Lexia in Berlin introduces students to the wide variety of visual and cultural encounters in Berlin, from the collections of images housed in its numerous museums and galleries, to its breadth of architecture that has shaped the city’s identity. As the site of a number of movements in visual culture, from Dada and photomontage to film propaganda, it is a perfect place to explore the role of the visual in cultural understanding.

Students will synthesize their research from their Visual Culture Seminar into an original inquiry cultivated in their Research Methods Seminar. Their inquiry will culminate in their Visual Research Project. Students will research and produce a body of work which could take the form of painting, photography, video, architecture, or the performative arts. Students pursue their independent, self-designed project with a faculty member or professional who serves as advisor for the project.

No prior knowledge of German is required, as all courses are taught in English. However, intensive language training is provided, thereby helping students develop the skills and confidence to live, study, and conduct research in a foreign setting. Social and academic encounters with German students, as well as organized field trips, all contribute to a greater understanding of Germany during this ongoing period of political, economic and social transition in Central and Eastern Europe.