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WiSe 20/21: Imaginary Cities. Germania, New Babylon and The City of Dreadful Night

Gregor Wolfgang Hens

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Subject: Just as much as the city is a physical reality we all deal with in our daily lives, it is, and always has been, an idea. From ancient history onwards, certain cities such as Caliph Al-Mansur's legendary Round City of Baghdad were thought up before they were actually built, and many cities of the imagination were never built at all. While the biblical New Jerusalem was meant to inspire awe and glorify God, and Renaissance utopias illustrated a particular type of social organization, the modern imaginary cities that can be found in experimental urban planning, in literature and film offer a critique of contemporary urban life or serve as models for change. Program: We will explore the history of the imaginary city from ancient times to the present, highlight a number of historical futuristic concepts such as Constant's New Babylon and explore ideas ranging from a "velotopia" to the libertarian dream of seasteading. Student presentations will round out the discussion by "visiting" imaginary cities in literature, film, land art and gaming. Please note that the first meeting on November 4 will be conducted online. You will receive an invitation to a Webex meeting if and only if you are signed up for the course through Campus Management. If circumstances permit, we will visit two exhibitions in the course of the semester: urbainable/stadthaltig (Akademie der Künste, Hanseatenweg 10) on Tuesday, November 17, at 5 pm, and Unvollendete Metropole (Kronprinzenpalais, Unter den Linden 3) on December 9. Is this course for you? The course has no prerequisites and is open to students from all areas of study. You should, however, have an interest in various forms of cultural expression, in literature and urban environments. Requirements and assessment: In order to earn 5 ECTS-points you will have attend sessions at least 80% of the time; read all assigned texts; participate actively in class discussions; present a topic; and pass the final exam. close