Munich/Nuremberg/Berlin, Germany – Architecture, Monuments, and Identity in German Cities

Dates: January 5 – 14, 2027

Course Title: GEUR 398 – Architecture, Monuments, and Identity in German Cities

Section Number: 001

Course Description: Students explore German cities asking how and why Germans designed and constructed places and spaces. Attention will be given to architectural intentions and controversies. We will look at sites ranging from Nuremberg's Nazi Congress Hall to Berlin’s former East German Republic People’s Palace. Students will reflect on how architectural and memorial choices materialize Germans' past, present, and future. All sites will be anchored in historical and intellectual contexts. We will discuss contemporary German political debates over the definition of German architecture and its distinctiveness. Students will reflect on how cities contain multiple layers of history, resisting single, simple narratives of the German past. Students will scrutinize the immediate impact of buildings and monuments as cultural artifacts speaking a silent language. 

Instructor: Dr. Michael Mulvey (Europe Center)

Credits: 3 liberal arts credits. All study abroad courses also count as Honors College credits for students in the Honors College. NO SUBSTITUTIONS.

Spring Term Meeting Day/Time: Tuesdays, 5:00–6:50 PM EST (Teams), 1/19/2027–3/9/2027

Travel Dates: January 5–14, 2027

Travel Details: Arrive in Munich / depart Berlin. Public transportation tickets will be distributed for airport transfers.

Accommodation: Shared hotel rooms with en-suite bathrooms (Hotels TBA).

Fees:

Total Program Fee: $2,000.00 (does not include airfare)

This fee includes:

• Airport transfer
• All transportation to field trips and activities
• All field trips, activities, and registration/entrance fees
• Books and course materials
• Hotel accommodation (double, triple, or quad rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
• Select meals (2 dinners)
• Travel insurance

Sample Site Visits

• Munich: Nymphenburg Palace, Hofbräuhaus, Neuschwanstein Palace.
• Nuremberg: Nazi Trials Memorial, Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
• Berlin: Berlin Wall Museum, Checkpoint Charlie, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Reichstag.

Guidelines for All Courses

• Open to all undergraduate LIU students not graduating in December 2026.
• P1, P2, and P3 Pharmacy students are also invited to participate.
• Non-LIU undergraduate students are also welcome to enroll, but must pay the additional charge listed under Understanding Extra Fees below.
• These are spring courses with a travel component before the first day of the spring semester.
• Courses meet no more than 5 times during the semester; students should keep Tuesdays from 5:00-6:50 PM on 1/19/2027–3/9/2027 open.
• Two virtual preparation sessions will be held in November and December prior to travel; these sessions will be recorded for students who cannot attend.
• Courses are typically capped around 22 students, depending on location, with a minimum of 10 students required to run.
• Students must adhere to the conduct rules outlined in the Student Handbook while on all trips.
• If students do not adhere to these rules, they can be expelled from the trip at their own expense.

Travel Requirements

• All participants must carry a valid passport for the entire duration of travel.
• Travel insurance is included in the program fee and is mandatory for all participants.
• Students must comply with all LIU codes of conduct while abroad.
• No visa is required for U.S. citizens for stays under 90 days in France, Germany, or Greece. Non-U.S. citizens should reach out to the Center-specific Director below to discuss travel requirements.
• Passports should have at least six months of validity remaining beyond the return date from the Schengen Area.
• New for 2027 travel: the EU's ETIAS travel authorization is expected to launch in Q4 2026 and become mandatory by approximately April 2027. Students traveling to France, Germany, or Greece should be prepared to apply for ETIAS online before departure (a small fee applies); we will confirm exact requirements closer to travel dates as the EU finalizes its rollout.

Understanding Extra Fees

• $1,307.00 additional charge per credit over 18 for LIU undergraduate students.
• $1,549.00 additional charge per credit over 18 for LIU students in the professional phase of the Pharmacy program.
• $4,450.00 additional charge for non-LIU undergraduate visiting students.

Deadlines

Students must enroll by September 30, 2026, using the registration form (https://forms.office.com/r/bQzkNjfr5g). No deposit is required, but filling out the form is binding, and students are liable for all travel fees.

Registration

Complete the registration form (https://forms.office.com/r/bQzkNjfr5g) by September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM to reserve your place in the course. Submitting the form confirms your commitment to take the course and your acceptance of liability for all associated travel fees.

A member of the Global College team will follow up to enroll you in the correct section; students cannot self-register for these courses through MyLIU. You must be available for the weekly virtual meeting time during the spring semester, as this is a for-credit class. If you have a time conflict due to a mandatory course, a varsity sport, or an LIU artistic requirement, email Gregory.Barton@liu.edu to discuss participating asynchronously through recordings.

If a course is full, you may join the waitlist; if a spot opens, you will be notified by email and given 24 hours to claim it.

Students graduating in December 2026 cannot take these courses. Each course requires a minimum of 10 students to run — please wait for confirmation from the Global College team before booking flights.

Non-LIU students should email Global@liu.edu.

Scholarships

The Study Abroad Fellowship was created to help outstanding students study abroad during their undergraduate careers. The Fellowship is open to all students and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will be evaluated on their application quality, academic merit, extracurricular engagement, and financial need. Please note that the Fellowship is not a complete award and is only meant to supplement the overall cost.

Applications for January travel courses are due by September 15, 2026.

Students will be informed as soon as possible regarding decisions so they can register before the enrollment deadline.

Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/CkM2T3sYev

More Information

Information sessions:

• Post: Wednesday, September 9th from 12:30-1:45 PM in the Gold Coast Cinema (Hillwood Commons)
• Brooklyn: Tuesday, September 8th from 12:30-1:45 PM in the Honors College Lounge (Pratt 310)
• Virtual: Wednesday, September 9th from 6:00-7:00 PM (https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/215021017723521?p=ZJCg9GtyIHfDfuYMF9)
• The recording will be made available to all students via email!

Questions? Contact the Center Director below:

• Dr. Natasha Naujoks, Europe Center Director — Natasha.Naujoks@liu.edu