Thinking about the readings you have down so far (GHOSTS OF BERLIN, INTRODUCING GLOBALIZATION, AGE OF IMMIGRATION, NEW ETHNIC MINORITIES, IDENTITY and LANGUAGE LEARNING and EUROPEAN OTHERS, as well as "What Does it Mean to be a German?" discuss one or more of the themes of the programs and how the readings speak to these theme(s). Also, consider what research you will be doing in Berlin and begin to craft a research question and topic statement.
Of the variety of themes that this program attempts to cover, the place of immigrants and refugees in the context of national identity is of particular interest to me. Immigrants and refugees are the "others"-- others who are not typically included in a national identity, German identity included. Hence, why it is referred to as "monarchal".Because of phenotypic differences, they are viewed as not a part of this identity, despite contributing to it. Because of communication differences, or the inability to communicate, they are viewed as less of an individual. This sense of otherness by default fosters competing identities-- that of a refugee and that of a German.
The existence of memorials and sites of commemoration is also an interesting component of national identity to consider. Memorials are a huge physical presence. Because of their presence, by default they also shape national identity. I would like to focus on this for my research project. Specifically, how do commemoration sites/memorials (specific sites TBD) highlight/shape competing Berlin identities (as a state) and/or German identities (as a nation) and/or immigrant/refugee identities.
Of the variety of themes that this program attempts to cover, the place of immigrants and refugees in the context of national identity is of particular interest to me. Immigrants and refugees are the "others"-- others who are not typically included in a national identity, German identity included. Hence, why it is referred to as "monarchal".Because of phenotypic differences, they are viewed as not a part of this identity, despite contributing to it. Because of communication differences, or the inability to communicate, they are viewed as less of an individual. This sense of otherness by default fosters competing identities-- that of a refugee and that of a German.
The existence of memorials and sites of commemoration is also an interesting component of national identity to consider. Memorials are a huge physical presence. Because of their presence, by default they also shape national identity. I would like to focus on this for my research project. Specifically, how do commemoration sites/memorials (specific sites TBD) highlight/shape competing Berlin identities (as a state) and/or German identities (as a nation) and/or immigrant/refugee identities.