GERM 304 – Layered Berlin

Four credits
Four weeks in Germany
Professor Jaime Roots

Layered Berlin (GERM 304) is a four-week course that offers students a true immersion in German language, culture, and business environment. In order to give students a complete understanding of contemporary Germany, we integrate a literary-historical analysis of the country's rich history from 1848 to the present day with an introduction to sustainability principles in business. Students will gain an understanding of this vibrant, international city through an exciting mix of literary fiction, historical readings and cases, film screenings, along with historical and cultural site visits.

The setting for the course will be the city of Berlin. The German capital epitomizes many of the political, commercial, and artistic strands of German history that help shape the so-called modern German identity. Berlin's unique and complex history gives the students a firsthand look at how the past has shaped the culture and commerce of Germany and its neighbors. This course will help students to empathize with the German quest for an understanding of their place in the European community. Students will gain an appreciation for how the past has shaped modern Germany which in turn will help students to see the possibilities and limitations of what it means to be German in the twenty-first century. Students will walk Berlin and be immersed in the literature, art, architecture, and commerce of Berlin's many layers.

Pre-requisite: German 112 or equivalent. Students who are majoring or minoring in German will be given preference.

For further details, please contact Prof. Roots (jroots@wlu.edu).

Applications open October 7th, 2025.