T-IES June 2024

Instructors: Jan Battke, Dr. Germana Favognano-Bihr
Language of instruction: English
Contact hours: 48 (plus field trip and exam)

Course Description

This program focuses on the importance of freedom of expression as a basic human right and as a core value of democratic societies in Europe today. Main questions are: How is freedom of expression under attack in Europe? What is populism and why is it a threat to democracy? What is the nature and intention of hate speech? How far should freedom of expression go? Courses will rely on various scientific perspectives to focus on the challenges that European societies face, especially populist parties, and movements.

Syllabi

Course 1: The Right to Disagree: Human Rights and Freedom of Expression in Europe Today (Dr. Germana Favognano-Bihr)

Course 2: The EU and its Multiple Crises (Jan Battke)

Instructors: Dr. Simon Meisch, Mani Hamidi
Language of instruction: English
Contact hours: 48 (plus field trip and exam)

Course Description

Against the backdrop of the increasing importance of environmental hazards, social media and artificial intelligence (AI) today, this program deals with two main questions: what constitutes good societies in Europe (and elsewhere) in the 21st century and how can we protect our communities from breaking apart due to increasing environmental and technological pressure?. Using nature (and what we can still learn from it to benefit our human societies) as a starting point, classes introduce bees as nature's key species to illustrate the many environmental predicaments of our time. Bees are also inspiring civic engagement at the local level in favour of different forms of more sustainable and inclusive relationships that can bolster strong human communities. Furthermore, participants will analyze anti-European online discourses on social media in order to strengthen their own media literacy, especially regarding the ability to detect possible AI-induced mis- and disinformation which threaten solidarity among the various groups of modern societies.

Syllabi

Course 1: Bees, Sustainability and Society (Dr. Simon Meisch)

Course 2: AI and the EU - Articifial Intelligence in Europe Today (Mani Hamidi)

Instructors: N.N.
Language of instruction: German
Contact hours: 18

Course description

The Summer School includes German language courses on the proficiency levels A1-A2. Participation in the German language course is compulsory. The level of the language courses will depend on students' needs. 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.

Students with a level higher than A2 are also welcome to apply. Please contact the T-IES team after your application to discuss possible participation in the German course or alternatives.

Syllabi

German language course: Beginners (A1)

German language course: Elementary (A2)

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 Workshop: A course titled “Thriving in Tübingen: Learning and Practicing Self-Care in an Intercultural Setting” that prepares participants for the very diverse setting in which all classes take place.

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.