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Berlin Viewpoints:

Assimilation and Aspiration in Art


August 25 - September 19, 2008
Summer 2008 | Honors Civilization | 13 credits
(2 credit preparatory Spring seminar '08) = 15 credits

Application Deadline Extended to February 22nd!
Apply online through Catalyst
* All students are welcome to apply *

Through the lens of three arts disciplines - Visual Art, Dance/Opera, Theatre - students will explore the complexities of German identity and artistic expression. The dynamic growth and transformation of the city from post war to east/west assimilation provides a unique lens through which to study immigration/migration, ongoing reconciliation after reunification, and Germany's global role.

Students will work with learning partners from the University of Washington Undergraduate Honors Program, Humboldt University-Berlin, and community art and theatre groups in both cities. Through these partnerships, students will incorporate the disciplines of arts, humanities and social sciences which will culminate in both a written web based portfolio and a live performance presented at a public venue in Berlin. This is a unique opportunity to illuminate your interdisciplinary academic research through performance, in real time and space.

Check out the following resources to find out more:

Spring Quarter Component - 2 credit seminar

The first stage of this study abroad program involves a mandatory 2-credit Honors seminar (dates to be determined) during spring quarter 2008. This preparatory seminar will provide students with an interdisciplinary introduction to German culture, crash-course in the German language, history and politics, arts, and urban development. Experts from various departments and the community will engage with students on topics relevant to the Berlin program. Students will also be introduced to the theatre-creation method of Viewpoints training and begin working within small groups. Students will decide on project themes and develop proposals that will orientate them during their time in Berlin.

Summer Component - 13 credits

During the month long summer program, students will focus on researching topics, and explore the city as text - city as art - city as performance. The summer portion will include classroom instruction, guest lectures, theatre and music performances, city walks, museum tours, and weekend excursions that will inform the final projects. University of Washington program directors and Humboldt faculty will lead lectures and excursions.

Participants will be taught and follow theatre-creation methods of Viewpoints training. This method, created and developed by Mary Overlie (Associate Teacher at NYU), Anne Bogart (Theatre Arts Professor at Columbia University), and Tina Landau (Freelance Director and Member of Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago), is an effective technique in making theatrical productions based on ideas and themes. It is accessible to both experienced and inexperienced theatre practitioners.

Through the Viewpoints training method, students will develop research designs that enable them to collaborate within group projects. The format will be one of group learning. The instructors (UW and Humboldt) will introduce an interdisciplinary research framework along with an overview of the key social and cultural issues in Berlin. Student groups will regularly report on preliminary research. Students will work together, collaboratively, both in Seattle and in Berlin.

No performance or playwriting experience is necessary or required. We are seeking students from various backgrounds.

Students will receive 15 credits total (2 credits at UW during spring quarter and 13 in Berlin). Credits will fulfill Honors civilization requirements. Other credits may be applicable depending on individual research project.

Students will be housed in shared apartments (2 students per apartment) near Humboldt University.

Classes will be held on the Humboldt University campus and, more often, the city itself. Students will have guided instruction M-F, with weekends open for study, exploration, and relaxation. There will be opportunities for excursions on the weekends.

Professor Shanga Parker, Department of Drama

Recipient of a distinguished teaching award, heads the Undergraduate Acting Program and teaches Acting and Directing in the PATP and BA programs. He has acted professionally in regional theatres including A Contemporary Theatre, Rites and Reason Theatre, Intiman Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Tacoma Actors Guild, South Coast Repertory, Actor's Theatre of Louisville and at the International Theatre Festival in Sibiu, Romania. He has also directed at the Rites and Reason Theatre, Ball State University and the Public Theatre of Kentucky. Television credits include "Married...with Children", "Family Matters" and "Fresh Prince of Bel Air." He received his training at Brown University and UC/San Diego and is a member of AEA, SAG and AFTRA.

http://uwnews.org/uweek/Awards2006/p/profile.aspx?id=24741

Dr. Julie Villegas, UW Honors Associate Director

Julie did her graduate studies at UC Santa Barbara and at the University of Washington where she earned a PhD in English. Julie is currently the Associate Director of the University Honors Program. Julie's research interests include border identity, national and cultural identity and public policy relating to immigrants. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Mexico, and Guatemala. The UW's Global Citizenship award allowed her to travel to Kenya in the summer of 2007. For the past six years, she has been the Honors Program study abroad coordinator for programs in Europe, Africa, and South America.

This program will cost approximately $3,600 per student. Course costs include accommodations, classroom and library use, field trips and most excursions, admission fees to all museums and exhibits, and some group meals. Course fee does not include an IP&E concurrent enrollment fee ($200); airfare ($1,200-$1,600 roundtrip, depending on when and where you buy your ticket); food (about $40 per day), and personal spending money.

The Financial Aid office can provide student loans for not only the cost of the course, but also travel, food, and other related costs, such as travel after the class is over, provided you are a fulltime student. In addition, short term loans are available to cover pre-travel expenses.

Payment Schedule


Payment Type Payment Amount Payment Due Date
Program Deposit $350 Upon acceptance
Program Fee Payment $500 March 9, 2008
Program Fee Balance $2750 June 1, 2008
IPE Fee $200 June 1, 2008
TOTAL $3,800

IP&E will automatically charge student accounts for all program payments and fees. A limited number of scholarships will be available through IP&E as well as the Honors Office.

Refund Policy

A $350 deposit is required at the time of acceptance. This $350 deposit is non-refundable. Any student withdrawing from the program within 4 months of the program start date will be responsible for a minimum of 25% of the total program fee. In addition, there may be other unrecoverable fixed program costs. Any student withdrawing from the program within 2 months of the program start date will be responsible for 50% of the total program fee. Any student withdrawing from the program within 1 month of the program start date will be responsible for 75% of the total program fee. Withdrawal after a program begins involves the loss of the entire program fee.

Once accepted to the program in order to formally withdraw, you must do the following, in writing:

  1. Contact the program directors.
  2. Submit a signed withdrawal form to the UW Office of International Programs and Exchanges (see http://ipe.washington.edu/forms/WithdrawDefer.pdf).
  3. Provide notice in writing to the program director that you will no longer be participating in the program for which you have signed a contract and accepted a slot.
  4. Your withdrawal date is considered the date (business day) your withdrawal paperwork is received by the UW Office of International Programs and Exchanges.

To Berlin

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from Berlin. You may wish to explore budget fares offered on websites such as Travelocity and Expedia, as well as STA and Council Travel in the University district.

In Berlin

Students and instructors will be making several day-excursions. Students will also have opportunities to travel on their own for two or three day-jaunts.

All participants must have a passport valid for the duration of the program. It may take as long as six weeks (or longer!) to obtain or renew a passport.

Application Deadline: February 22, 2008

Selection to the program is competitive and acceptance into the program will be decided based on application materials, interviews, and student's demonstrated motivation to challenge themselves intellectually across academic disciplines and cultures and to work both individually and in groups.

For more information, please contact: