In this reflection paper, you are asked to reflect about your learning experience in this class. Here you can build on your padlet reflections. While the padlet reflections focused on the material discussed in the specific weeks, this time you approach the reflection assignment from the overall perspective at the end of the course. What do you want to take with you from our course as you continue your educational journey.  
Make sure that you address all the 3 prompts provided below, write concisely, provide specific examples to support your position and quote properly. Upload your final in the Assignment Box. 
Don’t forget to write in an essay format with an introduction – main body - and conclusions.
Length: 2 to 3 pages text (does not include cover). 1250-1500 words
Prompts: 
1.	Title your reflection paper
2.	When looking at the time period that we covered in class, what are your 3 most favorite “takeaways”  or key lessons you take away from taking this class?  It can be topics we covered, an activity or skill that you practiced …….  or your favorite source –primary, secondary, or multimedia. Remember to explain why you choose the takeaways and elaborate on the significance. (What do they mean to you). 
3.	What was most meaningful to you? (Explain) 

Use the information presented in the following responses to write this essay:

Here are my three key takeaways from this first part of the course:
1.	German unification in 1871 marked the first time in history when all of the territory in modern Germany was controlled by a central government. Before this, each region was controlled by individual dukes, princes, or in rare cases, democratically-elected officials. While the Prussian unification did not homogenize German culture by any means, it united the German states against rivaling powers in subsequent decades.
2.	One important product of the Enlightenment in Germany was an increase in public education. In 1806, elementary schooling was made mandatory in Bavaria under the orders of King Maximillian. In the context of world history, Bavaria was one of the first regions of Europe to introduce mandatory primary education. Furthermore, this education was not administered by parochial schools and taught both boys and girls. While this took decades to implement, an increase in public primary education was one of the first steps toward establishing Germany as a technological and scientific powerhouse in subsequent centuries.
3.	Interestingly, much of the German states and educational system remain unchanged to this day. Today, Germany is a federal republic consisting of states and city-states that are largely delineated based on their historical boundaries. Two of the secondary educational levels that were formed under the German Empire, the Gymnasium and the Realschule, exist in modern Germany; the Gesamtschule, Hauptschule, and Förderschule were added later. Learning about these aspects of the German government and society made me realize that Germany bases much of its government-run systems and laws on historical practices.
My three biggest takeaways from Weeks 4 - 6 of this course are: the cultural shifts during the Weimar Republic, the impact of “racial science” in Nazi Germany, and cultural shifts in post-WWII Germany.

1. The Weimar Republic was an era marked by significant cultural shifts. As Germany transitioned into a democratic state post-WWI, many aspects of German society were preoccupied with innovation, experimentation, and progress. The Weimar Republic saw advancements in several fields such as art, architecture, and film. One of the cornerstones of this changing artistic scene was the opening of the Bauhaus, which revolutionized how we think about architecture and the design of household objects. This cultural ‘golden age’ paved the way for the advent of new technologies, which would play a crucial role in shaping the future of the country.

2. The period of Nazi Germany brought forth the rise of “racial science.” This pseudo-scientific study of race aimed to establish the Aryan race’s superiority over other races, resulting in discriminatory policies and genocide. Also, “racial science” forced scientists to implement ethical codes for human research, which have been widespread ever since.

3. In post-WWII Germany, there was a rediscovery of the value of ethically and methodically sound science and research. Germany underwent extensive cultural shifts and reformation, as nations worked together in the aftermath of the war. One major change included the removal of Nazi-affiliated scientists from their positions assisting war efforts, contributing to a new era of unbiased research focused on humanitarian values.