Course catalog

16907

WiSe 21/22: Imaginary Cities

Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Comments

Topic: 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, planned cities (Caliph Al-Mansur's legendary Round City of Baghdad, Brasília) were thought up before they were actually built, and many cities of the imagination, such as Jonathan Swift's magnetic island of Laputa, 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. Can I take this course? 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 Grading: In order to earn 5 ECTS-points you will have to attend class meetings at least 80% of the time; read all assigned texts; participate actively in class discussions; present a topic; and pass the final exam. close

16 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Wed, 14:00 - 16:00 16 Class schedule

Wed, 2021-10-20 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2021-10-27 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2021-11-03 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2021-11-10 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2021-11-17 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2021-11-24 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2021-12-01 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2021-12-08 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2021-12-15 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2022-01-05 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2022-01-12 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2022-01-19 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2022-01-26 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2022-02-02 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2022-02-09 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

Wed, 2022-02-16 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Gregor Wolfgang Hens

Location:
KL 32/123 (Habelschwerdter Allee 45)

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