A non-refundable programme fee, in addition to the tuition fee, is applicable. The programme fee, which includes the social programme, is to be paid within one week after registration at the latest, along with the tuition fee.
Other than German language sufficiency, there are no further requirements. All students interested in German literature and its historical background are welcome.
Please visit our website (www.fubis.org) for an overview of all courses offered and for possible updates to the course programme.
About this course
The recurring theme of the literary works analysed in this course is the individual experience during pivotal moments in history. There are numerous factors compelling individuals to leave their home countries. According to the United Nations, the global number of individuals fleeing persecution and violent conflicts has reached unprecedented levels. This surge in displacement began with the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011 and escalated further with the Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022, resulting in a significant influx of refugees into Germany.
Given Germany's historical context, it is evident that the country holds a unique responsibility regarding issues of exile and migration. In 1933, the rise of the National Socialists forced many individuals whose lives were in danger to seek refuge in other European and American countries. This was true for numerous writers whose subsequent works not only chronicled the challenges of residing in foreign lands but also showcased the authors' capacity to critically reflect on the political and social realities of their homeland.
Following the end of World War II, a different migration pattern emerged, with people now immigrating to Germany rather than emigrating from it. This was exemplified by waves of migration in the 1950s and 1970s, driven by the economic boom in West Germany (the term "Gastarbeiter" or guest worker emerged during this period). With the fall of the Iron Curtain in the 1980s and 1990s, a significant number of individuals from the former Eastern Bloc States immigrated to the former Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Some of these newcomers used art and literature to express their experiences and address issues such as the loss of language, culture, and identity.
However, international events were not the only reasons people left their homelands. Between the 1970s and the fall of the Berlin Wall, a domestic exodus occurred within Germany due to the forced expulsions of dissident citizens from the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The profound disruptions in people's lives resonate in the works of authors who opposed the system.
Students will practise analysing and comparing literary texts, examining how historical developments affect individual personality, creativity, and artistic freedom. At the same time, they will enhance their oral and written language skills through their own text production and discussions.
A non-refundable programme fee, in addition to the tuition fee, is applicable. The programme fee, which includes the social programme, is to be paid within one week after registration at the latest, along with the tuition fee.
Students need to have very good knowledge (both written and spoken) of the German language (at least higher B2/C1 level or higher).
FUBiS can arrange appropriate off-campus accommodation for the duration of the programme as an optional service upon request. Accommodation options can be chosen during the registration process. Accommodation is subject to availability.
Prices range between 550 EUR and 1,350 EUR.
FUBiS offers a variety of extracurricular activities, which are included in the programme fee:
In addition, FUBiS offers optional excursions (for an extra cost) within Berlin as well as to other popular German cities.
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Language course/short course
