This course investigates narratives and images of Berlin in literature, film, and popular media. As both a limitless, high-energy playground and a scarred urban landscape, portrayals of Germany’s first metropolis contrast possibilities of the future with the burdens of the city’s history. Students read and analyze how depictions of Berlin negotiate its past, conceptualize its future, and position the city within networks of commerce, migration and cultural exchange. Through their analysis, students critically engage with Berlin as a site for identity formation in a globalized Europe. Prerequisite: GRMN 300 or higher or placement.