Germany

HIS3721 Cities at War explores the experiences and memories of the people and culture of Berlin during World War II. Students directly engage with the physical, social, cultural, and historical artifacts of Berlin, and thus, social and cultural, as well as military, histories are studied. Students explore the key historical and cultural features of Berlin, including the rise to power of the wartime government, the different groups of city inhabitants and their experiences during wartime, a critical examination of the process of reconstruction, and historical memory/memorializing in a post-war era. On-site and primary source analysis, as well as critical reading, writing and presentation are emphasized; upper division students also complete additional historical thinking components for each assessment that demonstrate appropriate depth and analysis. Students cannot receive credit for both HIS 2721 and HIS3721. Credits: 3

• Live and study at the student center CIEE Global Institute in the central neighborhood of Kreuzberg. Housing includes rooms in double occupancy. Cooking facilities are available for student use.
• Transportation will include local transport: subway, bus or tram.
• The program includes visits to local sites around Berlin.
• Most days will start with a class session and include a local excursion (e.g. a museum, monument, or historic site) in the afternoons. Once per week the group will have a full-day excursion.

This program will have a group round-trip flight from Logan airport in Boston to Berlin, then students will travel by local transport to the program housing.

• A shuttle will leave from campus after graduation on Saturday, May 16.
• At least one program leader will accompany the group on each flight.
• Landmark will offer optional shuttle back to campus at the end of the program.
• Students will have the opportunity to opt out of the group flight and receive a credit to book their own travel.

Considerations

Consider the following to determine if this course is right for your learning style.

Free time/Independence: Variable
This program is highly structured, with a regular daily schedule. During free time, program leaders may offer optional activities. However, students who want to explore independently will have plenty of opportunities to do so.

Physical Demands: Moderate
The program includes some walking in museums and monument sites. The group will use public transportation to get around.

Transitions: Low
The program stays in the same housing for the full three weeks. The schedule of daily activities is regular and does not change throughout the program.

Stimuli: Low
While students will see a variety of sights and experience public transportation in a very large city, it is included in the context of a program with extra supports and guidance to help students navigate successfully.

Prerequisites

This is a 3-credit, 3000-level course and requires the following prerequisites:

• Good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or above)
• WRT1012 and
• One 1000-level History/Religion/Philosophy/Art History/Literature course

OR permission of the department chair, Chaia Flegenheimer.

Academic Director: Brian Cohen, Associate Professor of History

Program Director: Peg Alden, Professor of Liberal Studies; Program Coordinator for B.A. in Liberal Studies

Landmark College’s Global Engagement Scholarship offers a scholarship of up to 50% of the program fee. Scholarships are need-based and on average there is one scholarship available per program.

Applications for the Global Engagement Scholarship for Summer 2026 were due on January 9, 2026. Scholarships are no longer available for the 2026 summer study abroad programs. 

Applications are no longer being accepted for this program.