Program Structure

mandatory

680103000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

This module's objective is an introduction to various research methods pertaining to the social sciences. This comprises empirical approaches, methods and instruments. In the evaluation of the students' performance, emphasis is placed on the extent to which they display the following competences:

Thestudents should be able to descriptively account for and define relevant research methods and the contexts of their application. They can, to the extent required by the module and the introduction level, compare and contrast methods as to their applicability and classify them as to their belonging to methodological schools and lines of thoughts. They can give an account of common scholarly criticism and limitations relating to various research questions. They are capable of suggesting appropriate methodological provisions depending on a given research question, and can list key elements of a research design necessary to approach this research question.

Successful completion of the module will allow them to participate in professional debates on the methodological backgrounds of research and to convey their opinion based on the knowledge acquired during the module. Students will be able to display an accurate application of method-related terminology. They get sensitive to potentials and restrictions of various methodological approaches.

Students will learn to organise themselves and their own learning processes, to reflect and decide questions against a broad educational backdrop.

As student group work will be a central part, students will learn to collaborate and to present and analyse problems in a partner or group situation.

Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to, ex-cathedra teaching, classroom discussions, student presentations and different forms of student group work and self-study.

Uwe Puetter

2nd Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Student presentation (extent according to prior agreement) and take-home assignment (3000-4000 words)

mandatory

680112000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Thecourseintroducesstudentstobasicconcepts of cultural and social geography with special regard to examples from different European regions. Starting from a critical reconstruction of Europe as a geographical entity, the course emphasises regional disparities, cultural diversity and current regionalisms within a broader Europe.

Students will gain basic knowledge on the geographical construction, regional disparities and cultural diversity of European spaces. They will have a deeper understanding of current regionalisms.

Students will be able to critically analyse political and media debates on Europe and European regions, with specific attention to cartographic representations of European spaces.

Students will have a deeper understanding of diversity within Europe and European regions. They can relate geographical knowledge to their own personal experiences.

Seminar

Holger Jahnke

Cycle

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

Duration

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written exam (90 min.)

optional

680113000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

The students reflect on topics of European and international art with regard to historical and contemporary aspects (e.g., art production and the art market, art and religion, historically changing artistic representations of nature and landscape, of everyday life, of the relation between the rural and the urban, etc.).

A growing expertise on historical, religious, national and international aspects of art; a critical understanding of the conditions of art production and art reception, combined with the independent capacity to discuss these.

The acquisition and application of critical methods of art reception; the ability to transform matters of knowledge into adequate medial forms of communication.

The ability to decide on a subject matter in groups and to carry out specialisations within the groups; the ability to communicate the processes and results.

Talks, autonomous projects in groups, seminar with excursion

Käthe Wenzel

3^rd or 5^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Oral exam (20 min.)

optional

680114000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

The students know a broad range of possible applications of different arts and media. They are able to compare real or virtual existing scenographies with reference to factual  knowledge, scientific value, aesthetic appearance, reception mode and use. They are also able to invent and to implement new scenographies to convey information and/or to stimulate communication/reflection.

The students are skilled to design illuminating scenographies, to reflect their functionality in order to display scientific information and/or important changes in the history of knowledge.

Students can produce scenographies that transcend the constraints of linguistic meaning and the limitations of written discourse.

Students are able to imagine how different scenographies will be perceived and used by others, how they can initiate and/or supply ongoing processes of knowledge production/distribution.

Research, presentation of concepts and models, teamwork

Hedwig Wagner

3^rd or 5^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Project (extent according to prior agreement). The project combines knowledge about science and science research with the ability to sketch and outline a mediascape with specific display functions.

optional

680115000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Students understand historical and contemporary dimensions of intercultural contact and exchange from transnational or transatlantic perspectives; they develop a critical aware- ness of concepts of cultural identity and alterity in general, and, in particular, of European images as seen from abroad. They are familiar with major theories of transnationalism and are able to assess different approaches to European culture in their relativity and within their specific historical contexts.

Students are able to explain and critically contextualise different concepts, ideologies, and leading principles in transnational and transatlantic relationships with Europe. They share an awareness of global, transnational spaces, as well as of their national encodings, and they have an advanced understanding of cultural difference and relativity.

They are able to identify and critically revise stereotypes and major trends within specific cultural perspectives on Europe. They develop advanced, theory-based understandings of selfhood and alterity that facilitate and promote intercultural competency. Students are able to read historical texts closely and critically and analyse their particular features of language and style.

Students are aware of their own patterns of thinking in terms of identity and difference; they are encouraged to reflect critically on their own reasoning and to contribute to aca- demic discourses in constructive, argumentative ways.

Seminar, short presentations, plenary discussions and group discussions

Birgit Däwes

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written exam (90 min.)

optional

680116000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Students will develop an incisive perception and understanding of the deep transformations that characterise religious phenomena and experiences in contemporary European contexts. They will become familiar with the social, juridical and philosophical implications of these transformations that religion is experiencing in time of globalisation. In this way they will be able to adequately evaluate public discourses concerning the role and position of religion inside European coexistence and to take part in them with a well- founded knowledge.

Students are able to gain and improve the necessary hermeneutical tools in order to adequately contextualise the phenomenon of "religion" within the public and social life of Europe.

From a methodological point of view students become familiar with an interdisciplinary approach (philosophical, juridical and socio-political) to religious phenomena and persuasions in the context of contemporary Europe.

Students are able to deal in an integrative and constructive way with the complexity of social, cultural, and political phenomena within the European public realm. They are able to discuss adequately and at a public level the problems and resources tied to the plural configuration of contemporary societies.

Seminar

Anne Reichold

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written exam (90 minutes) or oral exam (20 minutes) or Oral Presentation (15 min) plus paper (4000-5000 words)

optional

680117000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Students analyse concepts and problems concerning the cultural dimensions of Europe. Students master complex theories of culture and interculturality and are able to analyse aesthetic and rhetorical aspects of the representation of cultural processes, interactions and transformations in Europe.

Students are able to locate, to analyse and to reflect upon theories of culture and interculturality and to analyse artifacts that are paradigmatic for European cultures. They are familiar with major epistemic changes in the imagined genealogies of Europe and its pertinent cultures.

Students are familiar with hermeneutical, phenomenological and deconstructivist approaches and with discourse analysis. They use these methods independently in order to draw up their own academic questions and contexts of analysis.

Students acquire reflexive competences regarding the understanding of the social construction and transformability of culture. They become aware of their own internalised cultural norms and of the productivity of diversity and change.

Seminar, discussions, presentations

Iulia Patrut

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written paper (5000-6500 words) or oral exam (25 min.) or oral presentation (15 min.) plus paper (4000-5000 words) or Portfolio

optional

680118000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

The students understand that science is a human endeavour which is not a fixed set of knowledge but a cultural activity with specific outcomes that shape and are shaped by so ciety. In this respect, they also understand how science and scientific knowledge production were developed in the European context and that they are part of the European culture.

The students develop an understanding of how scientific concepts and scientific methods were developed historically. They are able to identify internal and external factors that shaped, triggered or obstructed these developments and can identify central periods of scientific development. The students can use methods for understanding, criticising, and reflecting texts by scientists as well as by historians of science. They can analyse procedures in order to compare cerebral knowledge and non-cerebral knowledge (skills, tacit knowing) as well as their role in scientific knowledge production.

The students can analyse primary and secondary source texts as well as material objects that are related to conceptual and methodological developments. They can develop practical procedures based on textual and material sources and reflect on this process. They reflect practical experiences with reconstructed instruments in order to develop an under- standing of performative and material aspects of knowledge production. They are able to value conceptual understandings that are historical and transfer their understanding to contemporary discussions about social issues related to scientific developments.

The students can collaborate in order to perform procedures based on their interpretation of the published account. The students can place their understanding in the respective historical contexts, reflect on their interpretation and on those of others. They are able to reflect on different procedures of producing a consensus and on epistemological aspects of knowledge production in different historical situations. In this respect, they are able to identify criteria that are historically relevant and put them in relation to their modern understanding of knowledge production.

Lecture, seminar, laboratory

Peter Heering

3^rd or 5^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Essay (5000-6500 words)

optional

680119000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Students know about the basic elements of constructing Europe as a space of education. They understand the relationships between education, public policy and social development in Europe. They will be able to analyse differing educational settings as they are rooted in national contexts as well as their transformation in the course of Europeanisation. They are able to apply selected theoretical approaches to analyse case studies of today's challenges for education in Europe, in view of their social and individual implications (e.g. social inequality, social inclusion, transnational biographies, etc.)

Critical reflection of theoretical approaches in education; understanding of concepts of life- long learning in differing cultural contexts

The ability to conceptualise (cross-cultural) educational settings; ability to identify and critically analyse educational settings with reference to education theory, politics and practice

Students will learn to reflect on their personal role in educational settings such as instruction, counselling, learning and training for groups and individuals.

Teaching and learning will be based on a balanced mixture of theoretical input, reading and discussion and self-guided case studies (project learning) as group activities.

Beatrix Niemeyer

3^rd or 5^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Presentation and take-home assignment (4000-5000 words)

optional

680120000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Students can deal with and develop differentiated and analytical questions concerning European languages. They can also discuss linguistic issues and exchange linguistic information. They are acquainted with European linguistic discussions in the past and present.

Students have acquired a diachronic and synchronic overview over the languages in Europe. They are familiar with linguistic discussions in past and present. They have acquired knowledge about language diversity in Europe. They are able to attend critically to historic and recent developments in language policies. Students are acquainted with basic methodologies of historiography of linguistics, language history, language change and language contact and know the basics of general linguistics.

Based upon the methodologies acquired during the seminar the students are enabled to analyse arguments, statements and naturalised notions of language critically, and also to pigeonhole them correctly into their respective historical contexts.

They have acquired analytic and critical skills concerning nationalist and/or ideological discourses both as a historical and as a current phenomenon.

Seminar discussions and workshops in groups

Cordula Neis

3^rd or 5^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Paper (5000-6500 words)

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

optional

680122000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Students are able to analyse intercultural conflicts and transcultural developments with respect to minority issues, diversity and justice. They take up current topics and debates to develop and to negotiate arguments, concepts and theories of cultural change.

Analytical skills in cultural studies focusing on cross-border communication and cooperation

Cultural knowledge, hermeneutic understanding and logical argumentation

Respect for different points of view; the ability to mediate between conflicting positions and concepts

Oral presentation and discussion

Mathias Bauer

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written Paper (5000-6500 words) or oral exam (30 min.) or oral presentation (15 min.) plus paper (4000-5000 words) or Portfolio

mandatory

680112000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

The course introduces students to basic concepts of cultural and social geography with special regard to examples from different European regions. Starting from a critical reconstruction of Europe as a geographical entity, the course emphasises regional disparities, cultural diversity and current regionalisms within a broader Europe.

Students will gain basic knowledge on the geographical construction, regional disparities and cultural diversity of European spaces. They will have a deeper understanding of current regionalisms.

Students will be able to critically analyse political and media debates on Europe and European regions, with specific attention to cartographic representations of European spaces.

Students will have a deeper understanding of diversity within Europe and European regions. They can relate geographical knowledge to their own personal experiences.

Seminar

Holger Jahnke

Cycle

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

Duration

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written exam (90 min.)

optional

680123000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

The successful student will be familiar with theoretical approaches used in the social sciences to compare different national societies and economies. A focus lies on institutionalist approaches in political science, sociology and economics and in the approaches collectively called "comparative capitalism." Particular care is taken to connect the subnational (the "region") and supra national levels (EU) with relevant "systemic" effects.

Students will be able to describe and analyse European national societies and economies using theoretical approaches of the social sciences. They will be able to relate these with variations on the subnational level and situate them in the supranational, European level.

Students will sharpen their analytical abilities to understand countries as connected, multi- layered systems.

Students will develop an analytical lens for the daily information flow and will be able to recognise and criticise simplistic stereotypes and prejudices about countries.

Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to, ex-cathedra teaching, classroom discussions, student presentations and different forms of student group work and self-study.

Ulrich Glassmann

3^rd or 5^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written paper (5000 – 6500 words) or oral exam (30 min.)

optional

680125000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

This module's purpose is to provide students with insights into cultural sociology related and applicable to European topics. Cultural sociology, as introduced in this module, under- stands the human way of life as an outcome of social practices, the patterns and manifestations of their behavior, structures of thoughts, likings and tastes, thus as "culture" or, to use a less occupied term, as social practice or habits. At the end of the course, students will know selected theories and empirical studies of culture and will have acquired a toolkit for understanding social occurrences from a cultural sociological viewpoint. Social phenomena relating to a sociological notion of culture and research into European societies are, for instance, power and recognition, religion and religious tensions, language and linguistic demarcations, intercultural communication, group belonging, exclusion, and stereotyping, and "traditions" and representations.

Students will be able to give an account of major theorists and theories within cultural sociology. They will be able to elaborate on these theories and to establish a clear and com- prehensible sense of relevance on European societies as a field of study. They are capable of giving definitions of common terms and concepts in cultural sociology as well as to integrate them in their broader theoretical contexts. When confronted with social topics they can relate these topics to an accurate theoretical background and assign the correct terms to describe them.

Students will be able to depart from cultural sociology as a methodological perspective to approach and classify social topics.

Students will benefit from having developed a set of analytical skills to discuss the social construction of meaning, that is, to question "given facts" as social (mis)conceptions, to assess discussions and dominant stances on cultural groups, practices, habits and traditions. They will be able to encounter essentialist constructions of culture and, consequently, be able to articulate dynamic and creative approaches to organisational problem-solving.

Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to, ex-cathedra teaching, classroom discussions, student presentations and different forms of student group work and self-study.

Monika Eigmüller

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Oral Presentation (15 min.) plus paper (4000-5000 words); oral presentation (15 min.) plus written exam (60 min.); oral exam (25 min.) written paper (5000-6500 words); written exam (90 min.) or Portfolio

optional

680126000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

The course deals with different aspects of urban development in Europe. Students are introduced to the epistemology of the city, based on ideas of urbanity in ancient, medieval, and modern times. The focus is on different international urban planning paradigms in the twentieth century as well as current challenges of urban development in a European perspective.

Students gain specific knowledge in the epistemology of the city, urban history, urban planning paradigms and practice.

Students are able to distinguish material expressions of general ideas on urban planning and design and relate them to broader ideas on the city and urban life.

Students are able to actively participate in current debates on urban development in their city of residence and relate them to theoretical ideas on the city.

Seminar, including city walks or field trips

Holger Jahnke

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Final report (5000-6500 words). In their final report students will apply theoretical knowledge to a concrete urban setting.

optional

680127000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Students analyse concepts and problems concerning the social dimensions of Europe and ask (empirically based) questions about an emerging European society.

In this regard students study the ongoing process of Europeanisation in various spheres such as politics, economy, culture, and society, and critically investigate these recent and historical processes of European society building.

Students are able to analyse selected topics within the relevant academic disciplines. Students deepen their ability to develop positions and to defend them in arguments. They be- come sensitive to the potentials and restrictions of disciplinary approaches to European topics and improve their ability for interdisciplinary understanding.

Students are able to work out research questions within one of the relevant academic disciplines and identify interdisciplinary approaches to these topics. They present selected topics orally and in written form.

Students will be able to learn to collaborate in different manners, to present and analyse problems in the above-mentioned fields in a partner or group situation, in manners appropriate to the addressees, and to express themselves competently in a culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive manner.

Seminar, discussions, presentations

Monika Eigmüller

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written paper (5000-6500 words) or oral exam (25 min.) or oral presentation (15 min.) plus written paper (4000-5000 words) or Portfolio

optional

680128000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

The module provides a basic understanding of complex interactions between politics, economics, technology and the natural environment, so that students will be able to evaluate current environmental issues as well as policies and strategies to respond to them.

Students will be familiar with societal causes of today’s most pressing ecological crises (such as global warming or biodiversity loss) and will know and be able to distinguish various theories of sustainable development as well as environmental policies. Additionally, specific economic, cultural and societal contexts of diverse approaches are taken into account.

Students will obtain and practise various essential academic skills in social sciences, such as reading and presenting academic literature, academic reasoning, argumentation, writing, and citation styles.

Students will be able to work in teams and to communicate complex socio-ecological problems and environmental policies verbally and in written form. Additionally, they have the capacity of putting themselves in differing positions. Furthermore, students will be able to autonomously follow and critically reflect on on-going debates in the field of sustainability.

Seminar discussions, group work, simulation games

Bernd Sommer

3^rd or 5^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Essay (5000-6500 words)

optional

680129000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Migration within European borders and migration to Europe are social phenomena creating and affecting individual and family life trajectories, economy, politics, religion and national and European discourses. This module on migration and European borders will present some of the key concepts and theories within sociological research into migration and borders. It will, for instance, explore and discuss how these theories become operational within current studies related to human movement and mobility. Theoretical approaches may span micro- level intercultural communication and interaction with social structures, policy and governance. Furthermore, it will be discussed how they relate to contemporary cases and politics. Current topics and cases such as the European educational market, the internationalisation of organisations, legal and illegal migration, the circulation, impact of and conditions for international labour and students may be addressed.

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

-              describe and explain theories and concepts relevant to sociological research into migration and borders,

-              explain why and how these theories and concepts can be applied and contrast them to each other,

-              correspondingly, theorise selected social phenomena and occurences, and analyse these phenomena on the basis of the chosen theories,

-              recognise and classify sociopolitical and cultural topics as to their relevance to the different schools and streams within migration and border research,

-              critically assess discourse (e.g., in media, research polls, or political proposals) as to its factual grounds, potential misconceptions, and formulate hypotheses on these discourses' impact on society.

Students will be able to demonstrate an advanced and critical understanding of the interplay of methods, instruments and applied theories and concepts. They will accurately label, define, and explain methods, use accurate terminology, and be able to relate research questions to a scope of possible methods. Further, they will be able to critically assess sources as to their choice and operationalisation of methods, to alert biases and inaccuracies.

Students learn to collaborate in different manners, to present and analyse problems in the above-mentioned fields in a partner or group situation in a manner appropriate to the addressees, and to express themselves competently in a culturally appropriate and gender- sensitive manner.

Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to, ex-cathedra teaching, classroom discussions, student presentations and different forms of student group work and self-study

Monika Eigmüller

3^rd or 5^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written paper (5000-6500 words) or oral exam (25 min.) or oral presentation (15 min.) plus written paper (4000-5000 words) or Portfolio

optional

680130000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

The module deepens the understanding of the economy of European nation states as studied in Module TD S 1 by analysing how they interact with each other guided by the institutions of the EU. Care is taken to take a multi-paradigmatic approach based on different traditions in economics and (International) political economy. Also, the interrelations be- tween inner-EU relations and interests and the global system are analysed. The substantive foci will vary according to changes in academic and public debates.

The module builds an understanding of the economy of the European Union in its entanglement of markets, small, and large firms, governments, civil society and bureaucracies at the national, European and global levels.

Students will be able to develop a first understanding of complex cross-national and multi- level social, economic and political interactions.

Students will be able to unveil the "national interest" metaphor and see the conflicting interests of different (collective) actors in their national, European and international entanglements. They will also be able to reflect critically on their own positions regarding various European policy issues.

Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to, ex-cathedra teaching, classroom discussions, student presentations and different forms of student group work and self-study.

Ulrich Glassmann

3^rd or 5^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every fall semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Paper (5000-6500 words) or oral exam (30 min.)

optional

680131000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

Students are able to identify normative challenges and ethical questions concerning Europe. They know relevant normative and ethical discourses and theories about selected normative challenges concerning Europe in a globalised world, concerning for instance questions of peace and migration, equality and justice, transparency and trust, democratic representation and public space or eurocentricity and sustainability. They are able to ana- lyse and to judge normative positions about these questions with regard to their foundation and validity. They are able to present their own positions on such topics in a well-argued fashion.

Students know relevant normative and ethical discourses and theories about selected normative challenges concerning Europe in a globalised world, concerning, for instance, questions of peace and migration, equality and justice, transparency and trust, democratic representation and public space or eurocentricity and sustainability. Students are encouraged to think about normative challenges and ethical questions concerning Europe, to consider how these questions might be answered adequately and to participate critically in a self- reflective way in current discussions. Students are able to identify, reconstruct and reflect upon normative and ethical discourses. They are able to analyse and to assess normative views regarding these questions with respect to their foundation and validity.

Students use normative and ethical approaches to Europe. They are able to correctly identify, label, and define methods and instruments, and to use the appropriate terminology. They learn to demonstrate a critical approach towards sources on the basis of the knowledge provided in class. They are able to present their own positions on such topics in a well-argued fashion.

Students are sensitive to normative challenges and ethical questions concerning Europe in a globalised world. Students are able to learn to collaborate in different ways, to present and analyse problems in the above-mentioned fields in a partner or group situation in a manner appropriate to the addressees, and to competently articulate their thoughts in a culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive manner.

seminar, team-work, presentations

Anne Reichold

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written paper (5000-6500 words) or oral exam (25 min.) or oral presentation (15 min.) plus written paper (4000-5000 words) or portfolio

optional

680132000

5 ECTS

2 hpw

The aim of this module is to develop students' ability to analyse and present knowledge of selected social aspects and debates in and on Europe. Emphasis is placed on current topics which raise debates of relevance to this study programme, including historical, social, cultural and business-related discussions. The module aims at providing theoretical and methodological guidelines and instruments for the in-depth analysis of cases and discourses, and to gain insights into patterns of Europeanisation, attitudes toward Europe, and European thinking. Students will improve their textual comprehension skills, their critical thinking, their capability of evaluating sources, as well as their capability of applying these skills to current political discourse and media coverage.

To successfully complete this module, students will have to demonstrate their in-depth, research-based insight into a defined academic subject area. They will be able to demonstrate knowledge of methods and instruments relevant in order to critically approach and assess current debates. They will be able to give an account of relevant scholarly literature and to clearly distinguish objective literature from politically biased or simply inaccurate coverage and publications. Students will be able to identify current debates as to their relevance to the scientific study of Europe, motivate their classification, and adequatly theorise these debates whilst applying appropriate scholarly terminology.

Students will be able to give an account of, properly define and apply methods introduced in this module. Methods to critically examine current topics and debates in society may comprise, but are not limited to, discourse and content analysis, textual and multimodal analysis of e.g. political documents, newspaper reports or social media discourse as well as basic statistical procedures. Students will learn to compose an individual academic idea, review their personal itinerary of research, writing, and revision, and their interest and identity as scholars, practitioners and writers. They will assume a professional mindset and perform different identities as analysts, negotiators, representatives, and strategists; as well as differentiate between professional and personal modes of behaviour.

Students will learn to organise a group research process and collaboratively produce and present an academic poster. They will reflect and appraise the individual and group learning process and learn to give and receive feedback.

Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to, ex-cathedra teaching, classroom discussions, student presentations and different forms of student group work and self-study.

Monika Eigmüller

4^th or 6^th Semester

Workload (total)

150 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

30 h

1 Semester

individual

120 h

Seminar (2 hpw)

participants: 40

Written paper (5000-6500 words) or oral exam (25 min.) or oral presentation (15 min.) plus written paper (4000-5000 words) or Portfolio

mandatory

680133000

15 ECTS

2 hpw

Students are able to elaborate and design a disciplinary or interdisciplinary research question, work it out with adequate scholarly methods, evaluate the results and present the research and the results in an adequate way.

Students are able to work adequately with regard to the chosen disciplinary or interdisciplinary topic. They know the disciplinary and interdisciplinary relevance of a topic and the relevant criteria of evaluation of a scholarly thesis of this sort. They know how to design and accomplish a thesis.

They know how to do bibliographical research, evaluate relevant theoretical material. They apply the disciplinary and interdisciplinary methods aquired during their studies. They present the research and results adequately in a written form.

Autonomy, endurance, organisation of long time projects

Bachelor thesis, colloquium

Head of Studies

6^th Semester

Workload (total)

450 h

every spring semester

hereof

in class

15 h

1 Semester

individual

435 h

Colloquium (2 hpw)

participants: 10

Bachelor thesis (ca. 40 pages/ ca. 15000-18000 words plus bibliography)