16843
Seminar
SoSe 15: Reading and Writing the City: Berlin
Susanne Scharnowski
Additional information / Pre-requisites
Englischkenntnisse: B2 - C2 (CEF)
Comments
The city has often been described as a 'text' that, like a book, has to be read and interpreted, or even as a 'palimpsest' with multiple layers of text from different historical periods. But what kind of knowledge and what kind of observational skills does it take to 'read' a big city that has a complex history and an equally complex social structure?
In this course, we will look at exemplary approaches to reading and writing the city of Berlin (in text and film); we will analyse and discuss different points of view from which the 'text' of the city can be perceived and deciphered. Furthermore, students will engage with the cityscape (e.g. its architectural features or the spatial organisation of public spaces etc.) and develop their own readings and descriptions of specific aspects or neighbourhoods of Berlin.
The course aims to develop students' literacy in reading complex urban environments and reflection on concrete experiences and to facilitate the critical analysis of the 'text' of the city and of the ways in which it is represented in media, popular culture and tourism. The course materials will be made available as a digital course reader.
Requirements/Assessment: Along with regularly attending the seminar and studying the course materials, students should produce some written work (approx. 800 words). Additionally, students will sit a written examination (July 15, 90 minutes).
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14 Class schedule
Regular appointments
Wed, 2015-04-15 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-04-22 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-04-29 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-05-06 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-05-13 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-05-20 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-05-27 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-06-03 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-06-10 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-06-17 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-06-24 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-07-01 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-07-08 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2015-07-15 10:00 - 12:00