Radical Bodies, Radical Desires: Sex and Gender in Weimar Berlin - Detailseite

The Weimar Republic (1918-1933) was a period of remarkable cultural transformation and social upheaval in Germany. Against the backdrop of economic and political turmoil, gender and sexual nonconformity flourished in Berlin and other urban centers, challenging traditional norms and giving rise to vibrant LGBTQ+ communities. This interdisciplinary course examines how gender and sexuality were experienced, represented, and contested in Weimar-era Germany. Drawing on a diverse array of primary sources - including theater, visual art, literature, film, and theoretical texts - we will explore how marginalized individuals and communities navigated, expressed, and politicized their identities. Key topics will include the emergence of sexual science and the conceptualization of the "third sex"; the proliferation of queer spaces, subcultures, and social movements in 1920s Berlin; intersections of gender, sexuality, race, class, and disability; artistic and literary depictions of gender fluidity and erotic desire; medicalization, criminalization, and the state's response to gender/sexual nonconformity; the rise of fascism and the violent backlash against LGBTQ+ rights. Through close engagement with primary sources and cutting-edge scholarly work, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the complex, often contradictory dynamics that defined gender and sexuality in Weimar Germany. This course will equip students with the critical tools to analyze the interplay between cultural production, social movements, and the politics of identity.

Language Requirements: English B2

• The detailed syllabus for this course is available on the Berlin Perspectives website:
   https://hic.hu-berlin.de/en/berlin-perspectives/courses 
• This course is part of the Berlin Perspectives program for international exchange students. Regular degree-seeking students are also welcome to attend within the elective part of their study program. Courses are offered by the Career Center as part of the elective program üWP.
• Berlin Perspectives seminars are specifically designed for undergraduate-level students. As a Master's student, please check with your university beforehand to confirm whether the study points can be recognized.
• Upon completion of the seminar, students will receive 5 ECTS.
• Places are allocated via Agnes through a lottery procedure (not on a first-come, first-served basis).
• Registration for the Summer Semester 2025 is open until Wednesday, 9 April, 14:00 (2:00pm). 
   If you have missed the registration deadline, it is still possible to register for the waiting list on Agnes.
• You will be notified by 11 April 2025 if you have been allocated a place.
• If you are in, please make sure to attend the first session to confirm your participation. If you have changed your mind about the course, kindly sign out in Agnes. Other students will be happy to take your place in the seminar.
• If are on the waiting list, there is still a chance of moving up in the first few weeks of the semester if other students decide to drop the course. In that case, please inform the teachers of your interest.