Tentative Program Dates: Mid-July to End-July, 2026

The overarching purpose of this course is to provide students with a better understanding of the origins and nature of totalitarianism, focusing particularly on 20th century Nazi and Soviet forms of totalitarianism. To this end, after acclimating in Munich, we will travel to Nuremberg, Germany, where we will visit sites such as the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, and then on to Berlin with its abundance of museums, memorials, and cultural and historical sites of interest, where we will spend the majority of the time. Our journey will be informed by philosophical and literary analyses of Nazi and Soviet totalitarianism, such as Hannah Arendt’s, The Origins of Totalitarianism, Elie Wiesel’s Night, as well as texts by Christa Wolf and Paul Celan, among others. We will compare and contrast philosophical and literary approaches to the topic; ponder the limits of our ability to adequately understand and memorialize the terrors of totalitarian government; and discuss connections between 20th century totalitarianism and the anti-democratic, authoritarian tendencies of the current, global political landscape.

What is Included:

Accommodations, ground transportation, international health insurance, and group activities.

What is NOT Included:

Airfare, tuition (3 credits), travel insurance, most meals, and personal expenses. 

Students are responsible for purchasing their international airfare to and from the program destination(s). Students should not purchase their flight until receiving specific instructions from the faculty leaders after December 1.

 **Passport Requirement** 

Deadline: December 1, 2025

Student with a Valid Passport: 

Students who have a current passport will need to upload an image of their passport by December 1, 2025 to their enrollment forms.

Student without a Valid Passport

Apply for or renew your passport immediately. After November 1, students must pay to expedite the application process. Do not delay beginning this process.

Application & Renewal Website: 

The routine processing time is currently up to 6 weeks and expedited services is up to 3 weeks. These processing times are subject to change and can lengthen significantly. We highly recommend applying for or renewing your passport as soon as possible. Most countries require at least 6 months remaining time on your passport expiration from your intended date of departure. Example: If your passport expires December 1, 2026, you would need to renew your passport to travel in the summer 2026. 

**Preparing for Travel** 

Travel and Entry Requirements: U.S. State Department Website: 

Each country has established entry requirements and travel restrictions set for foreign visitors and their citizens. Any country can change their regulations at any time. We encourage all students and their families to review details about the country or countries you plan to travel to and to continue monitoring the information leading up to your departure. 

U.S. State Department Website: Germany