T-IES Winter School 2024
Academic Program
The Winter School comprises subject courses, a German language course (A1-A2) and intercultural workshop. Students can choose in the application form between subject courses of Track (A) or Track (B). The courses and excursions are compulsory for all participants within the Winter School.
Schedule (printable PDF)
Subject courses
Track (A) "Of Values and Virtues: Europe, Diversity, and the Question of Identity"
Instructors: Geoffrey Goddard, Lucas Ogden, Dr. Germana Favognano-Bihr
Language of instruction: English
Contact hours: 48 (plus field trip and exam)
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: religious freedom, humanism, and civic virtue. 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 and war.
Syllabi
Course 1: Baden-Württemberg: Cradle of European Values
Course 2: Religion and the Challenge of European Identity
Course 3: Human Rights, Minority Rights, and Migration in Europe Today
Track (B) "Representing the European Past: Memory and Place-Making in Cross-Cultural Communities"
Instructors: Oleg Morozov, Lana Balorda, Ana Clara Alves
Language of instruction: English
Contact hours: 48 (plus field trips and exam)
Course description
This program 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. Sessions will deal with what makes us remember some things while other facets of our lives and historical events are supressed or hard to recollect. How does what we remember (and what we - choose to - forget) structure the reality that we live in - symbolically, physically, and politically? How is the past used (or abused) to serve the present needs of individuals and collectives in Europe today, where different concepts of identity oftentimes clash with the reality of cosmopolitan communities that are both ethnically and culturally diverse.
Syllabi
Course 1: Culture of Remembrance in the EU: Representing the Traumatic Past
Course 2: Europe as a Memoryland: Selective memory and place-making practices
Language and culture
German language courses
Instructors: N.N.
Language of instruction: German
Contact hours: 18
Course description
The Winter School includes German language courses on the proficiency levels A0-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: Beginners (A1-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
Instructors: Franziska Krauße-Wang
Language of instruction: English
Contact hours: 8
Course Description
In the intercultural workshop at the beginning of the program, students have the opportunity to get to know each other and exchange their intercultural experiences as well as expectations. The workshop offers an introduction to intercultural communication and the opportunity to reflect on the stay abroad.
Syllabus