Das Sommerschul-Programm der Berliner Universitäten und Hochschulen: Kultur und Wissenschaft entdecken

In two World Wars, Germany tried to dominate the globe in the first half of the 20th century, and all major decisions were made in the capital Berlin:

Why was Germany such an aggressive power until 1945? How did Hitler manage to gain and keep power? Why were many Germans Nazis and deeply racist? How was the life of ordinary people during the war? Why did the Nazis kill millions of Jews and other innocent people in concentration camps? What were the long term effects of World War II? What happened to the Nazis after the war?

The online course will provide answers to such questions via readings of texts from political science, sociology and history, while also taking the opportunity to explore the grounds through virtual tours on which the events between 1933 and 1945 took place.

Undergraduate students of all subjects with an academic background and a strong interest in the various aspects of German History, and Culture.

This course is taught in English, including readings in English. For the understanding of the texts and the discussions in class a language level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required.

Participating students need to be at least 18 years old.

Furthermore a motivation letter (about one page in English) and a valid student ID is required.

For almost 30 years, the Berlin Wall was a symbol of the division of the city of Berlin, of Germany and of Europe during the era of the Cold War between the two superpowers, the United States of America and the Soviet Union. Consequently, the fall of the Wall in 1989 was a hugely symbolic turning point in world history.

But how can we explain the building of such a dividing monument? How can we account for its fall in 1989? And how does the Wall influence our lives today?

The course will provide answers to such questions via readings of texts from political science, sociology and history, in order to further investigate the ground on which the events between 1961 and 1989 took place.

Undergraduate students of all subjects with a strong interest in contemporary history, social sciences, politics, European studies.

In order to follow the course, a very good command of English is required (B2). The minimum age requirement is 18 years.

Furthermore a letter of motivation (one page, in English) and a valid student ID is required.

Multinational companies like Google or Apple self-evidently act on a global stage. But even small businesses participate in international trade today. The integration of national economies and the elimination of barriers of trade no longer allow a solely national view on this development. With the growing importance of international commerce, the need for an „International Economic Law“ arises. Numerous regulations and agreements concern international trade and investment, but the legal framework of international economy remains indefinite.

In this course common principles of International Economic Law will be examined by analysing leading decisions by international courts. Therefore a substantial part of the course will be dedicated to the discussion of cases and reading materials.

Advanced undergraduate law students and students with an academic background that qualifies them to participate in the course

In order to follow the course, a very good command of English (B2) is required. The minimum age requirement is 18 years.

Furthermore a letter of motivation (in English, one page) and a valid student ID is required.

"German in the City" in an online format:

In the middle of Germany yet still at home – in this special situation at the present time we are facing new challenges. Especially when it comes to a course that is called “German in the City”! How can we give you the experience of German language and culture in Berlin? No matter where you are? And no matter how far away you are from Berlin?

Therefore, we are working intensively and with a lot of creativity and passion on a solution. Just like in the ‘real’ “German in the City” course, we will use a lot of authentic materials, which we will make available to you through digital formats (such as Zoom, Screencast, video lectures, discussion forums…) in order to make you familiar with vocabulary, language structures and cultural discourses of life in Berlin. Here you will meet students from all over the world online. In different countries, on different continents and yet together you will practice your oral and written German, watch German films and plays together and take part in current social debates. Through a mixture of different sequences with synchronous teaching, instructions for your own research, short presentations and accompanied self-study, we offer you direct access to language, everyday life in Berlin, and key concepts of German culture, history and politics. Berlin is waiting – and we, your digital hosts, are looking forward to see you!

German: B2 - proof will be required

This course is designed for students of German Studies/ German Literature and all interested students, who do not only want to take language classes, but are also interested in topics concerning culture, literature, theater, history and society.

For optimal success in this course, we require a German fluency level of Advanced (C1/C2) or Average (B1/B2).

The fluency levels of the language test are based on the guidelines set by the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages".

The minimum age requirement is 18 years.

Placement in language courses:

Preliminary allocation to a certain language level is based on information provided during registration (language self-assessment, questionnaire) and a placement test, which is done online before the course starts or on the first day of the course in written or oral form.

Experience Berlin in the winter digitally and learn German at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. This course is specifically designed for those who are seeking instruction in the German language and who would love to get a glimpse of Germany's capital.

Beginners A1 + A2

This course is designed for students with no previous or only little knowledge of German and focuses on the development of communicative competence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. With regard to content, one of the foci of this course is Berlin and the region. Therefore, authentic material will be used in the course along with the course book.

• By the end of the course you will be able to engage in simple conversations about familiar things.
• You will know greetings and everyday expressions, you will be able to count and tell time and use sentences in day-to-day contexts.
• Furthermore, you will be able to talk about yourself and your family and friends.
• You can expect to be able to order food and beverages, purchase things and rent a hotel room.
• Furthermore, you will be able to talk about your studies and about your dreams and aspirations.
• In addition, you will feel more able to understand information when you hear German speakers talking about topics familiar to you.

Intermediate B1+B2

This course is designed to improve your writing and speaking competence in German, to increase your vocabulary and to help you developing effective reading and listening strategies. One of the foci is the development of self-correction in oral and written production. Our in-class discussions are based on readings of texts to facilitate exchange of information, ideas, reactions, and opinions. In addition, the readings provide cultural and historical background information. You will expand and deepen your knowledge of grammar through specific grammar exercises.

Course topics, e.g.:

• People in Germany, German history and social situation (esp. Berlin)
• Multicultural Berlin / Migration in Germany
• German media and music: topics from newspaper articles, films, popular songs

By the end of the course, students will be able to talk, read and write about historical, cultural and social topics, many of them in connection with Berlin and Germany, and use vocabulary and structures accordingly.

Advanced C1+C2

This course is designed to deepen your competence in speaking and writing, and to expand and refine your vocabulary usage. In particular, this course focuses on the development of your academic register. You work across literary genres and media as you interpret and analyse cultural, political and historical moments in German-speaking countries.

Course topics, e.g.:

• History of Berlin (like e. g. East-West, mentality, Berlin dialect, multicultural Berlin)
• Germany (history, politics and economy);
• Environmental issues
• Foreigners in Germany
• German media and music…

By the end of the course, students will be able to talk, read and write about different topics, many of them connected with the history, culture/mentality, economy and politics in Berlin and Germany in an in-depth way and use structures of the language on a highly advanced level, as well as vocabulary.

This course is specifically designed for those who are primarily seeking instruction in the German language. It is for undergraduate, graduate students as well as Ph.D. candidates who are interested in a semi-intensive language course which can be combined with a subject course.

Students without previous knowledge of German can participate in the course as well as students of German from elementary level (A1/ A2), intermediate level (B1/ B2) and advanced level (C1/C2).

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Placement in language courses:

Preliminary allocation to a certain language level is based on information provided during registration (language self-assessment, questionnaire) and a placement test, which is done online before the course starts or on the first day of the course in written or oral form.

Welcome to the Berlin Summer University of the Arts! Every summer since 2012, we’ve been opening our doors for workshops across the range of disciplines: Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Design, Music, Creative Entrepreneurship, Arts Management, and interdisciplinary courses. All that in the heart of Germany’s biggest and most inspiring city!

A team of passionate teachers and coaches offers a supportive environment where you can challenge yourself in creative expression and critical thinking, find your artistic voice and visual language, bring your ideas to life, share them with like-minded people, and build up a professional network. 

Join us in Berlin and meet artists and creatives from around the globe. Get inspired by the unique atmosphere, explore your interests and dive into the creativity at one of the biggest and most multi-faceted art universities in Europe.

The new program will be announced in December 2019. Sign up for our newsletter to stay tuned!

For details please check out our FAQs or contact us at summer-courses@udk.berlin.de

In this seminar, participants will be introduced to the basic knowledge of perceptual processes through demonstrations of different perceptual phenomena and reenactments of psychological experiments. Furthermore, related artistic, architectural, scientific, and philosophic texts and artworks will be explored in readings, presentations, and discussions.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this course will be facilitated online with a mixture of daily live-sessions and guided tasks to be completed.

Besides the introduction to the perception principles, we'll discuss ideas from the disciplines that initiated a change in the understanding of perception such as philosophy, phenomenology, neuroscience, and psychology. Works by various artists working across sensory modalities will be introduced and discussed in the class. The reading list includes texts by James J. Gibson, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Francisco Varela, David Marr, among others, plus recent papers from scientific journals. Participants will be encouraged to develop and present projects, new or existing, which are related to the topics of the class.

SCHEDULE

13.08. – Artists' Use of Human Being
14.08. – Introduction to Visual Perception
15.08. – Introduction to Auditory Perception
16.08. – Presentations & Discussion

This course is designed for undergraduate and graduate students of different fields to gain knowledge on perception through experiences in experiments on perception concerning contemporary artworks and understand the intertwined history of art and psychology.

This four-day intensive workshop looks at the ways in which we can both be inspired by and change our relationship to the city. We will examine artistic strategies such as pyschogeography, situationism, algorithmic walking and urban intervention. It is a means of (re)considering and (re)discovering a city you may know well or not be so familiar with.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this course will be facilitated online using a mixture of daily live-sessions and guided tasks to be completed.

We will be walking, sharing, tracing, playing and developing strategies to see the city anew. Through set tasks, inspiration from other artists and exercises, we will work on finding modes of being and performing in the city. For the online version of the workshop, we would offer an online warm-up group followed by daily practical tasks and ask the participants to collect images, text, and feedback that we can all share with each other. Apart from practical tasks, we shall be sharing links to artists and collectives working with urban intervention in a wide variety of ways, many of which we will then also practically explore and feedback on.

Please consider that even though this might be an online course, we are planning to set tasks outside, so be prepared to spend several hours a day in the fresh air in summer (get sunscreen, water, and a hat if necessary).

Berlin residence is preferable but if you live in another city and would like to participate in the course, please get in touch with us. We will try to figure out whether it is possible to follow the course from your location.

Language: English. Both lecturers also speak fluent German.

FUBiS Online offers German language and culture courses on all levels from absolute beginners to advanced. Find out more about each level in the respective course syllabi on the FUBiS website.

The minimum age for participation in the FUBiS program is 18. In addition, participants should have studied at least one year at a university or college. A minimum grade point average of 2.8 (US grading system) or 2.3 (German marking system) is recommended.

After a self-assessment, you will be sorted into the courses corresponding to your German levels. No prior German language skills are required.

Registration deadline December 7, 2020.