Vassar Moodle

Federal and state programs have transformed American cities over the past century. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) “redlined” entire neighborhoods as “hazardous” for investment. After World War II, federal funding for “urban renewal” transformed U.S. cities from 1949 to 1974, involving “slum clearance” of neighborhoods considered blighted by authorities, even if many were vibrant communities. Urban renewal aimed to create modern public housing, freeways, expressways, cultural centers, recreational and educational facilities, office complexes, and more. Those displaced by eviction numbered in the millions, mainly affecting the working class, people of color, and immigrants. In many cities, urban revitalization and gentrification now lead to public-private forms of social displacement. After examining the complex links between these historical and current processes, students use urban theory to explain and analyze cities of their choice.

This course offers a yearlong introduction to the study of German language and culture through literature, fairy tales, and films for and about children. Since these materials tend to be linguistically easier, they are ideal for beginning language learning. Moreover, their role in socializing a new generation makes them important sources for understanding a culture’s fundamental values and way of looking at the world. Materials range from classic texts, such as fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, to contemporary stories, films, and television shows. In addition to offering a systematic introduction to German grammar and vocabulary, classroom activities promote practical and active oral and written communication. No prior experience with German required.

Nietzsche behauptete, sein Ziel sei, »in zehn Sätzen zu sagen, was jeder andre in einem Buche sagt – was jeder andre in einem Buche nicht sagt«. Im Gegensatz zu Nietzsches explosiv-kompaktem Schreibstil sind viele Autor*innen dafür bekannt, die deutsche Sprache in ihrer grammatikalischen Flexibilität auszunutzen, um lange und verschachtelte Sätze zu bauen. Dieser Kurs wird Stilfragen in der deutschen Literaturgeschichte als Antwort auf Kolonialismus, Faschismus, Kapitalismus, Naturkatastrophen und Alltagsstarre erforschen, um existenzielle und epistemologische Grundfragen zu stellen, wie zum Beispiel, inwiefern Sprache Realität abbilden kann. Thematisch werden Nietzsches Kritik der Sprache, die Begriffe des Erhabenen und Unheimlichen und die Folgen des Holocausts bzw. des Nationalsozialismus auf die deutsche Sprache und Literatur behandelt werden. Diese Themen werden anhand von Werken von Autor*innen wie Sibylle Berg, Thomas Bernhard, E.T.A. Hoffmann, Elfriede Jelinek, Franz Kafka, Heinrich von Kleist und Viktor Klemperer untersucht. Neben der Behandlung und Interpretation von Texten, werden die Teilnehmenden die Möglichkeit haben, die kreativen Dimensionen der deutschen Sprache zu erkunden.

Writing at the turn of the millennium, the Roman author Livy published a monumental work now known as Ab urbe condita. Livy chronicled the history of Rome from its foundations to his own day in 142 books. Students in this class will read a large portion of this history’s first book, which recounts the origins of the Roman people, Rome’s mythical foundation, its rule by seven legendary kings, and the establishment of the Roman Republic. Over the course of the semester, students will examine in detail Livy’s style as a prose author, his theory of history, his use of evidence, and the utility of his narrative for understanding this long-past period of Roman history.