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Background
Official (public diplomacy) efforts and unofficial encounters between American representatives such as artists, writers, intellectuals, politicians, even soldiers, but also private citizens have shaped German-American relations. Probably no other city in Germany has been more shaped and influenced by American transits than Berlin. The Cold War sticks out as a period when the American presence in Berlin was most felt. This period is documented in a number of museums and memorials (Allied Museum, Checkpoint Charlie, etc.) and in the public memory (airlift, candy bombers, Kennedy visit, Reagan speech, etc.).
However, there are more traces to be found of U.S. influence in the city. The film industry of the past and present is a most interesting topic to explore (Hollywood and Berlin; film studios Babelsberg; Film Museum on Potsdamer Platz). American writers and intellectuals have stayed in Berlin over a period of time (Mark Twain, W.E.B. Du Bois, Paul Robeson, Richard Ford, Richard Powers, etc.). Others stayed only visited but had a lasting impact (Martin Luther King, Louis Armstrong, etc.). Foreign Correspondents have been witnesses to major changes such as the rise of Nazi Germany, the fall of the wall. Architecture reflected and still reflects American modernity in the 1950s and 60s (e.g. Amerikahaus). Last but not least, many artists live in Berlin who write, paint, or perform and bring their own American background to their adopted hometown. Even culinary traces could be explored (“Food Diplomacy”).
Goal
In order to turn the creative effort you bring to this course into a Public Diplomacy effort from which a larger than just the academic audience can profit, I propose that – based on your academic research and input– we explore past and present American traces in Berlin. Together we will produce material that eventually will be turned into an online product such as blog (text, video, photography) to share with a larger audience. The audience we are targeting are first and foremost young people such as university or high school students who are not familiar with German-American (cultural) history and ongoing exchanges.
You are encouraged to think creatively in this class!
Requirements
Students are required to
- attend class regularly and punctually;
- contribute to class discussions actively;
- give a 15-minute presentation;
- write a blog post on “American Traces in Berlin” derived from research and presentation; add visuals;
- presentations and blog posts can be done individually or as a group.
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