Course availability and content are subject to change. You should consult the NYU Registrar's web site for the scheduled class times and days.
Click on a course name to see a course description and a sample syllabus from a past semester. (Current syllabi may differ.)
German Language Courses
All students are required to register for a German Language course.
Prof. E. Dischereit
A comprehensive course for beginners. Introduces students to a wide range of communication patterns and real-life situations. The beginner is given a solid language basis for interaction in daily life.
Sample Syllabus
Prof. A. Rebecchi
Designed to permit post-intermediate students to perfect their German skills while in Berlin.
Sample Syllabus
Prof. A. Rebecchi
A continuation of Advanced German: Conversation and
Composition I.
Sample Syllabus
European Studies
Prof. Deubner
Cross-listed with V93.9471 (Sociology) and V53.9471 (Politics)
Provides an overview of the legal and institutional foundations of the European Union before focusing on the question of the EU's democratic legitimacy or lack thereof. The historical process of European unification will be explored and various positions on the EU's democratic deficit and ways to remedy it examined. The roots of the current tensions between Europe and the U.S. and the future of European-American relations will also be discussed.
Sample Syllabus
German Studies
Prof. M. Jander
Cross-listed with V93.9460 (Sociology) and V57.9460 (History)
Examines the rich history of the city of Berlin principally through visits to sites associated with the Prussian, imperial, Weimar, National Socialist and Communist regimes. Explores the cosmopolitan reality of contemporary Berlin through trips to diverse neighborhoods and discussions with community representatives.
Prof. E. Dischereit
Cross-listed with V93.9435 (Sociology)
This course examines contemporary literature of German authors who deal
in one way or the other with questions of ethnic and national identities.
This is a course that places special attention on shifting of identities.
Special Focus: contemporary German-Jewish literature. Studies will be
based on an interdisciplinary program which includes film, music, visual
and performing arts. Students will attend cultural festivals and other
important events at venues located throughout Berlin. The program will be
tailored made to suit each student's particular interests: it can be held
in English or bilingually, depending on students' German skills.
Prof. R. Khan
This course examines the works of Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud, three German thinkers who pioneered radically different and influential interpretations of modern life. The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the central ideas and texts of each author, and construct dialogues on topics such as the modern subject, history, art, interpretation, religion, politics and morality. While taking account of the historical complexities and stylized conventions of each text, the course will highlight the recurrent themes that animate these influential writings and continue to shape our contemporary understanding of society and individual. The seminar not only delves into the origins of these influential traditions of modern Western thought, but also underscores their relevance in contemporary social thought and humanities.
History
Prof. M. Jander
Cross-listed with V93.9133 (Sociology) and V53.9133 (Politics)
Explores the society, politics and culture of contemporary Germany through lectures, readings and visits to institutions and organizations around Berlin. Examines the historical developments in the 20th century (failed democratization, National Socialism, Communism, postwar reconstruction, reunification) that have shaped today's Federal Republic. Germany's place within a united Europe will also be discussed.
Prof. M. Jander
Cross-listed with V93.9460 (Sociology) and V51.9193 (German Studies)
Examines the rich history of the city of Berlin principally through visits to sites associated with the Prussian, imperial, Weimar, National Socialist and Communist regimes. Explores the cosmopolitan reality of contemporary Berlin through trips to diverse neighborhoods and discussions with community representatives.
Metropolitan Studies
Prof. R. Isensee
Cross-listed with V93.9935 (Sociology)
This course explores Berlin and New York in historical and comparative perspective by examining their shared status as global cities and centers of knowledge production. The course begins by looking at the formation of the European and American city as knowledge centers in historical perspective, particularly in terms of the influence of German educational philosophy and practice on 19th century American institutions. Next, the course examines the shifting aims and institutional paradigms of education in Europe and the United States since the 20th century, focusing especially on the emergence of the knowledge relationship between Berlin and New York. Through field study projects we wil investigate public and private educational institutions in Berlin in terms of their impact on the politics, economy and culture of the city. Finally, we look at 21st century knowledge production, and the functions of global knowledge cities like Berlin and New York in transnational and international perspective.
Politics
Prof. R. Khan
This course provides a broad survey of the main traditions of
classical, modern, and contemporary political thought in the
West. The primary focus will be placed on examining the
historical antecedents of some of the foundational concepts
and practices that distinguish our political behavior and
institutions today. Some of the critical issues discussed
include the divergent views of human nature and ideal society,
the structure of authority and sovereignty, the rise of
political morality, the defense of liberty, equality and
justice, and different models of democratic practice.
Sample Syllabus
Prof. M. Jander
Cross-listed with V57.9133 (History) and V93.9133 (Sociology)
Explores the society, politics and culture of contemporary Germany through lectures, readings and visits to institutions and organizations around Berlin. Examines the historical developments in the 20th century (failed democratization, National Socialism, Communism, postwar reconstruction, reunification) that have shaped today's Federal Republic. Germany's place within a united Europe will also be discussed.
Prof. Deubner
Cross-listed with V42.9471 (European Studies) and V93.9471 (Sociology)
Provides an overview of the legal and institutional foundations of the European Union before focusing on the question of the EU's democratic legitimacy or lack thereof. The historical process of European unification will be explored and various positions on the EU's democratic deficit and ways to remedy it examined. The roots of the current tensions between Europe and the U.S. and the future of European-American relations will also be discussed.
Sample Syllabus
Social and Cultural Analysis
Prof. R. Isensee
Cross-listed with V93.9935 (Sociology)
This course explores Berlin and New York in historical and comparative perspective by examining their shared status as global cities and centers of knowledge production. The course begins by looking at the formation of the European and American city as knowledge centers in historical perspective, particularly in terms of the influence of German educational philosophy and practice on 19th century American institutions. Next, the course examines the shifting aims and institutional paradigms of education in Europe and the United States since the 20th century, focusing especially on the emergence of the knowledge relationship between Berlin and New York. Through field study projects we wil investigate public and private educational institutions in Berlin in terms of their impact on the politics, economy and culture of the city. Finally, we look at 21st century knowledge production, and the functions of global knowledge cities like Berlin and New York in transnational and international perspective.
Sociology
Prof. R. Isensee
Cross-listed with V18.9680 (Metropolitan Studies)
This course explores Berlin and New York in historical and comparative perspective by examining their shared status as global cities and centers of knowledge production. The course begins by looking at the formation of the European and American city as knowledge centers in historical perspective, particularly in terms of the influence of German educational philosophy and practice on 19th century American institutions. Next, the course examines the shifting aims and institutional paradigms of education in Europe and the United States since the 20th century, focusing especially on the emergence of the knowledge relationship between Berlin and New York. Through field study projects we wil investigate public and private educational institutions in Berlin in terms of their impact on the politics, economy and culture of the city. Finally, we look at 21st century knowledge production, and the functions of global knowledge cities like Berlin and New York in transnational and international perspective.
Prof. M. Jander
Cross-listed with V57.9133 (History) and V53.9133 (Politics)
Explores the society, politics and culture of contemporary Germany through lectures, readings and visits to institutions and organizations around Berlin. Examines the historical developments in the 20th century (failed democratization, National Socialism, Communism, postwar reconstruction, reunification) that have shaped today's Federal Republic. Germany's place within a united Europe will also be discussed.
Prof. D. Kumitz
Examines the nature of sociological theory and the value and problems of theorizing. Provides a detailed analysis of the writings of major social theorists since the 19th century in both Europe and America such as Marx, Tocqueville, Durkheim, Weber, Parsons, Foucault, Bourdieu, Luhmann and Habermas.
Prof. M. Jander
Cross-listed with V57.9460 (History) and V51.9193 (German Studies)
Examines the rich history of the city of Berlin principally through visits to sites associated with the Prussian, imperial, Weimar, National Socialist and Communist regimes. Explores the cosmopolitan reality of contemporary Berlin through trips to diverse neighborhoods and discussions with community representatives.
Prof. C. Ludwig
Cross-listed with V43.9651 (Art History).
The course explores the history of Central European
architecture from the Middle Ages to the 20th century on the basis of the architectural history of the city of Berlin. We will examine buildings from different epochs; why were they built the way and
in the place we find them today; how were they planned, and for whom; what were they supposed to signify, and which story do
they tell us today; in which way did and do they shape the
public space, or the way we live; how have they been adapted for
altered purposes, and are they capable of serving yet another purpose if necessary? The course will consist mainly of field
trips to sites in and around Berlin.
Prof. Deubner
Cross-listed with V42.9471 (European Studies) and V53.9471 (Politics)
Provides an overview of the legal and institutional foundations of the European Union before focusing on the question of the EU's democratic legitimacy or lack thereof. The historical process of European unification will be explored and various positions on the EU's democratic deficit and ways to remedy it examined. The roots of the current tensions between Europe and the U.S. and the future of European-American relations will also be discussed.
Sample Syllabus
Prof. C. Ludwig
Cross-listed with V43.9850 (Art History).
Explores the changing social and historical
significance of Berlin's famous Museum Island through an
examination of its origins, architecture, collections and
fate under six German political regimes. Will include
regular visits to the Museum Island as well as to the rival
Kulturforum.
Sample Syllabus
Prof. E. Dischereit
Cross-listed with V51.9298 (German Studies)
This course examines contemporary literature of German authors who deal in one way or the other with questions of ethnic and national identities. This is a course that places special attention on shifting of identities. Special Focus: contemporary German-Jewish literature. Studies will be based on an interdisciplinary program which includes film, music, visual
and performing arts. Students will attend cultural festivals and other
important events at venues located throughout Berlin. The program will be
tailored made to suit each student's particular interests: it can be held
in English or bilingually, depending on students' German skills.
If you are an advanced German student or have other academic questions, please contact nyu.in.berlin@nyu.edu.
