2nd Annual Honors/CAS City-As-Text Course: , Germany HONR 3023: Contemporary Cultures of the Western World Cross-listed with AS 3080: International Experience Class meets Fridays, 10:30am-11:20am (201 Old Central) Office Hours: Friday, 11:30-12:30 and by appointment

Class travels to Berlin over Spring Break (March 14-22, 2020) open to all Majors; No prerequisites Earn upper-division Gen Ed credit: “H” Humanities and “I” International (pending approval)

Overview: In this three-credit hour course (taught by Dr. Frohock, Professor of English and Associate Dean of the Honors College, and assisted by Dr. Steph Miller, English Department and Teaching Assistant Professor in Honors), we will explore the rich culture of Berlin, Germany, through reading, discussion, and international travel. This class will use a City-as-Text curriculum, which means the contemporary culture of Berlin will be our object of study, and will emphasize experiential learning and reflective writing. We will explore contemporary life in Berlin through reading, discussion of topics including globalization and immigration, and numerous excursions and activities aimed at developing interdisciplinary understanding. There are no prerequisites, and the class is open to all majors.

Berlin is an exceptionally diverse city at the heart of German history and contemporary life and culture. It has been the capital of Germany since reunification; it was profoundly shaped by the Nazi regime and World War II bombing; and it has a fascinatingly rich cold-war history. Today, it is the home of Germans and immigrants from all over the world; it is renowned for its arts culture, its diverse neighborhoods, and its start-up-friendly business environment.

General Education Learning Objectives: This course carries General Education Humanities (H) and International (I) designations. What this means:

• It is appropriate for students of all majors and does not require prior knowledge or study of the subject matter.

• Using a City-As-Text curriculum, the course provides ample opportunities for analyzing and interpreting the ideas, aesthetics, and values that form and inform society. Class assignments and meetings will focus on experiencing and analyzing the physical and cultural environments that make up the city of Berlin, and thinking through the way in which these environments represent and construct identities. We will also read and discuss literary material about Berlin as a way of understanding its cultural identities, and we will take into consideration powerful historical events that are crucial for understanding the present city.

• This course will emphasize how ideas, events, arts, and texts shape diverse individual identities. To give one example, the dividing of Berlin into two halves with a physical wall was an event that deeply marked its identity politics to the present day. The Nazi persecution of Jews and other minorities also left an indelible imprint on cultural identity in the city. Berlin today is an exceptionally cosmopolitan city, and we will explore and develop understanding of how these diverse communities interact and contribute to its current vitality.

• During the travel component, students will practice observing closely, listening carefully, and navigating a foreign city with confidence. This will require good communication skills and practical problem-solving abilities. Students will get to experience, understand, and develop respect for diverse people and perspectives. Globalization, immigration, and various political ideologies will serve as important frames of reference as we learn about life in Berlin.

• Students will have ample opportunity for critical thinking and writing in this course. Students will give presentations, write reflective essays, and write a substantial research paper. These assignments are designed to teach students how to engage in cultural analysis with sound critical thinking and writing skills. Students receive feedback on writing assignments.

Book Order: title Author/editor Original Date Edition isbn cost Pub

The Berlin Stories Christopher 1945 2008 New Directions; 978-0811218047 15.97 (256pp): a semi- Isherwood Reissue edition autobiographical account of a young man living in Berlin and experiencing its vibrant subcultures in the years leading up to the rise of Hitler. The Wall Jumper (144 Peter Schneider 1982 1998 U Chicago 978-0226739410 23.00 pp). Tells the stories of Press of people who crossed the wall illegally for various purposes. Stasiland: Stories from Anna Funder 2003 2011 Harper 978-0062077325 15.99 Behind the Perennial; (288 pp) This book Reprint edition concerns life in East Berlin after the Wall fell in 1989. It is based on interviews of people who cooperated with the East German authorities and those who resisted, and considers the uneasy cultural state that emerged after the collapse of the DDR (East German Republic). Book of Clouds (209 Chloe Aridjis 2009 2009 Grove Press, 978-0802170569 14.00 pp) focuses on the Black Cat experience of a Mexican girl living in Berlin. Key themes include Berlin’s contemporary immigration, cosmopolitanism, and how Berlin’s dark past contributes its present culture.

Travel Our travel to Berlin will occur during Spring Break. During our visit to Berlin, we will go on daily excursions to experience life and culture in Berlin. These sites will be selected to cover historical and contemporary aspects of Berlin culture, and may include:

• Reichstag (Parliament). Berlin is the capital of reunited Germany, and we will plan a visit to the Reichstag to tour and learn the fundamentals of how the German people organize themselves socially and politically. We will learn how contemporary Germany is connected internationally and globally through the EU and NATO alliances, for instance. We will also learn about the politics of recent refugee immigration that affects Berlin and Germany generally.

• The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. This memorial will inform us about how profoundly the Third Reich and its political ideology impacted Berlin and shaped its contemporary politics. We will also learn about and discuss controversies related to this memorial’s design and ways locals and tourists have interacted with the location, as we experience this memorial for ourselves.

• Topographie des Terrors Museum (): this museum contains information and exhibits that will teach us about the political ideology and systems of oppression that led to the atrocities of the Third Reich during World War II. We will learn about the work of the Gestapo and the SS officers who carried out the orders of the fascist regime. This history informs contemporary German and Berlin consciousness and culture in profound ways, and we will also consider this history in connection with the rise of nationalism in 21st century Germany.

• Berlin Wall Memorial: We will learn about the history of the Berlin Wall by visiting the Wall Memorial, where we can view remnants of the wall, a documentary film, and see exhibits about its history. We will learn about Cold War political ideologies and the systems of oppression in place in former East Berlin. We will also visit the East Wall Gallery, a section of remnant wall painted after the fall in 1989. Understanding the history of the Wall is indispensable to understanding contemporary Berlin and understanding the cultural identities and divides that persist thirty years later.

• Museum. This museum focuses on the history of the Berlin Wall and peoples’ many desperate and often ingenious attempts to escape from East to West. Learning about these moving stories during a grim period in history will provide invaluable material for understanding the real human impact that the physical division of the city created and continues to influence.

• Schloss (): this palace exemplifies the of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century aristocratic luxury that informed Germany’s political system of the past. The palace models Baroque architecture and excess, and the extensive gardens demonstrate the enormous wealth and ostentation of the royalist system of government out of which contemporary Germany evolved. Experiencing the palace helps students understand the scale of power and privilege that Frederick the Great enjoyed as the ruler of Prussia before democracies emerged across Europe.

• Berlin Neighborhoods or Districts: A mainstay of City-As-Text courses is the exploration and “reading” of city districts or neighborhoods. Students will be assigned to go to different parts of the city, finding their own way using public transportation, to do investigations and reports on the characteristics, resources, and experiences in particular parts of town. Things to observe include: evidence of cultural diversity; nature of shops and/or residences; public art and memorials; greenspaces; ease of access and transportation to and within; socio-economic indicators; and activities of people in the area. Students are encouraged to have conversations with people they meet while exploring city districts. Neighborhoods include: Mitte, , Neukölln; ; and Wedding.

• As a City-As-Text course, we will take every moment of being in Berlin as an occasion to learn about its cultural features. Students will be encouraged to interact with locals, start conversations, and learn about various perspectives directly from the diverse mix of people who reside in Berlin today. Our historic hotel, our use of the public transportation system, our interactions with shopkeepers and servers, and the meals we eat will all be forms of experiential learning that we can use to enrich our understanding of a culture external to the United States. Understanding life and culture in Berlin through these ordinary means will be as enriching as the museums and memorials we visit.

• Students will have one free day to explore in groups of three or more city locations (museums, neighborhoods, art galleries, the zoo, etc.) of their choice.

Requirements and Assignments: (More detail on individual assignments will be given in class.) participation:

When we are in Stillwater: This class meets Fridays, 10:30am-11:20am, throughout the semester. Regular class meetings will be used to discuss and reflect on class readings about Berlin, which will provide insights into historical and contemporary aspects of the city. Carefully read each day's literary selection prior to class, annotate your texts, and write down questions and observations, and be prepared to share your ideas. Our class time is limited and we have a lot to cover, so be ready to jump right in!

In addition to each scheduled literary reading, please find a current news item of choice on a contemporary issue of import in Berlin more broadly to read on your own. You can find items in , for example, which is available online and can be read in 30 languages, covering topics such as immigration, city planning, cultural diversity, and cultural identity in a city that is celebrating 30 years of reunification. I will call on several of you each class to give a brief report on the article you read; you don’t need to write anything, just tell your classmates informally about what you learned!

We will also use class meetings prior to Spring Break to cover logistics of traveling to and within Berlin, such as learning to navigate the U-Bahn (subway) system.

When we are in Berlin: As a study-away, City-as-Text class, your open-minded and enthusiastic participation is essential!! We will have daily excursions and activities, and our experiences in Berlin will become the basis of discussions and writing assignments. It is essential that you observe closely, ask questions, and take notes about what you encounter. We will do some excursions as a large group, and you will also work in small teams, which will present observations and reflections to your classmates in evening meetings. Your participation also covers matters such as being on time for meals and excursions, listening attentively to tour guides, and following instructions and guidelines for professional behavior.

During the semester, you will receive five participation grades (weeks 1-4; weeks 5- 8; week in Berlin; weeks 9-12; weeks 13-16). During our travel to Berlin, you will receive a daily participation grade.

Photo Album (7 submissions of 1 page each): We will work collaboratively on the creation of a class photo album using Google Slides (through Canvas). Each student will contribute one page to the album on each day of travel. Your page can be arranged as you wish, and may include between two and four photos. I prefer that you appear in at least one of the photos, and you are also welcome to include classmates as well (with their permission). Additionally, be sure to include captions for the images with enough information so people viewing the album know where we are and what we are doing. This is an informal assignment but should be engaging and clear, as it is for a public audience. You can share the URL so people at home can follow our trip! Note: you will need to sign up for a google account, if you don’t already have one.

Reflective Essay (4-5pp): You will write an essay based on our travel to and excursions in Berlin. These essays will bring into focus elements of our daily excursions and activities, as we explore life, landscape, and culture. You will select key moments, conversations, encounters, or objects that that made an impact on you and caused you to think and reflect about life in the contemporary city. If you encounter cultural practices or environments that are unfamiliar, you might explore how that experience challenges or changes your own cultural assumptions. This essay will both vividly narrate and reflect on the meaning of your experiences. The essay must also contain 2-4 photos that are relevant to your narrative. This writing should be carefully written and revised. You will receive a peer review and my written feedback on this assignment.

Longer Research Essay (6-7 pages). At the end of the course, you will select a topic related to culture in Berlin for more sustained treatment. It may be an area of study closely related to your academic major, or it may be an interest of yours you want to pursue; it is possible to combine cultural and physical studies in various ways (architecture speaks to culture, for instance, as do things like environmentalist initiatives, etc.). There are many possible topic areas, including issues in contemporary German politics; immigration; environmentalism; or the arts, to name a few. Berlin is a very cosmopolitan city, so there are ample opportunities for addressing aspects of cultural diversity or hybridity as well. I will also consult individually with each of you about your essay plans and give you feedback on a draft prior to the due date.

Final Exam Presentation: you will present your final research to the class at the end of the term. These presentations will follow a 3-minute thesis format and should be carefully structured and timed, with visual media to support.

Reading reflection on Berlin Stories: You will write a one-page reflection (double spaced) on Isherwood’s Berlin Stories. Write about how the book gets you thinking— raises questions, engages you, gives you insights—into life and culture in historic Berlin. In your discussion, you can reference any aspect of the book’s ideas, characters, setting, use of literary description and language, etc. This is exploratory writing; it should be clearly and cleanly written, but can be reflections on the reading, rather than a formal argument.

One-page reflection on news about Berlin: You will write a one-page (double spaced) reflection on what you learned by reading news articles about Berlin. Pick a theme or two (though it may encompass multiple articles), and explain how you have gained understanding and insight into Berlin’s contemporary life and culture through your independent reading. You might also include a comment or two on how you want to follow up on your knew knowledge when we travel to Berlin. This is exploratory writing; it should be clearly and cleanly written, but can be musings on the reading rather than a formal argument.

Grading Breakdown: Assignments Total Value class participation (5 25% segments) Reflection on literature 5% Reflection on Berlin 5% news Photo Album Postings 5% Reflective Travel essay 25% (4-5pp) Final research essay 30% (6-8pp) Final presentation 5% Total 100% course grade: <60=F; <70=D; <80=C; <90=B; 90-100=A

Participation Grades: A—excellent participation in all areas: reading, class discussion (listening and speaking), attendance B—good participation in all areas C—satisfactory participation in all areas D—satisfactory participation in only some areas F—participation unsatisfactory in several areas, or excessive absences

Grade Descriptions: A excellent, insightful work, commanding attention in its fulfillment of requirements. B work of good quality, intelligent, organized. C work of average quality that fulfills all of the requirements of the assignment in a satisfactory manner; may be characterized by oversimplification, repetition, underdevelopment, minor composition errors. D work of below average quality; may be characterized by illogical structure or inadequate development. F work that in some prominent way fails to fulfill the requirements of the assignment. Plagiarism earns an F.

Further Notes and Policies:

• Writing assignments: Your writing assignments must be typed and double- spaced, and you must provide a word count. Essays that do not meet the minimum length requirement or are improperly formatted will be returned ungraded, to be completed and turned in late. Late papers will be reduced by 5% of the total points possible for each day late, including weekends.

• Class attendance and promptness are required.

• According to OSU policy on Academic Integrity, plagiarism is “presenting the written, published or creative work of another as the student’s own work. Whenever the student uses wording, arguments, data, design, etc., belonging to someone else in a paper, report, oral presentation, or other assignment, the student must make this fact explicitly clear by correctly citing the appropriate references or sources. The student must fully indicate the extent to which any part or parts of the project are attributed to others. The student must also provide citations for paraphrased materials.” Plagiarism in this course will result in a grade of F! All cases will be reported appropriately. For more information, see academicintegrity.okstate.edu.

• Students must complete all course assignments in order to receive a passing grade.

• No late work will be accepted after the final project due date.

• Smart phones, laptops, and personal electronic devices may be used only for appropriate class-related purposes.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, each student with a disability is responsible for notifying the University of his or her disability and for requesting accommodations. If any member of the class thinks that he/she has a qualified disability and needs special accommodations, he/she should notify the instructor and request verification of eligibility for accommodations from the Office of Student Disability Services, 315 Student Union (sds.okstate.edu.) Please advise the instructor of such disability as soon as possible and contact the Student Disability Services to ensure timely implementation of appropriate accommodations. Faculty have an obligation to respond when they receive official notice of a disability but are under no obligation to provide retroactive accommodations.