Das Archiv der ZZF Master Classes seit 2014 finden Sie hier.
ZZF Master Class on GDR History
with Prof. Dr. Andrew Port (Wayne State University)
Date: April 28, 2026, 10 am
Place: Humboldtraum (Leibniz-Institut für Zeithistorische Forschung, Am Neuen Markt 1, 14467 Potsdam)
"Ist die DDR ausgeforscht?" ("Has the history of the GDR been completely researched?") Former ZZF department head Thomas Lindenberger posed this rhetorical question more than a decade ago. With that provocation in mind, this Master Class will explore the phases and trends of historical research about the GDR since 1989-90. To prepare for the seminar and get a better sense of the state of the field, students will read three short overviews of the most recent GDR historiography. In the seminar itself, we will then discuss and debate the various claims put forth in those articles. Themes will include but not be limited to the politicization of GDR history, the challenges of finding new themes and fruitful sources, the most recent trends in GDR historiography, and, last but not least, ideas for where the field might go from here. The discussion should be of interest to those who work on the GDR, those who do not focus on East German history specifically but would like to learn more about the field, as well as those looking for new ideas and impulses for their own work. At the conclusion of the seminar, each student will briefly present and receive feedback on their current PhD project--with a focus on possible research challenges they have been facing.
Program of the day
10 - 10.30 am
Introductions
10.30 am - 12 pm
Discussion of state of field
12 - 1 pm
Lunch Break
1 - 2 pm
Discussion of Individual Graduate Student Projects and Questions