T-IES August 2027

Instructors: Dr. Germana Favognano-Bihr, Lucas Ogden
Language of instruction: English
Contact hours: 40 (plus field trips)

Course Description

The past years have seen the EU facing a lot of criticism from various sides and a plethora of challenges threaten the community - internally and externally - and what held its societies together for a long time. In this program, students examine the fundamental notions at the heart of what Europe stands for: pluralism, democracy, fundamental human rights, and the rule of law. Furthermore, courses cover the current challenges Europe and the EU face today: the rise of nationalism; political fragmentation and radicalization; migration, religion and questions of identity.

Course 1: “The Struggle for Human Rights in Europe: Common Goals and Current Challenges” (Dr. Germana Favognano)
Course 2: “Religion and the Question of Identity in Europe” (Lucas Ogden)
 

Instructors: Jan Battke, Dr. Oleg Morozov
Language of instruction: English
Contact hours: 40 (plus field trips)

Course Description 

This study track first focuses on the historical, political, and societal dynamics of European Integration and how these processes of regional integration and collective identity formation are linked to and shape some of the most urgent crises Europe and the EU face today: Brexit, Euroscepticism, populism, political fragmentation and radicalization. It then delves into the political processes entailed in remembering and forgetting, introduces students to the commemorative landscape of the EU and explores possible solutions to the challenges facing European collective memory or what could be called Europe's culture of remembrance. How does what we remember (and what we - choose to - forget) structure the reality that we live in - symbolically, physically, and politically?

Course 1: “The EU and the Polycrisis. A Story of Sovereignty and Democracy” (Jan Battke)
Course 2: “Culture of Remembrance in the EU: Representing the Traumatic Past” (Dr. Oleg Morozov)
 

The Summer School August includes two parallel German language courses on proficiency levels A0 (no German knowledge) and A1-A2 (beginners). Participation in the German language course is compulsory. The courses will be taught by qualified instructors of the Department of German as a Foreign Language and Intercultural Programs. Through an intercultural and communicative approach students will be actively involved in class to encourage language learning. The focus will be on speaking and listening to improve students' language competence in everyday situations.

German courses cannot be offered for participants with a higher German language level (B1-C1). For those participants we will offer the possibility of independently carrying out project work (or similar) in German in consultation with the T-IES team. 

Self-assessment

Within the application form you will be asked to evaluate your German language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The European framework of reference distinguishes between six different reference levels of knowledge from the elementary use of language (A1) to the autonomous language ability (C2). On all reference levels “can-do” descriptors indicate what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level. 

Intercultural Workshop: An intercultural workshop will give participants an introduction to intercultural communication and the chance to reflect on their study abroad experience.

Buddy Program: To support you during your stay in Tübingen and to promote an intercultural exchange we have set up a Buddy Program in which a student of the University of Tübingen teams up with a T-IES participant. The Buddy Program aims to initiate a cultural exchange between international students and the Tübingen students, to expand one’s own cultural horizon, as well as the strengthening of intercultural skills and competences. The Buddy Program will allow you to get to know German student life first-hand and to make friends.