This is a two-semester course on 20th-century German history. Each week we'll watch a film and discuss it as a group.
The first half of the course (fall semester) will focus on World War II and the Holocaust. We will ask why so many ordinary Germans participated in this atrocity, and why so many more were passive bystanders. Is this phenomenon uniquely German, or is it something inherent to the human condition? How does modern Germany confront its past? And how can we avoid future genocides?
In the second half of the course (spring semester), we will discuss the Cold War, the division of Germany into East and West, and the country’s ultimate reconciliation in 1989/1990, after the fall of the Berlin Wall. We will also look at the way the twin legacies of Nazism and Communism shape modern-day politics in both Europe and the United States.
Outside work:Watch one movie per week + optional readings.
Details:Suggested age range: High school. Some of the films have very serious themes, including the Holocaust; students should be mature enough to watch and discuss these issues. German films also take a liberal attitude towards sexuality; many contain brief nudity (both male and female). These scenes are contextually appropriate and not the focus of the story, but students who will be distracted or upset by such depictions may have a hard time engaging with the course.
When & where: Fridays from 11:00-12:00 at Voyagers in Chelmsford (directions), Feb. 3-May 5, 2017. No class Feb. 24 or Apr. 21.
Fee: $200/semester + a Netflix subscription. $10 discount for Voyagers members. Payment plans available. Fees waived for families with financial need. (Waivers and payment plan information.)
NOTE: This is a two-semester class. You may enroll in one or both semesters; each one serves as a standalone class.
Photo credit: Laura Fokkena