With the flood of refugees into Germany and Europe, the question of diversity within the continent has never been more important. Although American media has focused on images of Germans greeting arriving refugees with applause, many Germans whose identities do not adhere to the model of the white, straight, Christian German face hardships largely unknown to US audiences and deeply entrenched in the nation’s tumultuous history. This course introduces the cultural make-up of modern Germany and the realities of everyday life for diverse Germans, exploring issues of cultural diversity in their historical contexts. The course will investigate different German identities through literature, film, and social media, including Twitter campaigns and YouTube channels. Grades will be based on short writing assignments, and an essay, a presentation, a mid-term and final exam.