This class will explore a queer history of Berlin in the twentieth
century. We will look at ways in which lesbians, gay men, trans people
and others lived, gathered, and challenged and re-shaped norms around
sexuality and gender – as well as how understandings of different
identities have changed over time. This is a global history understood
through the local: we will think about how the unique culture of Berlin
has been shaped by migrants, travellers, and transnational intellectual
and activist exchange.
Through research with both primary and
secondary sources, participants will work together to develop an
annotated map to tell historical stories connected to particular places.
Participants in this workshop will gain:
-
knowledge of LGBTQ+ lives in twentieth century Berlin, and of some of
the social, cultural and political structures created by queer people
- an understanding of some key concepts in queer history
- experience in working with primary sources and familiarity with key archives
- experience in collaborative research and writing.
Key texts and classroom
discussion will be in English. Some primary sources and additional
readings will be in German but German proficiency is not essential.
- Kursleiter:in: Louise Thatcher