IB History and M.A.D. Cultural Trip to Germany Berlin, October th May 2015

IB Philosophy History and International Mindedness... an education for international-mindedness; an education designed to breakdown the barriers of race, religion and class; an education that extolled the benefits of cultural diversity; above all else, an education for peace. (George Walker 2011: 19) Emphasis in all IB programmes on promoting global engagement, multilingualism and intercultural understanding. The DP history course is designed in such a way as to explicitly reinforce the emphasis on the development of international-mindedness. Key concept is perspectives, and, more specifically, an emphasis on encouraging students to appreciate multiple perspectives. All students are required to study case studies and examples from different regions of the world, with comparison of such examples helping to ensure that the course adopts a transnational perspective.

Guided Tour of the Streets of Berlin

DDR Museum “The DDR Museum is Berlin's interactive museum and one of the most-visited attractions in the German capital. History comes dynamically alive as the visitor is given a first-hand introduction to life in the first Socialist state on German soil. See, touch, feel and experience the actual conditions of a long- defunct system. Unique artefacts, futuristic technology and a prize- winning design transform a museum visit into a great journey back in time.” -

Cold War Walk

TV Tower Visit With almost 1.2 million visitors every year, the Berlin TV tower is one of the most popular attractions for tourists in Berlin. From a height of 207 metres high you can look out over the entire city with its large number of tourist attractions such as the Reichstag (Parliament building), the Brandenburg Gate and the Main Railway Station from here, as well as the Olympic Stadium, Museum Island (Museumsinsel) and the Potsdam Square (Potsdamer Platz). -

Stasi Prison in East Berlin The site of the main prison for people detained by the former East German Ministry of State Security (MfS), or 'Stasi', has been a Memorial since The prison operated between 1945 and The museums aim is to create a critical awareness of the methods and consequences of political persecution and suppression in the communist dictatorship. Since the vast majority of the buildings, equipment and furniture and fittings have survived intact, the Memorial provides a very authentic picture of prison conditions in the former German Democratic Republic. It is the key site in Germany for victims of communist tyranny. In 2010, 332,000 tourists visited the Memorial and over half of these visitors were students. Tours of the prison are usually led by former inmates, who provide first-hand details on prison conditions and the interrogation methods employed by the GDR's Ministry of State Security (MfS). -

Jewish Museum of Berlin The Jewish Museum Berlin is one of the most spectacular museum buildings in Germany. Since the beginning it has been a magnet for the public, attracting 350,000 people even as an empty shell before it opened in fall The architecture was undoubtedly the cause for this initial popularity. The permanent historical exhibition leads you on a journey of discovery through two millennia of German Jewish history. The exhibition covers an area of over 3,000 m², is regularly updated, and contains numerous interactive elements and media stations. Historico- cultural temporary exhibitions, contemporary art installations, and showcase presentations on a wide range of topics enrich the permanent exhibition. History-Museum/00-founding-museum.php

Reichstag Dome Visit The German Bundestag is elected by the German people and is the forum where differing opinions about the policies the country should be pursuing are formulated and discussed. The most important tasks performed by the Bundestag are the legislative process and the parliamentary scrutiny of the government and its work. The Members of the German Bundestag also decide on the federal budget and deployments of the Bundeswehr (Federal Armed Forces) outside Germany. Another important function performed by the Bundestag is the election of the German Federal Chancellor. The roof terrace and dome of the Reichstag Building can be visited by members of the public, and offer spectacular views of the parliamentary and government district and Berlin’s sights. -

Wannsee Conference House On January 20, 1942, high-ranking members of the SS, the police force, the government administration and the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (the NSDAP or Nazi party) met to discuss the “final solution of the Jewish question” in the Villa Minoux on the Greater Wannsee, the guesthouse of the Security Police and the Security Service SD. Since 1992, the memorial and educational site has had a permanent exhibition in the Wannsee Conference’s historical rooms, with a specialised library and a sophisticated set of pedagogical tools at the visitor’s disposal: tours of the exhibition accompanied by discussions, small group work in the exhibition rooms and the library, seminars held for one or more days. erinnerung.de/en/institutions/institutions_liste/house_of_the_ wannsee_conference_memorial_and_educational_site/

Museum Island The Museum Island in Berlin is the northern tip of the Spree Island - and it is also a magnificent work of art itself, involving five world-renowned museums gathered in an extraordinary ensemble. The many oustanding exhibits include the Nefertitit and the Pergamon frieze. Since 1999, the museum complex in the city centre of Berlin has been the only architectural and cultural ensemble that is considered part of UNESCO world heritage. - island

Munich Guided Walking Tour Munich is home to many national and international authorities, major universities, major museums and theaters. Its numerous architectural attractions, international sports events, exhibitions, conferences and Oktoberfest attract considerable tourism. Since 2006, the city's motto has been "München mag dich" ("Munich loves you"). Munich runs a fast and reliable public transport system. It is a centre of finance, publishing and advanced technologies.