Research Proposal

Project Proposal for Ich Bin Berliner

Abstract:

We propose to find the factors that shape Berlin identity as well as those that complicate the definition of a clear perception of self in Berlin. Group members will conduct detailed research in architecture, youth, East/West integration, East German goods, and advertising. Together, we will link the threads of identity as it is manifested in these topics. Ultimately, Berlin will be a case study in a greater understanding of urban identity itself.

Collective identity is the values, beliefs, and self-perception of a group. Benedict Anderson defined a nation as an imagined political community; similarly, we define a collective identity as an imagined community to which individuals choose to belong. Berlin would be an ideal place to study identity, since it is a cohesive, functioning city though its identity has been in flux for the past century. German and immigrant history has also significantly shaped the Berlin identity. We wish to unravel what factors make Berlin unique, and reveal interactions between different social spheres.

Background:

Context:

The international community today consists of many countries with diverse and integrated populations, such as the United States. Though the US holds many cultures, they are mixed into a semi-homogenous society. Germany and Berlin are unique in that they have yet to reach this stage though they do in fact have cultural diversity. Berlin could be seen as the “salad bowl” whose ingredients haven’t mixed in. Since these groups have not fused, we can study where and how boundaries prevent mixture. Each of our projects places a different piece into the identity puzzle by exploring youth, architecture, East German goods, advertising, East/West integration.

Studying youth will give us insight into when integration might occur, whether in the near or far future. Youth represent change. Youth are thus especially relevant to Berlin, a city that has undergone so much transformation. Berlin is unique because today’s youth have grown up in a world without the Berlin wall whereas their parents have its memory. Understanding youth identity in relation to the Wall will give a broader picture of identity of the current city, if history continues to shape identity of the city, and, since youth form future generations, the potential identity of the city in a few decades. Studying Berlin youth will thus create windows into the past, present, and future of the city’s identity. Youth are also an essential part of understanding conflict in Berlin, since I will be able to see if divides are deep enough to break the connections of youth, innocence, and progress.

Problems:

My biggest problem during the beginning of research was embracing such a large topic: though I was very entranced by it, I could not put my arms all the way around it. Narrowing my focus is an important issue and limitation, though it could be a great benefit. I believe that my topic may evolve mainly for this reason.

Other challenges we faced included the nature of the topic itself. Identity is not clear-cut; it is subtle, broad, and beneath the surface of what the average Berliner thinks about on an everyday basis. Thus, it was a challenge for us to find tangible ways in order to research an intangible topic. It will be a challenge in Berlin to employ the right dynamic when researching.

Research Question:

Prano:

My subtopic is identity of Berlin youth. Specifically, how has the identity of the generation born after 1989 formed in relation to the fall of the Berlin wall? If every individual has many layers to their identity, one layer of these Berlin youth must include their youth and the fact that they, unlike the older generations, grew up without directly experiencing the Berlin wall. I wish to probe individual identities of Berliners born after 1989 in order to understand whether they are ruled by this sphere of separation, or if they are more loyal to their national, ethnic, or religious sphere. Does the memory of the wall still manifest itself in their lives? If so, it may be a testament to the significance of the wall and its lasting effects on Berlin as a whole. If not, perhaps it shows change brought by time or resilience of the city.

Wladimir Kaminer wrote in Russian Disco, “Nothing is the real thing here, and everyone is at the same time himself and someone else” (89). Is this statement true for the youth of Berlin, and, if so, how do they reconcile these separate identities? If Turkish youth are seen as Turkish, might they still consider themselves German? I want to characterize identity by looking at the manifold identities of each individual. It is tempting but untrue, however, to believe that German youth are tossed by the tides of their surroundings without a strict say. Indeed, the German word for youth’s tendency to assert themselves is “Selbstbehauptung” (Yates). Thus, I believe that primary identity is the meta-identity: how the youth see themselves.

By understanding youth identities, I will be able to see which walls have been built, and which have been torn down. In how many dimensions do Berlin youth undergo Andreas Glaeser’s “experience of otherness” (8)? A study extrapolated identity from a Stylized Turkish German language, noting that in those who use neither standard German nor a mother tongue “a youth identity of deviance and otherness is presented” (112). Is there still a wall between East and West Berlin youth? If so, is it the old wall of their parents or a new wall formed after the end of the concrete wall? Are there new walls between the immigrant and native German youth, or are there rebels and outcasts that do not conform to any identity? What about the walls of imposed identity? In Fatih Akin’s Head On, a dizzying junction of imposed identities motivates the (ultimately tragic) actions of the young characters. Is the common collective nature of youth identity able to tear down the “wall in the heads of the people” (Ladd, 30)? Through all of their individual diversity, youth of Berlin have a deeply layered collective identity that I want to explore, identify, and connect to Berlin’s urban identity.

Research Methods:

Prano:

Case studies and interviews: immigrant youth, native German affluent youth, and non-affluent youth. These methods will give me the opportunity to observe German youth in a natural, noninvasive environment. I will hopefully be able to converse and observe their attitude towards identity and related topics. The questions will not be direct necessarily. Here I observe Zeisel’s ideas of dynamically and variably intrusively observing environmental behavior, as a recognized outsider, and a range of marginal versus full participant (marginal in brief interviews, full in case studies).

Observations: these will be observations of art, space, and people that inherently reveal something about identity. According to Zeisel, this observation is intended to “find reflection of previous activity not produced”. Within his context, I’ll try to look for connections, separations, and displays of self through personalization, identification, group membership, public messages, and illegitimate displays such as graffiti. Instead of design decisions, I will look for the context of Berlin, city as space, and city as an identity. I will be a secret outsider, hopefully not too obvious a tourist.

At this point, I do not wish to conduct a written survey because I do not think it would accurately represent identity since people do not usually think about identity so directly.

My main limitation is that I will not necessarily get an accurate overview of German youth. Biases and assumptions will arise when extrapolating from observations. A challenge will be to find the youth and employ the right dynamic so that they will let me know what they really think.

Cultural Sensitivity:

Prano:

I will select case studies through contacts I establish this summer, and through Manuela. I will also consider Schlesische 27 and other youth groups. I will be very clear in my purpose and intent before beginning to ask questions. I want to befriend youth so that they will be comfortable talking to me, but I must prevent betrayal of friendship trust make my research position clear. To guarantee confidentiality and anonymity, I will not use real names or include personal details in my research conclusions. If necessary, I will create a waiver form for the research participants.

Schedule:

Week 1: find contacts and cases/youth to participate

Week 2: conduct interviews, shadow youth, make observations

Week 3: conduct interviews, shadow youth, make observations, follow more detailed leads

Week 4: draw conclusions, integrate with group

Bibliography

Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities. London: Rutgers UP, 1983. 12 June 2008 .

Eksner, Julia H. Ghetto Ideologies, Youth Identities and Stylized Turkish German. Berlin: Lit Verlag Berlin, 2007. 12 June 2008 .

Glaeser, Andreas. Divided in Unity: Identity, Germany, and the Berlin Police. Chicago: University of Chicago P, 2000. 12 June 2008 .

Head On. Dir. Fatih Akin. DVD. 2004.

Kaminer, Wladimir. Russian Disco. London: Ebury P, 2002.

Ladd, Brian. Ghosts of Berlin. Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1997.

Yates, Miranda, and James Youniss. Roots of Civic Identity: International Perspectives on Community Service. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1999. 12 June 2008 .

Zeisel, John. Inquiry by Design: Tools for Environment-Behavior Research. Cambridge: Cambridge UP. Honors Berlin Site. 12 June 2008

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