Fachbereich 04: Geschichts- und Kulturwissenschaften - Durchführung der Veranstaltung: fremde Unterrichtssprache - Englisch

The interdisciplinary seminar will explore the regularities, which can be observed in different historical and linguistic settings when speakers of different languages come into contact, deliberately or forced. The historical scenarios, we will study, can be chosen according to the interests of the participants, as long as a Slavic language within Eastern Europe is included. Examples for such historical settings include 1. educational and/ or culturally authoritative languages of elites in relation to vernacular languages in the Middle Ages resp. Early Modern times (Latin, Greek) resp. Modern times (French, 17/18th. c.), 2. interlingual and intercultural adventures of travelling merchants in Early Modern times to Czech, Poland, or Russia (since the 15th c.), 3. language identity and societal diversity: the case of Polish and German in Poland (since 16th c.), 4. language contact and religious confessions in the borderland: Polish and Ruthenian (= Middle Ukrainian, 17th c.), 5. language and political power: the conflict between Ukrainian and Russian (19th + 20th c.). In our first session (Oct 22th, 2026) participants will be asked which historical topic they suggest for inclusion into the seminar plan; we also will decide then on the main working language of the seminar (German, English or bilingual sessions).

Zum Weiterlesen

Bömelburg, Hans-Jürgen/ Kersken, Norbert (ed.): Mehrsprachigkeit in Ostmitteleuropa (1400-1700). Kommunikative Praktiken und Verfahren in gemischtsprachigen Städten und Verbänden (= Tagungen zur Ostmitteleuropa-Forschung; 37), Marburg 2020.

Dubisz, Stanisław/ Stąpor, Izabela (2008) (ed.): Wielojęzyczność. Kontakty językowe w rozwoju kultur słowiánskich. Pułtusz: Akademia humanistyczna im. Aleksandra Gieysztora.

Dursteler, Eric R. (2012): Speaking in Tongues: Language and Communication in the Early Modern Mediterranean. // Past & Present 217, 47-77.

Häberlein, Mark/ Flurschütz da Cruz, Andreas (ed.): Die Sprachen der Frühen Neuzeit Europäische und globale Perspektiven. Köln 2024.

Makartsev, Maxim/ Wahlström, Max (2016) (ed.): In Search of the Center and Periphery: Linguistic Attitudes, Minorities, and Landscapes in the Central Balkans. Helsinki: Univ. (= Slavica Helsingiensia 49)

Paulston, Christina Bratt/ Peckham, Donald (ed.) (1998): Linguistic Minorities in Central and Eastern Europe.

Clevedon, Philadelphia, Toronto, Sydney, Johannesburg: Multilingual Matters. (= Multilingual Matters 109)

Salverda, Reinier (2018): Empires and their Languages: Reflections on the History and the Linguistics of Lingua Franca and Lingua Sacra. // Braarvig, Jens/ Geller, Markham J. (ed.): Multilingualism, Lingua Franca and Lingua Sacra. Berlin: Pro Business Printing, 13-78. (= Max Planck Research Library for the History and Development of Knowledge Studies 10)

Seals, Corinne A. (2020): Choosing a Mother Tongue. The Politics of Language and Identity in Ukraine. Bristol: Multiligual Matters. (= Multilingual Matters 169)

“Denominational culture and Confession – Interdisciplinary perspectives”. Under this heading, the significance of confession for identity formation in different areas of life will be examined. The programme will include lectures, impulses and discussions with experts from various research disciplines. The language of the event is English. Awarding ECTS credits for participation in combination with an appropriate proof of achievement is possible.
Seven sessions on the topic: Denominational culture and Confession – Interdisciplinary perspectives
1. (22.10.2026) Denomination and confession in history (Prof. Dr. Athina Lexutt, Gießen)
The confession of Jesus as the risen Christ is at the heart of Christian faith. Over time, this has been reformulated over and over and supplemented with further theological conclusions. Complex relationships and diverse experiences are condensed into concise formulations and memorable sentences. Internal reassurance and external demarcation have become increasingly important over time. Are confessions therefore crisis phenomena? And to what extent is the connection between confession and baptism constitutive?
2. (05.11.2026) Religion and confession from a cultural studies perspective (Prof. Dr. Frank Thomas Brinkmann, Gießen)
Even if religious confession appears to be more of a private matter, characteristics reminiscent of confessional traditions can be found elsewhere. In a diverse society, there seems to be a continuing desire to belong to something larger than the individual, e.g. through corporate design.
3. (19.05.2026) Trust and confession in business (Prof. Dr. Alexander Dietz, Heidelberg)
Numbers play an important role in economic activity. This gives the appearance of great objectivity and rationality. On the other hand, trust is also important for business to function successfully: those who engaged in trade trust that the price and goods are in reasonable proportion to each other, that the goods will be delivered and the money paid. In addition, the way markets are structured also matters: Free market, social market economy, state-controlled economy are models based on different principles. It is also a matter of trust in the functioning and performance of a given market structure. To what extent can we speak here of a confession (or commitment)?
4. (03.12.2026) Denomination and milieu in sociological description (Prof. Dr. Gert Pickel, Leipzig)
The ‘denominational milieu’ has been a recurring theme in historical and theological research. To what extent do these religious and, above all, denominational characteristics continue to have an impact on a society that considers itself as ‘secular’?
5. (17.12.2026) Confession and law (Dr. Julianne Funk, Marburg)
Freedom of religion is one of the fundamental human rights. It can even serve as a yardstick for measuring how liberal a society and a legal system are overall. At the same time, relevant religious content can come into conflict with established legal systems. To what extent can we speak of a constructive tension here? How should such limits be defined?
6. 14.01.2027) From religious peace to liberal democracy – political aspects (Prof. Dr. Tomás Kodácsy, Sárospatak)
Democracy and republics depend on the consent of those involved. In this respect, to what extent can this be described as a confession? Can aspects be identified in which a mutual influence between religious confession and democratic consciousness is recognizable?
7. (28.01.2027) Denomination and confessing – church and society: conclusions for the present age and mentality (Dr. Mario Fischer, Bensheim)
Church and religious denominations are currently facing many challenges. Considering the different topics of the lectures: Perhaps there is still a persistent religious base beneath all the secular phenomena, not least confessing. And how can the inevitable changes open up new possibilities for the church.