Academic Program

Dr. Philipp Kneis, Oregon State University

In the aftermath of the Second World War, for the first time in European history, former enemies created a political union in order to coordinate their economic and political activities. Over the past decades, this unique cooperation of sovereign nation states gradually led to the emergence of a supranational political system. We will talk about the historical, cultural and political framework of European Integration, and set up the discussion of current political challenges such as democratic deficit, political fragmentation and radicalization, immigration, and foreign policy challenges.

Dr. Allison Davis-White Eyes, Oregon State University

This course is an introduction to the history and trajectory of human rights, which have always also been understood as minority rights. Both the Genocide Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are answers to two World Wars and the Holocaust. One of the critical discourses of that time was the examination of the status of refugees, as theorized by Hannah Arendt. More contemporary discussions of the topic by Giorgio Agamben and Nancy Fraser point to the necessity of understanding the human dimensions of displacement and the status of refugees, which oftentimes pose a challenge to the definitions of national identity. This will be discussed in the context of recent migrations within and towards Europe.

Jan Battke, University of Tübingen

In June of 2016, in a crucial referendum, a majority of British voters expressed their will to leave the European Union (EU), a decision that sent shock waves around the world, dividing various groups of modern society. The so called "Brexit" is seen as one major example of the resurgence of nationalism at the expense of supranationalism and regional integration. Despite the already visible effects of a potential Brexit, by the end of 2019 the United Kingdom (UK) is still a EU member state and the EU's recently elected new European Parliament and Commission seem more eager to tackle common challenges - such as climate change and both left- and right-wing populism - together. This course will take a closer look at the "new" EU, the dynamics of Brexit politics, and how both are linked to the EU's supposed crisis and to the more general issue of democratic accountability and legitimacy  with which societies grapple in Europe in particular and, in general, in a globalized world.

Cristina Popescu, University of Tübingen

The European Union has continuosly been used as an example of successful economic integration. Nevertheless, in spite of its success in integrating the member states' econonomies, the European Union has experienced numerous crises such as brain drain, the debt crisis, and finally a loss of confidence in the economic merits of its integration. This course will handle the process of economic integration, the economic crises of the European Union and finally its future prospects.

The Summer School includes three parallel German language courses on proficiency levels A1-B2. Participation in the German language course is compulsory. The level of the language courses will depend on student's needs. Each course comprises 15 contact hours and 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 Language Course: Beginners
• German Language Course: Intermediate
• German Language Course: Upper-Intermediate

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. For further details on the six levels see the following document: CEFR

Intercultural Competence

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 an 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.

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 an 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.