GERMAN 375g: The German Exile Experience

Seeking to forget makes exile all the longer (Richard von Weizäcker)

German Exiles Working from an Ocean Apart

Exile Experience German 375g Spring 2018 Dr. Britta Bothe 1

Room: THH 121Tu, Th 2:00PM – 3:50PMInstructor: Britta BotheOffice Hour: M,T,W 1-1:50PMOffice: THH 316E-Mail: bothe@usc.eduPhone: (213) 740-2257

Exile Experience German 375g Spring 2018 Dr. Britta Bothe 2

Course Material:

Texts: Baum, Vicki. Hotel Berlin 43. New York: Double Day, 1944

Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.260570 Brecht, Bertolt. Fear and Misery of the Third Reich. London: Methuen

Drama, 2009 Feuchtwanger, Lion. excerpts from The Devil in France (free copy will be

provided or you can download a PDF: https://libraries.usc.edu/devil-france Remarque, Erich Maria. Arch of Triumph. New York: Random House, 2014 Seghers, Anna. The Excursion of the Dead Girls. Baltimore: JHU Press,

2017 (will be provided to you) Werfel, Franz. Pale Blue Ink in a Lady’s Hand. Boston: Verba Mundi Books,

2012. Wallace, David. Exiles in Hollywood Limelight Edition, 2006

Reader: Writings by Hannah Arendt, Bert Brecht, Lion Feuchtwanger, Thomas Mann, Heinrich Mann, Klaus Mann, Albert Einstein, Arnold Schoenberg, Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Billy Wilder.

Films:Shadows in Paradise (2008, 60 minutes) Peter RosenCinema’s Exiles. From Hitler to Hollywood (2007, 117 minutes) Karen Thomas

WELCOME TO German 375!

Course Description:Germany’s intellectual community of the 1930’s and 40’s experienced a brain drain of monumental proportions. Authors, scientists, musicians, politicians, artists, in short a huge part of the intelligentsia went into exile. A lot of these German exiles fleeing Nazi Germany found a (temporary) home in the Americas, especially in the Los Angeles area.In this course, we will address general questions of cultural migration and transfer and delve deeper into these issues by exploring what consequences the exile experience had for this particular community of German speaking immigrants on a personal as well as on a professional level. We will discuss the cultural production of German antifascist refugees by examining works of different genres: texts by German speaking authors, artists, musicians and philosophers etc. as well as music and film created by members of the German exile community. In addition to the famous exiles of the time, we will also investigate the more “ordinary” exile experience of refugees who were involved in creating institutions such as the German-Jewish Club of 1933 and smaller groups i.e. the “Gruppe.”

The course will give you an overview of some of the key figures and institutions of the exile community in the Americas, especially Los Angeles and introduce you to some exemplary works of German exiles and the context of their cultural production. You will learn about socio-political and historical developments that informed the twentieth century German exile experience. Class discussions will in particular explore the impact

Exile Experience German 375g Spring 2018 Dr. Britta Bothe 3

of the immigrant experience on the country of immigration and vise versa, the effect immigration had on the creative process.

Course Objectives and Assessment: The goal of the class is to provide students with an introduction to the exile experience and work of some of the German refugee intellectuals in the Americas. The material covered will include the work and life of exile authors, artists, musicians and lesser known refugees who left Germany due to the persecution of the national socialist government. The educational objectives and testing methods used in this course are categorized below.

Objective: encourage students to engage with a variety of different texts (including German

literature, philosophy & film, secondary literature) and develop students independent research skills employing a range of academic resources

enhance students capacity to analytically read, dissect, manage and synthesize information from a wide range of material and to make connections and comparisons to their own perspective/culture

hone students ability to interpret and critically discuss (in writing & orally) these different texts in their cultural, historical and political contexts

enhance the ability of students to write a well-structured interpretive analysis of a text, expressing complex arguments concisely and supporting them with appropriate evidence

enable students to give well informed presentations and enhance their capacity for partner and group work

Forms of assessment:

Discussions, reading assignments, essays, Reading Journal, presentations and exams

Participation:Please take attendance and participation seriously. Attendance at every class meeting is expected. Participation does not only account for 15 % of the final grade, you will of course also profit a lot more from the course if you actively engage with your classmates and the material: the quality of the class discussions will depend on your preparation for each class session and active involvement in discussions. Cell phone use and texting are not allowed in class and will affect the participation grade. Absence from more than 10 percent of the scheduled class sessions, whether excused or unexcused, is excessive and the instructor may choose to exact a grade penalty for such absences. It is of particular

importance that a student who anticipates absences in excess of 10 percent of the scheduled class sessions receives prior approval from the instructor. More than two unexcused absences will affect the participation grade. For each additional absence you Participation grade will drop by half a grade. Excused absences include illness (with documentation), religious holidays, and approved USC events. Students are responsible for making up missed readings and assignments. If you have to miss a class period, you are expected to cover the assignment for the missed class and come fully prepared to the next session. Please notify me or Susan Kechekian (213) 740-2735 of your absence before class.

Exile Experience German 375g Spring 2018 Dr. Britta Bothe 4

Exile Experience German 375g Spring 2018 Dr. Britta Bothe 5

Assignments: There will be different kinds of assignments throughout the semester: Obviously: assigned readings. Close, thoughtful reading of the texts is expected,

which will require you to actively engage with the text. Researching background information (history, biography, politics etc.)

report your findings in class. Reading journal & other homework. (Every Student collects her/his impressions of the readings/films in a Reading Journal) Minimum final length: 8 pages (15% of

grade) 4 essay assignments - double-spaced pages with a 2-inch margin on the left.

(25% of grade)

Presentation/Project: All course participants will work together on a digital mapping project. Each student team will conduct research on one exile artist/author/musician/organization and enter its findings into a blog which should include an original written introduction to the research subject, original written comments about audio/video material, images, links that are later on entered by the instructor into a digital map. The students will present their findings to the class utilizing their blog, by expanding on/explaining its content and by establishing the literary/cultural context and significance of the research subject’s work. Students will hand in the proposed topic on February 6th – a first “draft” on March 6th. A handout/bibliography has to accompany the presentation, a copy of which has to be handed in to the instructor at least a week before the presentation. Each individual team member will proceed to conduct research on this research subject for his/her final project.

3-Minute Presentations: These presentations are not formal presentations but rather short commentaries about a text that will serve as an introduction to the class discussion that day or short “panel discussions” where the pros and cons of an issue are debated. Each student will be responsible for two of these mini-presentations. Please base your analysis on close reading of the homework assignment or on the research that was assigned that day to present the class with well-founded arguments.

Culture:Learning about German exile LITERATURE/FILM/MUSIC and learning about other aspects of the CULTUREs of German speaking countries are part and parcel of developing intercultural expertise. It is important for you as a student of German Studies to expose yourself to a broader spectrum of German culture. Thus, you are required to attend 4 events during the semester that cover German culture. You receive 5 points each for a total of 20 points at the end of the semester. You could for instance attend the German film series, lectures on campus focusing on a topic related to German speaking countries, a Thornton Music School concert featuring German composers etc. You can also watch a film checked out a Leavey library. If you are attending an event (other than the German Studies Film Series where an attendance sign-up sheet is available), you will have to write a short paragraph that shows personal engagement with what was covered during the event (not a summary taken from the Internet, please).

For institutions around L.A. that offer events where you can experience German culture please check the program website: http://dornsife.usc.edu/usc-german-studies-program/about-the-program/ On the bottom of the page is a list with different organizations in L.A. Under “Useful Campus Links on the side of the page are also links to the School of Music events and the film school film series. You should also like our German Studies Facebook page for announcements of lectures etc.: https://www.facebook.com/USCGermanstudies

Portfolio: Each student is responsible for an individual portfolio. This will consist of all the essays and projects, homework, the presentation essay, and a final statement about your learning experience.

Midterm and Final Project:One Midterm (15 %), final (In class/ID Section) will cover class discussions, readings and screened material. You will answer ID questions and write a short essay about the material covered in class.Final essay - 5 (Text) pages (Bibliography, images etc. not counting)

type written etc. The final project will be a blog (added to the digital map by the instructor) and also printed and handed in as part of the portfolio (15% of your final grade) is DUE: May 1st, Noon.

STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC CONDUCT AND SUPPORT SYSTEMSAcademic ConductPlagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Section 11, Behavior Violating University Standards https://scampus.usc.edu/1100-behavior-violating-university-standards-and-appropriate-sanctions. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. Examples of Academic Misconduct include, but are not limited to: •    PLAGIARISM•    FAILURE TO CITE SOURCES IN AN ESSAY ANY EDITING/WRITING HELP FROM ONLINE TRANSLATORS or ANY PERSON

other than USC instructors See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct, http://policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct/.Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You are encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity http://equity.usc.edu/ or to the Department of Public Safety http://capsnet.usc.edu/department/department-public-safety/online-forms/contact-us. This is important for the safety whole USC community. Another member of the university community – such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member – can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center for Women and Men http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/ provides 24/7 confidential support, and the sexual assault resource center webpage sarc@usc.edu describes reporting options and other resources.

Support Systems A number of USC’s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly writing. Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose primary language is not English should check with the American Language Institute http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international graduate students. The Office of Disability Services and Programs http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. Please make sure to alert your instructor to the requested academic accommodations immediately and to deliver the DSP letter to him/her as soon as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is: 213- 740 0776.

If an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information http://emergency.usc.edu/ will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued by means of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.

Grading Scale

A 94 – 100 D+ 67 – 69A- 90 – 93 D 63 – 66B+ 87 – 89 D- 60 – 62B 84 – 86 F 59 and underB- 80 – 83C+ 77 –79C 74 – 76C- 70 – 73

Grading Policy

Participation 15%Reading Journal/HW projects 15%Essays 20%3-minute presentations 5%Midterm 15%Final 15%Presentation 5%Portfolio 5%Culture 5%

Important Dates:

Jan. 26th Last day to add a class and to drop a class without a mark of "W"

Jan. 26th Last day to change enrollment option to Pass/No Pass or Audit

April 6th Last day to drop a class with a mark of W

Tentative Course Outline:

TUESDAY THURSDAY

January 9 January 11Prepare:Read: Hand-outs (Nuremberg Laws etc.

In class:Introduction to courseExile definitionCurrent refugee situation around the world

In class:Discuss historical context leading to exileOral history: Shoah FoundationGenocide definition

January 16Prepare: Research persecuted groups during Nazi reignRead: Hannah Arendt: We Refugees

January 18Prepare:Read: Hannah Arendt on TotalitarianismResearch Shoah Foundation website - testimonialsShort report about your research: group of persecuted during Nazi reign

In class:Visit Shoah Foundation

In class:Persecution in Nazi GermanyDiscussion:Hannah Arendt

January 23 January 25

Prepare:Read:Thomas Mann and Heinrich Mann lettersExcerpt: Klaus Mann: Turning Point

Prepare: Read: Thomas Mann Radio BroadcastResearch Lion FeuchtwangerExcerpt: Lion Feuchtwanger, Devil in France

In class:Discuss: Thomas Mann and Heinrich Mann lettersKlaus Mann Turning Point

In class:Film: Shadows in ParadiseDiscussion: Lion FeuchtwangerThomas Mann Radio Broadcast

January 30 Prepare: Feuctwanger short storyQuestions for Librarian

February 1Prepare:Read: Franz Werfel, Pale Blue Ink in a Lady’s Hand

In class: Visit: Feuchtwanger Memorial LibraryEssay 1 due

In class:DiscussionFeuchtwanger short storyFranz Werfel, Pale Blue Ink in a Lady’s Hand

February 6Prepare:Read: Finish Franz Werfel, Pale Blue Ink in a Lady’s Hand

February 8PrepareRead: Wallace – chapter on BrechtBrecht: Fear and Misery of the Third Reich

In class: Discussion Franz Werfel, Pale Blue Ink in a Lady’s HandSign up for presentations

In class:Final discussion Franz Werfel, Pale Blue InkBertolt Brecht, To Those Born AfterFear and Misery of the Third ReichEpic TheatreDiscussion of play

February 13Prepare:Read: Brecht: Fear and Misery of the Third Reich

February 15Prepare:Brecht: Fear and Misery of the Third Reich

In class:Discuss playEssay 2 due

In class:Discuss play

February 20PrepareRead: Wallace –Chapters on Billy Wilder and Fritz Lang

February 22Prepare:Read: Wallace – chapters on Erich Korngold and the Casablanca Connection

In class:Discussion: Influence of German Exiles on Hollywood

In class:Documentary: Cinema’s Exiles. From Hitler to Hollywood

February 27Prepare:Read:Texts: Einstein, Frankfurt School

March 1Prepare:Review for midterm

In class:Discussion of texts

In class:Midterm

March 6Prepare:Read: Anna Seghers The Excursion of the Dead Girls

March 8Prepare:Read: Anna Seghers The Excursion of the Dead GirlsEssay 3 due

In class:Discussion of novella

In class:Discussion of novella

SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK

March 20Prepare:Read: Read: Erich Maria Remarque, Arch of Triumph

March 22Prepare:Read: Read: Read: Erich Maria Remarque, Arch of Triumph

In class:Discussion of chapters

In class:Discussion of chapters

March 27Prepare:Read: Erich Maria Remarque, Arch of Triumph

March 29Prepare: Read: Erich Maria Remarque, Arch of Triumph

In class:Discussion of chaptersPresentations

In class:Discussion of chaptersPresentations

April 3Prepare: Read: Erich Maria Remarque, Arch of Triumph

April 5Prepare: Read: Ruth Wolman – Excerpt: Crossing Over

In class:Final Discussion: Arch of TriumphFilm: Erich Maria Remarque, Arch of TriumphFinal Discussion of chaptersPresentations

In class:Discussion of exile status/situationTalk: Holocaust survivor

April 10Prepare:Read: Viki Baum Hotel Berlin 43

April 12Prepare:Read: Viki Baum Hotel Berlin 43

In class:Discussion of chaptersPresentations

In class:Discussion of chaptersPresentations

Essay 4 dueApril 17Prepare:Read:Viki Baum Hotel Berlin 43

April 19Prepare:Read: Wallace – Schönberg chapter

In class:Final Discussion of Viki Baum, Hotel Berlin 43Presentations

In class:German exile musiciansPresentations

April 24Prepare:Review

April 26Review

In class:PresentationsWhat to expect for the final/Review

In class:Final (ID-Questions, Mini-Essay)Looking back at the films and literary works of the semester