Uni-Tübingen

Summer School July

June 21 - July 19, 2025

“Weaponization of Knowledge: The Historical Legacy of Propaganda and Disinformation in the US and Abroad”
In cooperation with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

The program at a glance

Program overview

Spend an unforgettable summer in one of Germany's most beautiful university towns!

  • Engaging Academic Program: Take courses led by distinguished UNC faculty and renowned experts from the University of Tübingen, offering high-quality education in various fields
  • Excursion to Berlin: Discover the vibrant heart of Germany on a three-day trip to Berlin, packed with guided tours, history, and excitement
  • German Language Courses: Deepen your language skills in immersive German classes
  • Buddy Program: Connect with local students, experience authentic student life, and make friends from around the world.
  • Social Events & Receptions: Celebrate with Welcome and Farewell Receptions, plus a range of social activities to enrich your summer experience

Dates

  • June 21 - July 19, 2025 (4 weeks)
  • Arrival: Saturday, June 21
  • Farewell Evening: Friday, July 18
  • Departure: Saturday, July 19

Application

  • Application is possible all year long upon availability of places
  • An early application until February 2025 is recommended

Course Schedule

Academic Program

Many of us have heard the phrase “knowledge is power.” The moto is said to have originated with Francis Bacon, a philosopher from the 16th and early 17th centuries famous for creating the scientific method. Thomas Jefferson was also fond of the concept, using it to underscore the idea that an informed citizenry is crucial for the success and stability of a democratic society. But what if we thought about the relationship between knowledge and power differently? In this class, we will explore how those in power create knowledge and understand how what counts as knowledge is used to maintain their political position. By learning sociological frameworks to question knowledge and reality, this class will then use that theory to study applied cases of weaponized knowledge throughout history in the United States and Germany. As students learn foundational concepts and visit museums related to the subject matter, they will develop an array of communication strategies for distinct situations and specific audiences. 

This course will also include a weekend excursion to Berlin to visit the Stasi Museum and the Topography of Terror Documentation Center

Admission

The summer school is open for 12 students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 12 students from other universities. The course is designed for undergraduate students from all academic disciplines with a strong general interest in cultures, Europe and Germany in particular. Preference is given to applicants from a partner university. 

A very good command of English and the willingness to actively participate during course activities are required.

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Max. participants: 24 

Please note: Participants in the Summer School will not be enrolled as students of the University of Tübingen.

Program Fee

  • Further information will follow

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.

Further information

Social Program

The social program includes cultural activities as well as social gatherings such as a welcome and farewell reception, an intercultural evening, and making pretzels.

You will get the chance to experience German culture, explore Tübingen and its surroundings - a perfect chance get to know your classmates and Tübingen students better and have fun together.