curriculum

Germanic Studies: Vienna, Munich, Berlin
German Culture across Europe

June 30 - July 27, 2008

German-Vienna, Munich, Berlin Curriculum

Curriculum

Students must choose two to three courses from the program curriculum. Students must complete at least 8 units while attending the program.

Germanic Culture Courses
Students have the option to select one or both of the following culture courses. Students must complete at least 8 units while attending the program.

German 100C: 20th Century German History and Culture
"Art, War, and Politics" (5 units)
European society experienced tumultuous change during the 20th century due to the extreme impact of two world wars as well as to the more subtle influence of artistic innovations such as abstract and Expressionist painting (which Hitler would call "degenerate art"). This course will explore the how art and war shape and reflect the politics of their day, as we visit places where artists such as Gustav Klimt, Vassily Kandinsky, and Gabriela Münter worked, as well as where Nazi marches and book burnings occurred and the White Rose resistance movement defied fascism.

German 61A: Berlin
(5 units)
Throughout the course of the 20th century and now into the 21st, Berlin has frequently been center stage for not only German history, culture, and politics, but also world events. Scenes from Berlin - such as Jesse Owens sprinting to gold in the 1936 Olympics, Soviet armies defeating the Nazis, Presidents Kennedy and Reagan speaking at the Berlin Wall in the heat of the Cold War, or masses of Germans celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall - belong among the most memorable in history. Today Berlin is home to innovative new architecture and thriving multicultural neighborhoods. This course explores the rich cultural history of modern Berlin through literature, philosophy, the arts, and current politics. Excursions include visits to the Reichstag/ Bundestag, Daniel Libeskind's Jewish Museum, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, former prisons and concentration camps, and walking tours along the former path of the Wall and into diverse neighborhoods. Satisfies GE requirements.

German Language Courses
Students have the option to add one of the following language courses to their course curriculum. Students must complete at least 8 units while attending the program.

German 1: Beginning German (4 units), no prerequisite.

German 4: Intermediate German (4 units), prerequisite: German 3 or equivalent.

German 6: Intermediate German (4 units), prerequisite: German 5 or equivalent.

Optional Courses:
4 quarter units
German 199: Directed Research

For students who wish to complete 12-16 units during the program, they may opt to complete an optional 199. The 199 is an independent research project, academically rigorous, and requires a 15-page paper. The paper is due by September 17. Please note that these dates apply even if you plan to travel after the program ends. There is an additional fee for this optional course. The 199 course may not count toward the 8 required units.

Grading Basis

Grades are typically based on attendance, class participation, journals, a mid-term examination and a final examination. The instructor reserves the right to vary this format.

Schedule

All schedules, itineraries, and group activities are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

Textbooks

You are responsible for purchasing your own textbooks. We strongly suggest you read as much of the text material as possible before you depart. Textbook information will be available at a later date.