Duke in Berlin
"Something I hadn't anticipated was how my cultural awareness would skyrocket
in Berlin. Art, opera, and classical music are more a part of people's lives
there than they are here. At the same time, domestic life in Berlin is less
complicated and distracting than life in the states. The standard of living
is high, but people seem to have fewer extraneous belongings."
"I found that there's a very positive attitude toward Americans in Berlin, because of our role in the Cold War. If you speak even mediocre German, Berliners are very impressed and helpful. I'd encourage people be adventurous when they go. Because the German capital is moving back here, you can witness Berlin's transition to being a free city."
- David, an economics and comparative area studies major
The program
For forty years Berlin was a divided city and the fulcrum of the Cold War balance of power. Now the capital of a reunited country, it's the site of a Duke in Berlin program designed to help you advance your language skills, give you an understanding of German history and culture, and provide academic opportunities in art history and the social sciences. In the latter, the program emphasizes environmental studies, economics, and European area studies.During the fall semester, you will take four Duke courses at Humboldt University, the city's historic original university, in former East Berlin. Two will focus on German language, culture and art. The social sciences courses will be taught in English initially, then segue into German as the semester progresses. The program includes excursions to nearby German sites, to Dresden, and to Prague.
Spring-semester students will enroll in four advanced courses in language, literature, and social science, all taught in German at the Free University in the suburbs of former West Berlin. Classes will include excursions to Jena, Weimar, Bonn, and numerous Berlin sites. You will also audit or take for credit at least one regular Free University course. Students are encouraged to enroll for the entire academic year.
See the daily construction on the Potsdamer Platz as it is restored to its former glory at the center of Berlin: Cityscope
Where you'll be
When the Wall came down in 1989, Berlin became a single city, but
for years it will carry the vestiges of the world's Cold War division into
East and West. Perhaps better than any other city, Berlin represents Europe's
effort to become a single community. Modern Berlin is a sophisticated metropolis
of three and a half million that combines the character of the old central
European style with a vibrant modern arts scene. A pilgrimage to Berlin
was a must for many artists and musicians during the past forty years, and
the city has always been a center of intellectual stimulation. Hegel, Engels,
and Marx, among others, studied and taught here.
Onsite advice and arrangements
The resident director of Duke in Berlin is a native German and a specialist
in German studies who has studied in the United States. He teaches language
and culture both semesters, organizes excursions, arranges housing, and
is available to help students whenever needed.
A place to stay
You will be housed in carefully screened German homes in either side of Berlin. Students find that this arrangement gives them the advantages of a secure base and the freedom to explore the city as an inhabitant. The resident director makes all home placements.Dates, deadlines, information
The
fall program begins in early September and runs through mid- December, after
which there is a six-week winter break. Applicants for the fall must have
completed one year of German language or have equivalent proficiency. The
spring-summer program begins in early February and ends mid-July. Second-semester
students must have two years of proficiency.
Applications for the fall semester and for the full year are due March 10. Deadline for spring application is October 10.
For information about the Duke in Berlin program, please contact:
- Office of Foreign Academic Programs
- Duke University
- 121 Allen Building
- Box 90057
- Durham, NC 27708-0057
- tel: 919/684-2174
- fax: 919/684-3083
- E-mail: abroad@asdean.duke.edu
This page is maintained by Kurt Olausen, all correspondence concerning content should be addressed to him. Last update for this page: September 2, 1998.