Gießener Zentrum Östliches Europa (GiZo) - Master Interdisciplinary Studies on Eastern Europe (English Option)

Fortsetzung des Aufbaukurses I. Die Studenten sollen das Sprachniveau B2 besitzen und in der Lage sein, über den üblichen Alltag, Arbeit und Studium hinaus auch über aktuelle Ereignisse, Pläne und Erlebtes zu berichten. Die grammatischen Gebiete wie im GK II + III und Aufbaukurs I, sowie verschiedene Zahlwörter, Konditional, Imperativ, Partizipien und Deklination der Personalpronomen sollten beherrscht werden.

Der erfolgreiche Abschluss des Aufbaukurses I ist Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an diesem Kurs. Besprochen werden Themen, wie Umwelt, Tourismus, Stadtleben. Weiterentwickelt wird sowohl die mündliche als auch die schriftliche Ausdrucksfähigkeit. Hinsichtlich der grammatischen Themen wird Konditional und Imperativ behandelt.

Im Kurs werden relevante landeskundliche Themen behandelt, die sowohl russischsprachige Länder im Allgemeinen als auch interkulturelle Fragen betreffen.

Der erfolgreiche Abschluss der Veranstaltung Tschechisch IV ist Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an "Aufbaukurs II". Quereinsteiger*innen melden sich bitte beim Veranstaltungsleiter.
V tomto kurzu opakujeme různé kapitoly z české gramatiky, čteme texty a osvojujeme si nová slova z různých tématických okruhu. Cvičíme také poslech pomocí auditivních a adiovizuálních nahrávek. Kurz je založen na učebnici olomoucké univerzity "Czech it up" CI z roku 2019. Univerzitní knihovna JLU má několik exemplářů.
Během letního semestru se budeme zabývat těmito tematickými kapitolami: Člověk pracující, Život pracovní a soukromý, Partnerství a rodina.
Učební materiál: Hradilová, Darina; Bednáříková, Božena et al. 2020. Czech it up. Čeština pro cizince. C1. Olomouc.
Kurz je součástí učebního programu, který připravuje na zkoušku UNIcert II.

Der Aufbaukurs gibt die Möglichkeit, in Absprache mit den Studierenden
Kapitel der Grammatik zu wiederholen und zu vertiefen sowie Fach- und literarische Texte zu
bearbeiten. Ziele: Vertiefung der bereits erworbenen grammatischen Kenntnisse, Aneignung
von Wissen zu diversen Themen des aktuellen Lebens in der Ukraine (Bildungswesen, politisches
System etc.) sowie Kenntnis von literarischen Schlüsseltexten aus dem 20. und 21. Jahrhundert.

Na seminaru će romani i filmovi biti analizirani kao narativi te će biti riječi o sastavnicama tih narativa, likovima, mjestu i vremenu radnje, tehnikama pripovijedanja te filmskim izražajnim sredstvima kojima je postignuta adaptacija književnog djela u film. Također, analizirajući narative adaptacija, obuhvatit ćemo društvenu stvarnost prikazanu u filmovima i staviti naglasak na način prikazivanja društvenih problema, odnosno na to donosi li adaptacija novo (i moguće) drukčije gledište na sociopolitičku situaciju te implikacije koje kroz eventualne promjene u mediju i narativu izlaze na vidjelo.

Sehr gute Kenntnisse der polnischen Sprache (mindestens B1) sind Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an diesem Kurs. In diesem Kurs werden ausgewählte Texte der polnischen zeitgenössischen Literatur gelesen und diskutiert. Besprochen werden auch Literaturverfilmungen. Die Studenten werden auch die schriftliche Ausdrucksfähigkeit weiterentwickeln.

Dieser Kurs richtet sich an Master- und Lehamttudierende. Im Kurs werden die anspruchvolleren Themen der russischen Grammatik vertieft behandelt.

Der erfolgreiche Abschluss der Veranstaltung Tschechisch IV ist Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an "Konversation und schriftlicher Ausdruck II". Quereinsteiger*innen melden sich bitte beim Veranstaltungsleiter.
V tomto kurzu probereme každý týden jeden klasik české kinematografie. Každý semestr je věnován filmům z konkretního období. Cílem kurzu je seznamení se s českým filmovým kanonem a zlepšení ústní a písemné komunikační schopnosti studujících. Na filmy se každý studujíci dívá doma a odpovídá na předem rozdané otázky ke každému filmu.
Kurz je součástí učebního programu, který připravuje na zkoušku UNIcert II.

In der Veranstaltung sollen die mündlichen und schriftlichen Ausdrucksfähigkeiten weiterentwickelt werden. Grundlage hierzu bilden ukrainische Filme und Texten. Deren Diskussion und handlungsorientierten Analyse erfolgt anhand von vorgegebenen Fragen, die schriftlich beantwortet werden und als Grundlage für die mündliche Auseinandersetzung dienen. Ziel ist die Fähigkeit, den Inhalt von ukrainischen Filmen/Texten wiederzugeben, deren Themen zu diskutieren, historisch einzuordnen und den eigenen Standpunkt dazu zu erläutern. Bei der Auswahl der Filme/Texte handelt es sich um Schlüsselwerke aus dem 20. und 21. Jahrhundert.

Ausgehend von Andreas Kappeler grundlegender Studie soll für den Zeitraum vom 17. Bis zum 19. Jahrhundert der Wandel des Bildes der Ukraine vom Land der Kosaken zum Land der Bauern nachvollzogen werden. Dazu gehört zunächst eine Verständigung über die Kategorien Frontier und Banditen. Dann kann das Studium westlicher Chronisten und Kartographen beginnen. Ereignisgeschichtlich steht dabei neben dem Chmel’nyc’kyj-Aufstand (1648-1654) auch der Seitenwechsel Mazepas von Peter I. zu Karl XII. (1709) auf dem Programm.
Im Interesse des interdisziplinären GiZo-Programms wird die Veranstaltung multilingual angeboten. Fremdsprachliche Quellen liegen auch in deutscher und englischer Übersetzung vor.

Based on Andreas Kappeler's fundamental study, the transformation of Ukraine's image from a land of Cossacks to a land of peasants will be traced from the 17th to the 19th century. This first requires an understanding of the categories of frontier and bandits. Then the study of Western chroniclers and cartographers can begin. In terms of historical events, the program will cover not only the Khmelnytsky Uprising (1648-1654) but also Mazepa's change of allegiance from Peter I to Charles XII (1709).
In the interest of the interdisciplinary GiZo program, the course is offered in multiple languages. Foreign-language sources are also available in German and English translations.

Literatur: Kappeler, Andreas: Die Kosaken. Geschichte und Legenden München 2013; ders.: Vom Land der Kosaken zum Land der Bauern Die Ukraine im Horizont des Westens vom 16. bis 19. Jahrhundert. Böhlau Verlag, Wien 2020; Plokhy, Serhii: The Cossack Myth. History and Nationhood in the Age of Empires. Cambridge 2012.

Ausgehend von Andreas Kappeler grundlegender Studie soll für den Zeitraum vom 17. Bis zum 19. Jahrhundert der Wandel des Bildes der Ukraine vom Land der Kosaken zum Land der Bauern nachvollzogen werden. Dazu gehört zunächst eine Verständigung über die Kategorien Frontier und Banditen. Dann kann das Studium westlicher Chronisten und Kartographen beginnen. Ereignisgeschichtlich steht dabei neben dem Chmel’nyc’kyj-Aufstand (1648-1654) auch der Seitenwechsel Mazepas von Peter I. zu Karl XII. (1709) auf dem Programm.
Im Interesse des interdisziplinären GiZo-Programms wird die Veranstaltung multilingual angeboten. Fremdsprachliche Quellen liegen auch in deutscher und englischer Übersetzung vor.

Based on Andreas Kappeler's fundamental study, the transformation of Ukraine's image from a land of Cossacks to a land of peasants will be traced from the 17th to the 19th century. This first requires an understanding of the categories of frontier and bandits. Then the study of Western chroniclers and cartographers can begin. In terms of historical events, the program will cover not only the Khmelnytsky Uprising (1648-1654) but also Mazepa's change of allegiance from Peter I to Charles XII (1709).
In the interest of the interdisciplinary GiZo program, the course is offered in multiple languages. Foreign-language sources are also available in German and English translations.

Literatur: Kappeler, Andreas: Die Kosaken. Geschichte und Legenden München 2013; ders.: Vom Land der Kosaken zum Land der Bauern Die Ukraine im Horizont des Westens vom 16. bis 19. Jahrhundert. Böhlau Verlag, Wien 2020; Plokhy, Serhii: The Cossack Myth. History and Nationhood in the Age of Empires. Cambridge 2012.

Dear students,
Please note: this seminar begins on June 5, 2026. The registration is open. More information will follow soon!

Ausgehend von Andreas Kappeler grundlegender Studie soll für den Zeitraum vom 17. Bis zum 19. Jahrhundert der Wandel des Bildes der Ukraine vom Land der Kosaken zum Land der Bauern nachvollzogen werden. Dazu gehört zunächst eine Verständigung über die Kategorien Frontier und Banditen. Dann kann das Studium westlicher Chronisten und Kartographen beginnen. Ereignisgeschichtlich steht dabei neben dem Chmel’nyc’kyj-Aufstand (1648-1654) auch der Seitenwechsel Mazepas von Peter I. zu Karl XII. (1709) auf dem Programm.
Im Interesse des interdisziplinären GiZo-Programms wird die Veranstaltung multilingual angeboten. Fremdsprachliche Quellen liegen auch in deutscher und englischer Übersetzung vor.

Based on Andreas Kappeler's fundamental study, the transformation of Ukraine's image from a land of Cossacks to a land of peasants will be traced from the 17th to the 19th century. This first requires an understanding of the categories of frontier and bandits. Then the study of Western chroniclers and cartographers can begin. In terms of historical events, the program will cover not only the Khmelnytsky Uprising (1648-1654) but also Mazepa's change of allegiance from Peter I to Charles XII (1709).
In the interest of the interdisciplinary GiZo program, the course is offered in multiple languages. Foreign-language sources are also available in German and English translations.

Literatur: Kappeler, Andreas: Die Kosaken. Geschichte und Legenden München 2013; ders.: Vom Land der Kosaken zum Land der Bauern Die Ukraine im Horizont des Westens vom 16. bis 19. Jahrhundert. Böhlau Verlag, Wien 2020; Plokhy, Serhii: The Cossack Myth. History and Nationhood in the Age of Empires. Cambridge 2012.

Dear students,
Please note: this seminar begins on June 5, 2026. The registration is open. More information will follow soon!

Categorization as a conclusion drawn from phenomenological similarity is the driving force in cognitive processes and shapes the grammatical system of human language as well as the expressive use of language in literature. The seminar will consider different forms of similarity like coincidence, cooccurence, comparison, allegory and metaphor, starting from auditive similarities like case syncretism in language or rhyme in literature, going over to visual-observable shared features like epigraphy in writing or length of sentences in prose, finally analysing complex metaphorical transfers like grammatical tense respectively density of description. The phenomena will be discussed on the material of Ukrainian language and literature, both in original and in translation. The seminar will serve as a platform for discussing the interplay of language as a system, expression as an intention, and medium as their manifestation. Knowledge of a (preferably East) Slavic language is not mandatory, but intensive interest in linguistics and literature are expected.

Categorization as a conclusion drawn from phenomenological similarity is the driving force in cognitive processes and shapes the grammatical system of human language as well as the expressive use of language in literature. The seminar will consider different forms of similarity like coincidence, cooccurence, comparison, allegory and metaphor, starting from auditive similarities like case syncretism in language or rhyme in literature, going over to visual-observable shared features like epigraphy in writing or length of sentences in prose, finally analysing complex metaphorical transfers like grammatical tense respectively density of description. The phenomena will be discussed on the material of Ukrainian language and literature, both in original and in translation. The seminar will serve as a platform for discussing the interplay of language as a system, expression as an intention, and medium as their manifestation. Knowledge of a (preferably East) Slavic language is not mandatory, but intensive interest in linguistics and literature are expected.

Fortsetzung des Aufbaukurses I. Die Studenten sollen das Sprachniveau B2 besitzen und in der Lage sein, über den üblichen Alltag, Arbeit und Studium hinaus auch über aktuelle Ereignisse, Pläne und Erlebtes zu berichten. Die grammatischen Gebiete wie im GK II + III und Aufbaukurs I, sowie verschiedene Zahlwörter, Konditional, Imperativ, Partizipien und Deklination der Personalpronomen sollten beherrscht werden.

Der erfolgreiche Abschluss des Aufbaukurses I ist Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an diesem Kurs. Besprochen werden Themen, wie Umwelt, Tourismus, Stadtleben. Weiterentwickelt wird sowohl die mündliche als auch die schriftliche Ausdrucksfähigkeit. Hinsichtlich der grammatischen Themen wird Konditional und Imperativ behandelt.

Im Kurs werden relevante landeskundliche Themen behandelt, die sowohl russischsprachige Länder im Allgemeinen als auch interkulturelle Fragen betreffen.

Der erfolgreiche Abschluss der Veranstaltung Tschechisch IV ist Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an "Aufbaukurs II". Quereinsteiger*innen melden sich bitte beim Veranstaltungsleiter.
V tomto kurzu opakujeme různé kapitoly z české gramatiky, čteme texty a osvojujeme si nová slova z různých tématických okruhu. Cvičíme také poslech pomocí auditivních a adiovizuálních nahrávek. Kurz je založen na učebnici olomoucké univerzity "Czech it up" CI z roku 2019. Univerzitní knihovna JLU má několik exemplářů.
Během letního semestru se budeme zabývat těmito tematickými kapitolami: Člověk pracující, Život pracovní a soukromý, Partnerství a rodina.
Učební materiál: Hradilová, Darina; Bednáříková, Božena et al. 2020. Czech it up. Čeština pro cizince. C1. Olomouc.
Kurz je součástí učebního programu, který připravuje na zkoušku UNIcert II.

Der Aufbaukurs gibt die Möglichkeit, in Absprache mit den Studierenden
Kapitel der Grammatik zu wiederholen und zu vertiefen sowie Fach- und literarische Texte zu
bearbeiten. Ziele: Vertiefung der bereits erworbenen grammatischen Kenntnisse, Aneignung
von Wissen zu diversen Themen des aktuellen Lebens in der Ukraine (Bildungswesen, politisches
System etc.) sowie Kenntnis von literarischen Schlüsseltexten aus dem 20. und 21. Jahrhundert.

Na seminaru će romani i filmovi biti analizirani kao narativi te će biti riječi o sastavnicama tih narativa, likovima, mjestu i vremenu radnje, tehnikama pripovijedanja te filmskim izražajnim sredstvima kojima je postignuta adaptacija književnog djela u film. Također, analizirajući narative adaptacija, obuhvatit ćemo društvenu stvarnost prikazanu u filmovima i staviti naglasak na način prikazivanja društvenih problema, odnosno na to donosi li adaptacija novo (i moguće) drukčije gledište na sociopolitičku situaciju te implikacije koje kroz eventualne promjene u mediju i narativu izlaze na vidjelo.

Sehr gute Kenntnisse der polnischen Sprache (mindestens B1) sind Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an diesem Kurs. In diesem Kurs werden ausgewählte Texte der polnischen zeitgenössischen Literatur gelesen und diskutiert. Besprochen werden auch Literaturverfilmungen. Die Studenten werden auch die schriftliche Ausdrucksfähigkeit weiterentwickeln.

Dieser Kurs richtet sich an Master- und Lehamttudierende. Im Kurs werden die anspruchvolleren Themen der russischen Grammatik vertieft behandelt.

Der erfolgreiche Abschluss der Veranstaltung Tschechisch IV ist Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an "Konversation und schriftlicher Ausdruck II". Quereinsteiger*innen melden sich bitte beim Veranstaltungsleiter.
V tomto kurzu probereme každý týden jeden klasik české kinematografie. Každý semestr je věnován filmům z konkretního období. Cílem kurzu je seznamení se s českým filmovým kanonem a zlepšení ústní a písemné komunikační schopnosti studujících. Na filmy se každý studujíci dívá doma a odpovídá na předem rozdané otázky ke každému filmu.
Kurz je součástí učebního programu, který připravuje na zkoušku UNIcert II.

In der Veranstaltung sollen die mündlichen und schriftlichen Ausdrucksfähigkeiten weiterentwickelt werden. Grundlage hierzu bilden ukrainische Filme und Texten. Deren Diskussion und handlungsorientierten Analyse erfolgt anhand von vorgegebenen Fragen, die schriftlich beantwortet werden und als Grundlage für die mündliche Auseinandersetzung dienen. Ziel ist die Fähigkeit, den Inhalt von ukrainischen Filmen/Texten wiederzugeben, deren Themen zu diskutieren, historisch einzuordnen und den eigenen Standpunkt dazu zu erläutern. Bei der Auswahl der Filme/Texte handelt es sich um Schlüsselwerke aus dem 20. und 21. Jahrhundert.

The course introduces students to key theories of subject formation in the context of migration, with a particular focus on intersectionality and East-West migration in contemporary Europe. Drawing on postmigrant and subjectivation theories, cultural and media studies, and selected German-language literary texts, students analyze how subject positions are produced, negotiated, and contested along the axes of gender, class, and racialization. The seminar is bilingual: the lecturer’s input and the discussions in class will be held in English, but German reading comprehension is required, as most of the primary texts are in German (such as, Bokowski, Paul (2022): Schlesenburg. München: btb; Gorelik, Lena (2022): Wer wird sind. Hamburg: Rowohlt Taschenbuch; Smechowski, Emilia (2017): Wir Strebemigranten. Berlin: Hanser Berlin; Toxische Pommes (2024): Ein schönes Ausländerkind. München: btb). The final term paper can be written in English or German.

The course introduces students to key theories of subject formation in the context of migration, with a particular focus on intersectionality and East-West migration in contemporary Europe. Drawing on postmigrant and subjectivation theories, cultural and media studies, and selected German-language literary texts, students analyze how subject positions are produced, negotiated, and contested along the axes of gender, class, and racialization. The seminar is bilingual: the lecturer’s input and the discussions in class will be held in English, but German reading comprehension is required, as most of the primary texts are in German (such as, Bokowski, Paul (2022): Schlesenburg. München: btb; Gorelik, Lena (2022): Wer wird sind. Hamburg: Rowohlt Taschenbuch; Smechowski, Emilia (2017): Wir Strebemigranten. Berlin: Hanser Berlin; Toxische Pommes (2024): Ein schönes Ausländerkind. München: btb). The final term paper can be written in English or German.

Language is both an instrument in societal and political conflict situations and itself the object of such conflicts. As an instrument in the sense of rhetoric and propaganda, language is a key factor in the intensification of socio-political conflicts. Languages become the object of conflicts when, for example, their status as an official language or minority language is disputed. Furthermore, languages become objects of conflict in standardisation processes when issues of alphabet, norms or codification are addressed. These diverse relationships between language and conflict are the topic of the seminar. After a theoretical and methodological introduction to linguistic conflict research, the focus will be on Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Depending on the students' areas of interest, other Eastern European countries will also be covered, such as Croatia and Serbia. Using the tools of linguistic conflict research, we will analyse different types of language conflicts.

Categorization as a conclusion drawn from phenomenological similarity is the driving force in cognitive processes and shapes the grammatical system of human language as well as the expressive use of language in literature. The seminar will consider different forms of similarity like coincidence, cooccurence, comparison, allegory and metaphor, starting from auditive similarities like case syncretism in language or rhyme in literature, going over to visual-observable shared features like epigraphy in writing or length of sentences in prose, finally analysing complex metaphorical transfers like grammatical tense respectively density of description. The phenomena will be discussed on the material of Ukrainian language and literature, both in original and in translation. The seminar will serve as a platform for discussing the interplay of language as a system, expression as an intention, and medium as their manifestation. Knowledge of a (preferably East) Slavic language is not mandatory, but intensive interest in linguistics and literature are expected.

The course introduces students to key theories of subject formation in the context of migration, with a particular focus on intersectionality and East-West migration in contemporary Europe. Drawing on postmigrant and subjectivation theories, cultural and media studies, and selected German-language literary texts, students analyze how subject positions are produced, negotiated, and contested along the axes of gender, class, and racialization. The seminar is bilingual: the lecturer’s input and the discussions in class will be held in English, but German reading comprehension is required, as most of the primary texts are in German (such as, Bokowski, Paul (2022): Schlesenburg. München: btb; Gorelik, Lena (2022): Wer wird sind. Hamburg: Rowohlt Taschenbuch; Smechowski, Emilia (2017): Wir Strebemigranten. Berlin: Hanser Berlin; Toxische Pommes (2024): Ein schönes Ausländerkind. München: btb). The final term paper can be written in English or German.

Categorization as a conclusion drawn from phenomenological similarity is the driving force in cognitive processes and shapes the grammatical system of human language as well as the expressive use of language in literature. The seminar will consider different forms of similarity like coincidence, cooccurence, comparison, allegory and metaphor, starting from auditive similarities like case syncretism in language or rhyme in literature, going over to visual-observable shared features like epigraphy in writing or length of sentences in prose, finally analysing complex metaphorical transfers like grammatical tense respectively density of description. The phenomena will be discussed on the material of Ukrainian language and literature, both in original and in translation. The seminar will serve as a platform for discussing the interplay of language as a system, expression as an intention, and medium as their manifestation. Knowledge of a (preferably East) Slavic language is not mandatory, but intensive interest in linguistics and literature are expected.

Fortsetzung des Aufbaukurses I. Die Studenten sollen das Sprachniveau B2 besitzen und in der Lage sein, über den üblichen Alltag, Arbeit und Studium hinaus auch über aktuelle Ereignisse, Pläne und Erlebtes zu berichten. Die grammatischen Gebiete wie im GK II + III und Aufbaukurs I, sowie verschiedene Zahlwörter, Konditional, Imperativ, Partizipien und Deklination der Personalpronomen sollten beherrscht werden.

Der erfolgreiche Abschluss des Aufbaukurses I ist Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an diesem Kurs. Besprochen werden Themen, wie Umwelt, Tourismus, Stadtleben. Weiterentwickelt wird sowohl die mündliche als auch die schriftliche Ausdrucksfähigkeit. Hinsichtlich der grammatischen Themen wird Konditional und Imperativ behandelt.

Im Kurs werden relevante landeskundliche Themen behandelt, die sowohl russischsprachige Länder im Allgemeinen als auch interkulturelle Fragen betreffen.

Der erfolgreiche Abschluss der Veranstaltung Tschechisch IV ist Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme an "Aufbaukurs II". Quereinsteiger*innen melden sich bitte beim Veranstaltungsleiter.
V tomto kurzu opakujeme různé kapitoly z české gramatiky, čteme texty a osvojujeme si nová slova z různých tématických okruhu. Cvičíme také poslech pomocí auditivních a adiovizuálních nahrávek. Kurz je založen na učebnici olomoucké univerzity "Czech it up" CI z roku 2019. Univerzitní knihovna JLU má několik exemplářů.
Během letního semestru se budeme zabývat těmito tematickými kapitolami: Člověk pracující, Život pracovní a soukromý, Partnerství a rodina.
Učební materiál: Hradilová, Darina; Bednáříková, Božena et al. 2020. Czech it up. Čeština pro cizince. C1. Olomouc.
Kurz je součástí učebního programu, který připravuje na zkoušku UNIcert II.

Der Aufbaukurs gibt die Möglichkeit, in Absprache mit den Studierenden
Kapitel der Grammatik zu wiederholen und zu vertiefen sowie Fach- und literarische Texte zu
bearbeiten. Ziele: Vertiefung der bereits erworbenen grammatischen Kenntnisse, Aneignung
von Wissen zu diversen Themen des aktuellen Lebens in der Ukraine (Bildungswesen, politisches
System etc.) sowie Kenntnis von literarischen Schlüsseltexten aus dem 20. und 21. Jahrhundert.

The course introduces students to key theories of subject formation in the context of migration, with a particular focus on intersectionality and East-West migration in contemporary Europe. Drawing on postmigrant and subjectivation theories, cultural and media studies, and selected German-language literary texts, students analyze how subject positions are produced, negotiated, and contested along the axes of gender, class, and racialization. The seminar is bilingual: the lecturer’s input and the discussions in class will be held in English, but German reading comprehension is required, as most of the primary texts are in German (such as, Bokowski, Paul (2022): Schlesenburg. München: btb; Gorelik, Lena (2022): Wer wird sind. Hamburg: Rowohlt Taschenbuch; Smechowski, Emilia (2017): Wir Strebemigranten. Berlin: Hanser Berlin; Toxische Pommes (2024): Ein schönes Ausländerkind. München: btb). The final term paper can be written in English or German.

The course introduces students to key theories of subject formation in the context of migration, with a particular focus on intersectionality and East-West migration in contemporary Europe. Drawing on postmigrant and subjectivation theories, cultural and media studies, and selected German-language literary texts, students analyze how subject positions are produced, negotiated, and contested along the axes of gender, class, and racialization. The seminar is bilingual: the lecturer’s input and the discussions in class will be held in English, but German reading comprehension is required, as most of the primary texts are in German (such as, Bokowski, Paul (2022): Schlesenburg. München: btb; Gorelik, Lena (2022): Wer wird sind. Hamburg: Rowohlt Taschenbuch; Smechowski, Emilia (2017): Wir Strebemigranten. Berlin: Hanser Berlin; Toxische Pommes (2024): Ein schönes Ausländerkind. München: btb). The final term paper can be written in English or German.

The course introduces students to key theories of subject formation in the context of migration, with a particular focus on intersectionality and East-West migration in contemporary Europe. Drawing on postmigrant and subjectivation theories, cultural and media studies, and selected German-language literary texts, students analyze how subject positions are produced, negotiated, and contested along the axes of gender, class, and racialization. The seminar is bilingual: the lecturer’s input and the discussions in class will be held in English, but German reading comprehension is required, as most of the primary texts are in German (such as, Bokowski, Paul (2022): Schlesenburg. München: btb; Gorelik, Lena (2022): Wer wird sind. Hamburg: Rowohlt Taschenbuch; Smechowski, Emilia (2017): Wir Strebemigranten. Berlin: Hanser Berlin; Toxische Pommes (2024): Ein schönes Ausländerkind. München: btb). The final term paper can be written in English or German.

Language is both an instrument in societal and political conflict situations and itself the object of such conflicts. As an instrument in the sense of rhetoric and propaganda, language is a key factor in the intensification of socio-political conflicts. Languages become the object of conflicts when, for example, their status as an official language or minority language is disputed. Furthermore, languages become objects of conflict in standardisation processes when issues of alphabet, norms or codification are addressed. These diverse relationships between language and conflict are the topic of the seminar. After a theoretical and methodological introduction to linguistic conflict research, the focus will be on Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Depending on the students' areas of interest, other Eastern European countries will also be covered, such as Croatia and Serbia. Using the tools of linguistic conflict research, we will analyse different types of language conflicts.

Categorization as a conclusion drawn from phenomenological similarity is the driving force in cognitive processes and shapes the grammatical system of human language as well as the expressive use of language in literature. The seminar will consider different forms of similarity like coincidence, cooccurence, comparison, allegory and metaphor, starting from auditive similarities like case syncretism in language or rhyme in literature, going over to visual-observable shared features like epigraphy in writing or length of sentences in prose, finally analysing complex metaphorical transfers like grammatical tense respectively density of description. The phenomena will be discussed on the material of Ukrainian language and literature, both in original and in translation. The seminar will serve as a platform for discussing the interplay of language as a system, expression as an intention, and medium as their manifestation. Knowledge of a (preferably East) Slavic language is not mandatory, but intensive interest in linguistics and literature are expected.

The course introduces students to key theories of subject formation in the context of migration, with a particular focus on intersectionality and East-West migration in contemporary Europe. Drawing on postmigrant and subjectivation theories, cultural and media studies, and selected German-language literary texts, students analyze how subject positions are produced, negotiated, and contested along the axes of gender, class, and racialization. The seminar is bilingual: the lecturer’s input and the discussions in class will be held in English, but German reading comprehension is required, as most of the primary texts are in German (such as, Bokowski, Paul (2022): Schlesenburg. München: btb; Gorelik, Lena (2022): Wer wird sind. Hamburg: Rowohlt Taschenbuch; Smechowski, Emilia (2017): Wir Strebemigranten. Berlin: Hanser Berlin; Toxische Pommes (2024): Ein schönes Ausländerkind. München: btb). The final term paper can be written in English or German.

This seminar examines the dynamics, role and impact of democracy promotion by the EU. The EU's efforts to act as a normative actor both in its neighbourhood and in various regions of the world are appreciated by many actors, but also heavily criticised. The seminar provides an empirical overview, examines related concepts and addresses criticism of the EU against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical conflicts with undemocratic countries.

International organisations are a central element of world politics. They structure international relations in many respects. Their character and their fields of work are very different. The central aim of this seminar is to provide an in-depth introduction to the field of international security organisations. In a first step, the concepts and theories of international organisations will be explained in more detail. In the further course of the seminar, selected security organisations will be analysed in more detail. These are in particular the UN, NATO, the EU, the OSCE, but also selected security organisations from other regions of the world. Methodologically, the seminar is based on joint text discussions, group work and a weekly news corner.

Is NATO undergoing fundamental transformation? This seminar examines the current state and future prospects of the Alliance in light of Russias war against Ukraine, geopolitical rivalry, internal tensions, and shifting global power structures. Focusing on NATO’s institutional development, strategic adaptation, and core tasks, the course also compares the security and defense policies of key member states, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland. Students will analyse how domestic politics, strategic culture, and geopolitical position shape national perspectives within the Alliance.

Artificial intelligence, especially large language models, which can be found in many digital applications, including social media apps, is omnipresent – and usually without us realizing it. Discussions in the political public sphere are now clearly influenced by them, with the visualization of certain political content, but also doxxing, swarming and other forms of discrimination and agitation playing an increasing role. The seminar aims to explore the question of what is meant by a functioning democratic public space, how AI programs can be understood and how technical tendencies influence democratic processes.

This seminar examines the dynamics, role and impact of democracy promotion by the EU. The EU's efforts to act as a normative actor both in its neighbourhood and in various regions of the world are appreciated by many actors, but also heavily criticised. The seminar provides an empirical overview, examines related concepts and addresses criticism of the EU against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical conflicts with undemocratic countries.

International organisations are a central element of world politics. They structure international relations in many respects. Their character and their fields of work are very different. The central aim of this seminar is to provide an in-depth introduction to the field of international security organisations. In a first step, the concepts and theories of international organisations will be explained in more detail. In the further course of the seminar, selected security organisations will be analysed in more detail. These are in particular the UN, NATO, the EU, the OSCE, but also selected security organisations from other regions of the world. Methodologically, the seminar is based on joint text discussions, group work and a weekly news corner.

Is NATO undergoing fundamental transformation? This seminar examines the current state and future prospects of the Alliance in light of Russias war against Ukraine, geopolitical rivalry, internal tensions, and shifting global power structures. Focusing on NATO’s institutional development, strategic adaptation, and core tasks, the course also compares the security and defense policies of key member states, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland. Students will analyse how domestic politics, strategic culture, and geopolitical position shape national perspectives within the Alliance.

According to the IPCC, Southern Africa is among those regions worldwide, most vulnerable to climate change impact. Consequences can be observed already by drought, extreme weather, etc., in many parts seasons are shifting with consequences to agriculture, water security and modes of sociation. Climate change is not just one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. As anthropogenic climate change, it emerges from economic, political, and social conditions. It is thus impacting on social institutions, cultural self-understanding, and political and economic development. This class traces the social and cultural dimension of climate change with focus on Botswana and South Africa, two societies in the Southern African region that struggle with the diverse impact of climate change. The class will refer to the expertise of various guest speakers from collaborating universities in the region.

"Conflict is an inherent part of pluralistic societies. Wherever groups of people with different interests, opinions and identities come together, conflict is likely to arise. That is not per se a problem. On the contrary, conflict can fulfil important societal and democratic functions: It can strengthen group integration, spark social change and is part and parcel of a healthy democracy.
In these times of multiple, overlapping crises, however, societal conflict only seems to intensify: Debates are growing increasingly heated, positions appear irreconcilable, and citizens from different social and political groups start seeing each other in terms of “us” versus “them”. This raises the question of how to deal with such group-based conflict in democracy and society.
In this seminar, we take a closer look at the dynamics behind different types of conflict and explore how to deal with its more harmful variants. In the first part of the seminar, we study both classic theories of conflict and some contemporary applications, for example in the context of growing (affective) polarisation. In the second part, we then discuss different approaches to coping with conflict in democracy and society, drawing on perspectives from political theory, sociology, and social psychology. "

According to the IPCC, Southern Africa is among those regions worldwide, most vulnerable to climate change impact. Consequences can be observed already by drought, extreme weather, etc., in many parts seasons are shifting with consequences to agriculture, water security and modes of sociation. Climate change is not just one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. As anthropogenic climate change, it emerges from economic, political, and social conditions. It is thus impacting on social institutions, cultural self-understanding, and political and economic development. This class traces the social and cultural dimension of climate change with focus on Botswana and South Africa, two societies in the Southern African region that struggle with the diverse impact of climate change. The class will refer to the expertise of various guest speakers from collaborating universities in the region.

"Conflict is an inherent part of pluralistic societies. Wherever groups of people with different interests, opinions and identities come together, conflict is likely to arise. That is not per se a problem. On the contrary, conflict can fulfil important societal and democratic functions: It can strengthen group integration, spark social change and is part and parcel of a healthy democracy.
In these times of multiple, overlapping crises, however, societal conflict only seems to intensify: Debates are growing increasingly heated, positions appear irreconcilable, and citizens from different social and political groups start seeing each other in terms of “us” versus “them”. This raises the question of how to deal with such group-based conflict in democracy and society.
In this seminar, we take a closer look at the dynamics behind different types of conflict and explore how to deal with its more harmful variants. In the first part of the seminar, we study both classic theories of conflict and some contemporary applications, for example in the context of growing (affective) polarisation. In the second part, we then discuss different approaches to coping with conflict in democracy and society, drawing on perspectives from political theory, sociology, and social psychology. "

According to the IPCC, Southern Africa is among those regions worldwide, most vulnerable to climate change impact. Consequences can be observed already by drought, extreme weather, etc., in many parts seasons are shifting with consequences to agriculture, water security and modes of sociation. Climate change is not just one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. As anthropogenic climate change, it emerges from economic, political, and social conditions. It is thus impacting on social institutions, cultural self-understanding, and political and economic development. This class traces the social and cultural dimension of climate change with focus on Botswana and South Africa, two societies in the Southern African region that struggle with the diverse impact of climate change. The class will refer to the expertise of various guest speakers from collaborating universities in the region.

The seminar explores current conflicts about climate change and about the measures implemented to mitigate its acceleration and effects. We will examine such conflicts with regards to different arenas and actors – ranging from the transnational to the local – as well as with respect to different forms of conflicts – ranging from litigation and parliamentary debates to protests and online disputes.

"Conflict is an inherent part of pluralistic societies. Wherever groups of people with different interests, opinions and identities come together, conflict is likely to arise. That is not per se a problem. On the contrary, conflict can fulfil important societal and democratic functions: It can strengthen group integration, spark social change and is part and parcel of a healthy democracy.
In these times of multiple, overlapping crises, however, societal conflict only seems to intensify: Debates are growing increasingly heated, positions appear irreconcilable, and citizens from different social and political groups start seeing each other in terms of “us” versus “them”. This raises the question of how to deal with such group-based conflict in democracy and society.
In this seminar, we take a closer look at the dynamics behind different types of conflict and explore how to deal with its more harmful variants. In the first part of the seminar, we study both classic theories of conflict and some contemporary applications, for example in the context of growing (affective) polarisation. In the second part, we then discuss different approaches to coping with conflict in democracy and society, drawing on perspectives from political theory, sociology, and social psychology. "

Seit 2014 unterhält das IfS kontinuierlich ein Austauschprogramm mit der School of Social Sciences an der North-West University in Südafrika. Vor allem Studierende, aber auch Lehrende, sind Teil dieses Austauschs. Sie werden mit Erfahrungen mitunter radikaler Andersheit im Alltag, in den kulturellen Selbstverständlichkeiten und auch im akademischen Selbstverständnis im Rahmen von Lehre und Forschung konfrontiert. In bald anderthalb Jahrzehnten haben sich hier reichhaltige Erfahrungen angesammelt, die bislang nicht ausgewertet wurden. Das Seminar beabsichtigt genau dies zu tun und wird hier praktische qualitative Forschung in Form von Interviews mit Alumni und Anwärter/innen des Austauschprogramms durchführen und diese auswerten.

According to the IPCC, Southern Africa is among those regions worldwide, most vulnerable to climate change impact. Consequences can be observed already by drought, extreme weather, etc., in many parts seasons are shifting with consequences to agriculture, water security and modes of sociation. Climate change is not just one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. As anthropogenic climate change, it emerges from economic, political, and social conditions. It is thus impacting on social institutions, cultural self-understanding, and political and economic development. This class traces the social and cultural dimension of climate change with focus on Botswana and South Africa, two societies in the Southern African region that struggle with the diverse impact of climate change. The class will refer to the expertise of various guest speakers from collaborating universities in the region.

The seminar explores current conflicts about climate change and about the measures implemented to mitigate its acceleration and effects. We will examine such conflicts with regards to different arenas and actors – ranging from the transnational to the local – as well as with respect to different forms of conflicts – ranging from litigation and parliamentary debates to protests and online disputes.

"Conflict is an inherent part of pluralistic societies. Wherever groups of people with different interests, opinions and identities come together, conflict is likely to arise. That is not per se a problem. On the contrary, conflict can fulfil important societal and democratic functions: It can strengthen group integration, spark social change and is part and parcel of a healthy democracy.
In these times of multiple, overlapping crises, however, societal conflict only seems to intensify: Debates are growing increasingly heated, positions appear irreconcilable, and citizens from different social and political groups start seeing each other in terms of “us” versus “them”. This raises the question of how to deal with such group-based conflict in democracy and society.
In this seminar, we take a closer look at the dynamics behind different types of conflict and explore how to deal with its more harmful variants. In the first part of the seminar, we study both classic theories of conflict and some contemporary applications, for example in the context of growing (affective) polarisation. In the second part, we then discuss different approaches to coping with conflict in democracy and society, drawing on perspectives from political theory, sociology, and social psychology. "

Seit 2014 unterhält das IfS kontinuierlich ein Austauschprogramm mit der School of Social Sciences an der North-West University in Südafrika. Vor allem Studierende, aber auch Lehrende, sind Teil dieses Austauschs. Sie werden mit Erfahrungen mitunter radikaler Andersheit im Alltag, in den kulturellen Selbstverständlichkeiten und auch im akademischen Selbstverständnis im Rahmen von Lehre und Forschung konfrontiert. In bald anderthalb Jahrzehnten haben sich hier reichhaltige Erfahrungen angesammelt, die bislang nicht ausgewertet wurden. Das Seminar beabsichtigt genau dies zu tun und wird hier praktische qualitative Forschung in Form von Interviews mit Alumni und Anwärter/innen des Austauschprogramms durchführen und diese auswerten.