public funding programs. In the more practical part of the course, we will engage with good practice examples directly from the entrepreneurs themselves. As Berlin has a special reputation for hosting a vibrant start-up scene, we will learn about several cases. Students will also be encouraged to creatively develop their own business ideas and plan the initial steps using the Sustainable Business Canvas. Their business model will then be presented and discussed in the group providing tips for future improvement and possible realization of the ideas.

Course Code: FU-BEST 13

Instruction Language: English

Film is often understood as a primarily visual art form, with the development of novel visual technologies, such as 3D, being heavily advertised and well known to mainstream international audiences. In this course, we will uncover an equally important, yet often overlooked, component of film: music. Over the course of the semester we will examine how music has contributed to the success and evolution of films throughout the history of the film industry in North America and Europe. We will begin with a discussion of the stylistic origins of film music in the Western (and specifically Germanic) classical music tradition, with particular focus on the influence of Richard Wagner. This will be followed by an investigation into the intertwining histories of film and sound-recording technology during their infancy, in which we will examine groundbreaking techniques and works developed in Germany, France, and the United States. Our second task will be to situate the role of film music in some of the most vital movement and moments in film history. For example, we will consider Prokofiev’s music in Soviet Russian war epics, as well as the naturalistic “folk” music present in neo-realist Italian films. In our third unit, we expand our investigation beyond film drama to survey how music and sound are used to construct genre. Each week will focus on one genre—for example, action/adventure, horror, musicals—with detailed discussions of representative works in these genres from a variety of time periods and locations. For instance, during our week on musicals we will consider how the early history of the genre was situated in Hollywood, but quickly sparked an international genre including creative re-workings of the genre such as Les parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) and the truly global production, Dance in the Dark. Our semester will end with an exploration of films that were inspired largely by music (rather than music composed to fit film). This unit will include a week on music documentaries and the construction of realism, as well as avant-garde explorations of the intersections of film and music. As is the case for all of the arts, Berlin is an ideal location in which to study music and film. Thus, we will explore this cultural landscape with specific encounters that will complement our conversations and readings. For example, we will visit a theater that hosts a weekly showing of a “silent movie” alongside a live organist.

Course Code: FU-BEST 5

Instruction Language: English

Never before or again has German film and cinema culture been as vivid and cutting-edge, liberating and socially engaged, experimental, commercially successful and internationally renowned as in the years between 1918 and 1933. The revolution of 1918 and the creation of the first German republic inspired writers and artists, film makers and producers, many of the them Jewish, to try something entirely new. This outburst of creativity ended abruptly in 1933 when the Nazis violently destroyed the democratic state and erected a dictatorship. A hundred years on, what do films from the Golden Age of German Cinema still tell us? Why is it worth studying these old ‘Classics’? How can they enrich our view of history, the arts, political debate? And how do they create knowledge, controversy, excitement? This course centers on close readings of ‘canonical’ works, including examples of popular, avantgarde and documentary filmmaking. For instance, we will study early monster films, psychological thrillers and political propaganda, the invention of the ‘unchained camera’ and modern editing techniques, the creative use of sound and music, stardom and the appearance of the New Woman on screen. The course introduces students to fundamental elements of film and film analysis; it fosters a critical understanding of how film functions both as entertainment and as an art form; it explores the developments within German film in light of specific historical and cultural frameworks. The course assumes no prior knowledge of German, German films, or film theory in general. It is taught in English and all sound-films have English subtitles. Please note: Students will watch each film individually before class, e.g. on the internet, or via specially arranged viewing sessions on campus.

Course Code: German 101

Instruction Language: German

This course is designed for the beginner student with no prior knowledge of German. It aims to develop your communicative competences in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The textbook Akademie Deutsch A1+ and additional material, which is primarily dealing with cultural and historical aspects of German(y), will help you develop your individual language skills. One of the foci of the course is placed on Berlin and its surroundings. Therefore, you will work with authentic material in class and on course-related excursions. By the end of this course, you will be able to deal with various everyday situations in a German-speaking environment and to conduct simple conversations. You will have developed reading strategies that allow you to gather specific information from factual texts, newspaper and magazine articles, and short literary texts. In addition, you will learn to write and revise short texts and, by doing so, assemble metalinguistic knowledge. Finally, you will be able to understand discussions on familiar topics.

Course Code: German 102

Instruction Language: German

This course is designed for beginners with some prior knowledge of German. With the help of the textbooks Akademie Deutsch A1+ and A2+ as well as additional material, which primarily deals with cultural and historical aspects of German(y), you will expand your competences in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course will familiarize you with the daily life and culture of German-speaking countries and enable you to talk about practical issues such as traveling, living, shopping, health, traditions, holidays and the workplace. You will be able to select the main information from simple factual texts. You will get to know more complex sentence structures and be able to express yourself in the present and one past tense.

Course Code: German 201

Instruction Language: German

This course is designed to strengthen and expand your communicative competences in listening, speaking, reading and writing, and to deepen your understanding of German-speaking cultures in the context of Berlin. With the help of the textbook Akademie Deutsch A2+ and B1+ and additional material, which is primarily dealing with cultural and historical aspects of German(y), you will develop your individual language skills. One of the foci of the course is placed on Berlin and its surroundings. Therefore, you will increasingly work with authentic material in class and on course-related excursions. By the end of the course, you will be able to interact in most everyday situations in a German-speaking environment and to conduct simple conversations about familiar topics. You will be familiarized with the German university system, the arts, the media, and current social trends. You will be able to talk about the past and the future, to draw comparisons, to describe persons and things in detail, and to talk about your studies and your plans and wishes. You will have developed reading strategies that will allow you to understand newspaper and magazine articles as well as short literary texts. Through text production, you will also expand on the basics of independent text revision, employing a larger vocabulary and thus enlarging your metalinguistic knowledge. You will be able to understand the main information contained in standard language oral texts.

Course Code: German 202

Instruction Language: German

This course aims to systematically improve your writing and reading competences. It focuses on your acquisition of complex linguistic structures and your consistent self-correction. It will help you further develop effective reading and listening strategies by using texts and listening examples that extend beyond everyday communication. In-class discussions will be based on the weekly reading of literary and non-literary texts that will motivate you to exchange information, ideas, and opinions. In addition, these texts will provide important cultural and historical background information. Grammar revision is just one of the foci of this course; yet, you will expand and deepen your knowledge of German grammar through specific exercises.

Course Code: German 302

Instruction Language: German

This course is designed to optimize your writing and speaking competences, to enlarge your vocabulary, to increase your usage of complex grammatical structures and to make you consistently and successfully employ self-correcting strategies. You will analyze and discuss cultural, political, and historical aspects of German-speaking countries and compare them to your own cultural background. You will be able to coherently talk about a broad range of subjects and to argue for your point of view. You will be able to mostly understand authentic texts and to follow native speakers in normal conversations.

Course Code: German 401

Instruction Language: German

This course aims to deepen your competence in speaking and writing and to expand your vocabulary on a higher language level, with a focus on improving your communicative skills for increasingly academic discussions. The course material will help you acquire relevant and contemporary knowledge about the culture, politics, and history of Germany and other German speaking countries. Furthermore, you will develop effective reading and listening strategies with regard to various literary genres and media. In-class discussions will be based on literary and non-literary texts, enabling you to exchange information, ideas, and opinions on an academic level. You will give a presentation and lead the ensuing discussion in class. Special attention will be given to your paper.

Course Code: German 402

Instruction Language: German

This course will enable you to approximate your competence in speaking and writing German as well as your vocabulary to the native-speaker level. This includes understanding connotations and idioms as well as using stylistically and situationally appropriate forms of communication. Special attention will be given to the improvement of your communicative skills in academic contexts. You will be able to understand lectures and presentations and to participate in academic discussions. Sophisticated authentic texts will help you gain relevant information about the culture, politics, and history of Germany and other German-speaking countries. At the end of this course, you will have acquired effective reading and listening strategies concerning various literary genres and media and will work with larger excerpts of German literature. In-class discussions will be based on literary and non-literary texts, enabling you to exchange information, ideas, and opinions on an academic level. Your final project includes an academic paper, a presentation, and the direction of the ensuing discussion in class.

Course Code: German 101E

Instruction Language: German

This course is designed for the beginner student who has no prior knowledge of German and does not major/minor in German. It will enable you to get familiarized with the German language and to deal with everyday situations during your stay in Berlin. You will develop basic communicative competences in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Your foremost goal is to be able to navigate through your daily activities in a German-speaking environment, such as ordering food in a restaurant, shopping at the grocery store/supermarket, getting around in the city, and conducting simple conversations about yourself (your studies, your hobbies, and fields of interest). The textbook Momente A1 and additional material, which is primarily dealing with everyday situations, will help you develop your individual language skills. One of the foci of the course is placed on Berlin and its surroundings. Therefore, you will work with authentic material in class and on course-related excursions.

Course Code: FU-BEST 7

Instruction Language: English

Berlin is a quintessentially modern city. It was invented as a capital when Germany was unified in 1871 in order to minimize regional rivalries, then reinvented in 1990 to effect the reunification of East and West. This course will explore representations and topographies of Berlin between the first German unification and the second, focusing on the major events and conflicts that have left their mark on this urban landscape: the rise of the modern metropolis, economic depression and social unrest, the two World Wars, Nazism and the Holocaust, and the Cold War and its aftermath — in short, the most disruptive and defining events of the twentieth century. Of central concern will be the conflicting identities, informing the events that have shaped Berlin’s — and the world’s — history: East and West, communist and capitalist, German and Jew, avant-garde and reactionary: these opposing terms have performed a mad dance over the past 140 years, sometimes settling in temporary alliances, sometimes in violent opposition, and always leaving their traces in literature, memory, and urban geography. Berlin is a palimpsest of the discarded ideologies of the twentieth century, both political and aesthetic; it is also one of the premier stages of Europe’s transnational future. Reading its literature and traversing its spaces provides an object lesson in the history of modernism, modernity, and globalization. Part of the course will involve developing strategies for reading and walking through this multi-layered and contradictory landscape. Thus, in addition to discussing the regular reading assignments, we will devote some time to discussing the complex relations between history, text, and memory. Schedule permitting, we will watch relevant films and organize field trips inside and outside of regular class times.

Course Code: FU-BEST 3

Instruction Language: English

In this course we examine the emergence of mainly youth-led resistance and protest movements in post-World War II Europe on both sides of the Iron Curtain, and attempt to understand their origins, their meaning and their effect on the societies in which they occurred. In this course we account for the nature and intensity of post-war European protest movements by examining the historical context of the traumatic impact of recently defeated fascism on the continent, and the division of Europe into spheres of interest reflecting the Cold War world. We examine the post-war socio-economic developments that led to the massive expansion of higher education in Western Europe, promoting a generational divide which saw a radicalized younger generation turn on their parents and other members of the older (Nazi) generation or the so-called system, sometimes in rage and violence, as in the examples of the Red Army Faction in Germany and the Red Brigades in Italy. We compare this to examples in Eastern Europe, where resistance movements against Communist regimes, such as in Hungary, Czechoslovakia and East Germany, were met with deadly force and violent oppression.

Course Code: FU-BEST 6

Instruction Language: English

The course focuses on the classical concept of the totalitarian state developed by Hannah Arendt and others, which takes Hitler and Stalin as the primary models for this uniquely 20th century political system. We will be covering some of the subsequent modifications in the theory of totalitarianism, insights gained from the close examination of historical changes and developments, especially in the former Soviet Empire. Here are some of the questions we will be dealing with: What are the key elements of totalitarianism? What are the fundamental elements of totalitarian rule? What were the official positions and the popular attitudes toward the rulers and such totalitarian atrocities as the Holocaust and the mass imprisonment? What insights into the totalitarian system and mindset can be gained from psychology and psychoanalysis? Under what psychological/social conditions are individuals capable of offering opposition or resistance, as did the German resistance and the “rescuers” of Jews under Nazi domination or dissidents in the Soviet Union? While the manifestations of totalitarianism may now appear to be bygones of merely historical interest, the social psychology of “totalitarian situations” remains acutely important, even in present-day democratic societies. The massacre at My Lai, the obedience experiments carried out by Stanley Milgram, similar events and similar studies, provide evidence of how easily average citizens – and by no means only the “authoritarian personalities” as described by Theodor W. Adorno and Erich Fromm – have the potential of behaving inhumanely in specific situations, when unthinking submission, even to the most questionable orders, seems to be the easiest way to deal with the stress and insecurity of the moment. What follows are the class schedule and the reading assignments for the eleven class sessions. Please be sure to have worked through the readings carefully prior to each session. All the texts identified below are included in the photocopied Reader. In addition to the Reader, there are two pocket books to be read and analysed in a research paper, namely Arthur Koestler’s, Darkness at Noon, London: Vintage 2005 (first published in 1940), and Aldous Huxley’s, Brave New World, New York: HarperCollins 1998 (first published in 1932).

Course Code: FU-BEST 14

Instruction Language: English

German idealism, a movement in German philosophy that began in the 1780s and lasted until the 1840s, has constituted a central element in the development of modern German culture and has left its mark on subsequent philosophical thinking far beyond Germany. It comprises both the promise of the enlightenment period to further the commonwealth of humankind through sciences and humanities but also the seeds of anti-enlightenment thought that blossomed only later on. In this course, we follow the emergence and full deployment of German idealist philosophy from its beginnings in Kant’s theoretical and moral philosophy to Hegel’s grand but fragile synthesis. We also discuss the critique by Schelling and the so-called Young Hegelians (Feuerbach, Stirner), trying to understand the richness as well as the limitations of this tradition of German philosophy. Besides the historical overview, we pursue two systematic lines of inquiry: On the one hand, we will ask how philosophy reacts to a broader cultural network and can be extended to include contemporary critical discussions (feminist, postcolonial, and black perspectives). On the other hand, we will encounter several answers to the question how radical conversion is possible, from evil to good and from dogmatic to critical philosophy (or vice versa). In times of culture wars and deep political divisions, this problem has a persistent relevance.

Course Code: FU-BEST 18

Instruction Language: English

This course provides an introduction to the EU and its policy on environmental protection and natural resources. After a brief recap of the basics of policy-making in the EU, students will learn about the guiding principles and developments within the EU’s environmental policy. Subsequently, the course will cover the major environmental challenges we are facing currently. In the first part of the course (sessions 1-6), we will discuss the functioning of the European Union to be able to better understand the factors influencing European environmental policy and politics. We will also look at the European reaction to climate change and discuss the effectiveness of the main solutions to this global problem: the development of renewable sources of energy and the different ways of pricing carbon. We will also devote a special session to the EU’s role in climate negotiations. The second part of the course (sessions 7-12) will be devoted to different forms of pollution, such as air, noise, water and soil pollution, as well as humanity’s impact on biodiversity loss. In this part of the course, we will also discuss the main prerequisites for making the European transport sector more sustainable and European cities greener and smarter. The last session will be devoted to discussing the challenges and the opportunities for the future of environmental policy.

Course Code: FU-BEST 1

Instruction Language: English

European Politics, and the history and politics of European Integration more specifically, have been characterized by crises. Many contemporary and current observers have highlighted this again and again. During the past two decades, Europe has been shaken by a series of crises at an accelerating pace – from the failed EU constitution and the financial crisis to the migration, Brexit and the COVID crises, and most recently the return of war. Populism has been on the rise and democratic institutions have come under pressure in several member states. Why is Europe so crisis-ridden – and what does this imply for European integration, created to foster democracy, rule of law, peace, and prosperity? Policy-makers and publics have variously responded to these crises. By contrast, we may also ask to what extent have these crises perhaps strengthened European integration, too, even if that feels counter-intuitive at first sight? This course will introduce students to the politics of the European Union (EU), its history, its peculiar institutions and some of its key policies. It will address and explain the – often crisis-ridden – processes of widening and deepening of this unique political entity, drawing on some relevant theorizing. Students will learn how institutions changed and how policies are being made, as well as the role of the different supranational and intergovernmental institutions. Next to the formal institutions, interest representation, lobbying, and the media have shaped processes of policy-making and polity-building, and crisis responses. Special emphasis will be placed on Europe’s most recent crises – the Euro crisis, the migration crisis, Brexit, and the Russian war in Ukraine – and the lingering challenges of the environmental and climate change. The sessions consist of lectures, literature-based discussions, a close reading of sources, in smaller and larger groups. Students will be expected to participate actively, collaborate with other students, and prepare oral presentations. The course also includes a visit to the Europa House near Brandenburg Gate. In addition to a presentation and opportunity to discuss with a speaker from the Commission’s Team Europe, we will visit the exhibition on the European Parliament.

Course Code: FU-BEST 2

Instruction Language: English

Today’s world is beset by a host of problems that no one country appears able to resolve. Environmental problems, such as biodiversity loss, climate change or plastic pollution, appear to spiral out of control. A global pandemic has recently disrupted lives around the world and led to untold suffering and deaths. Global economic inequalities have reached unprecedented levels, and hundreds of millions still struggle with hunger and poverty. Meanwhile, more “traditional” problems have not gone away, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 underlines. Tensions between China and the United States are already commonly described as a “New Cold War”. International institutions often appear powerless to act. This course is designed to introduce students to some of the major problems of international politics, focusing on the ways in which they are – or are not – addressed at the global level. To this end, students will learn key concepts, revisit historical developments and apply major theories from the field of International Relations to better understand why international problems are difficult to resolve. This is often understood as the problem of providing global governance in the absence of a global government. A major role is played here by international organizations (IOs), such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United Nations (UN) or the World Trade Organization (WTO), but also by a host of other transnational actors, including business and civil society organizations. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand major problems of contemporary international politics through the lens of relevant contemporary theories and be able to apply such knowledge critically and confidently as engaged citizens.

Course Code: FU-BEST 22

Instruction Language: English

This course introduces its participants to mass media systems and structures in Germany and Europe and provides them with the analytical tools and background knowledge to assess the ways in which the mass media and politics interact and thus shape each other. We will start with an overview of the different structures of mass media (public/ private) in Germany and selected European countries, including how they have historically developed and particularly which political ideas have shaped the frameworks in which media institutions and individuals operate. At the same time, we will take a critical look at how the media in turn have shaped and are still shaping the ways in which the political process works and presents itself to the public. Historical and current case-studies will help us analyse the manifold points of interaction between media and politics. At the end of the course, students will also have the opportunity to compare European and American media politics and to ask whether there may be trends and influences across the Atlantic (one or both ways) that are shaping today’s politics and mass media on both sides.

Course Code: FU-BEST 8

Instruction Language: English

In order to understand European history of the 19th and 20th century, a focus on Germany is indispensable and unavoidable. It took a long time before the German society transformed into a modern, open and democratic society. The “Revolution of Modernity” (Ralf Dahrendorf) was pushed back before World War I and failed 1933 in >the Weimar Republic. The main antimodernist ideologies that also caused the Shoah and the German war against the “Jewish Enemy” (Jeffrey Herf) were: antisemitism, racism and nationalism. Freedom and rule of law were only brought to Germany by the Allied armies after World War II. Whereas in the first part of the 20th century, Germany attempted to destroy civilization under a blanket of propaganda and by violence, both brutal and coldly mechanistic, today we experience a Germany that presents itself as one partner among equals in the European Union. This new identity follows 40 years of ideological, social, political, and cultural division between two German states – the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Germany now enjoys the political stability, peace and prosperity of a democratic system. The change in German identity and the meaning of identity within the German context offers a fascinating angle >from which to approach German history. From this angle, one gains a new understanding of Germany’s contradictions, catastrophes, abysses, and moral bankruptcies before and after the Shoah, and the miraculous reconstruction after enormous casualties and destruction that resulted from the total war between 1939 and 1945. Within these parameters, the course addresses various topics in German and European 20th-century history: different political ideas, systems and movements, as well as social and cultural developments. We will compare and contrast the German variety of these phenomena with other European varieties. Two major themes are the struggles between democracy and dictatorship, and capitalism and communism, which played out through the 20th century. The course will connect these essentially ideological struggles to the two World Wars and the ensuing "Cold War", to memories of trauma, to the history of everyday life, pop culture and gender, and to the experience of youth and immigrants in Germany. Through analyses of the interconnections and distinctions between all these aspects, the course will provide participants with a better understanding of German society today