Berlin childhood(s): The social history of the city in the 20th century

This course reflects on the history and culture of Berlin and Germany, the life of its inhabitants, and socio-political developments in Germany and Europe in the 20th century. By using the lens of children and adolescents, the course raises the topics of war, racism, eugenics, humanitarianism, displacement, child welfare politics and analyze how different events of this turbulent century shaped the present-day Berlin and Germany. In the class sessions, we will discover a variety of children’s experiences, read personal stories, analyze historical documents, watch movies, contrast and compare child policies and politics during the war and peacetime. By the end of the course, we will build a bridge between the past and the present, use historical knowledge and critical analysis in discussions on the current socio-political problems and events as well as reflect on our own lives in the present-day dynamic cityscape of Berlin.