Social aspects of city (re)building - Einzelansicht

Social aspects of city (re)building -methodological seminar

Taking the debates on the construction, reconstruction and restoration in Potsdam and other, primarily German, cities as an example, we will consider the following questions:

1. how does city space influence the organisation of social life?

2. How are decisions about the shape of urban space made?

3. What are the differences between urban and countryside planning?

4. Who owns the city and what can it possible mean?

5. what significance does architecture have for social memory and identity?

6. which expected and unanticipated actors can we encounter in such debates?

7. How to study these processes anthropologically and sociologically?

This is a practical seminar consisting of three parts:
During the first three meetings, students will be introduced to the social and architectural history of Potsdam, with a special focus on the redevelopment and planning of the city.  This includes an introductory class and two seminars in the form of tours of Potsdam (tours on 21.10 [meeting in front of Minsk Museum] and 28.10.2024 [meeting in front of Rechenzentrum).

In the second part, we will discuss a number of concepts and approaches used in the qualitative social sciences literature with regard to analysing contemporary urban redevelopment, reconstruction and historisation projects. These are concepts such as social memory, heritage, authenticity, social justice, aesthetics, pragmatics, decision-making, and non-human actors.

The third part involves independent student work in groups. The participants will be divided into three groups and prepare a presentation on the debates related to the reconstruction/demolition of selected buildings/urban complexes in Potsdam.

Options for participation in the seminar:

Option 1.  Everyone is required to read at least one text per seminar.

Active participation in class + reading a text + impulse papers= 6 ETCS points only (without a note)

Impulse papers: for the seminars where reading materials are assigned students are asked to write a short (half a page) impulse paper and upload it in the designated folder by Friday before the Monday seminar. Impulse papers are short reflections on the readings, with questions, points for discussion, or critique. Those are not essays, can be prepared in a narrative form or as bullet points.

Option 2. I would like to have student presentations based on the texts provided.

Presentation (c. 30 minutes of talk plus a handout/summary for the class plus questions for discussions) + participation in class + impulse papers = 6 ECTS and a note

Please let me know by email which topic you want to choose

Option 3

The third part of the seminar involves presentation of independent student work done in small groups and also on your own time (not during the seminars). Small groups (2-4 people) will prepare presentations on the debates related to the reconstruction/demolition of selected buildings/urban complexes in Potsdam. I suggest the following focus points: Fachhochschule/Stadtschloss; Alte Markt/Staudenhof; Rechenzentrum/Garnisonkirche. The results will be presented in class in January and a handhout/summary is also expected. 

Research based presentation (at least 45 minutes) + handout + leading discussion with the class + plus participation in class + impulse papers = 8 ETCS and a note. 

This can be also the base for Hausarbeit. Please discuss with me individually. Knowledge of German is required for research-based presentation!

Literutre will be succesively made available on moodle:

Soziale Aspekte des Städte(um)baus / Social aspects of city (re)building

Students will be asked to conduct a set of research exercises.