Faculty of Social Sciences and Cultural Studies

Course Description

The seminar gives an overview on selected school pedagogical research aspects (e.g. transition, assessment, teaching methods & school architecture). For example, particularly transitions, e.g. from kindergarten to primary school, are frequently accompanied by difficulties for school enrolment. Also, school architecture effects the practice of teachers. These and many other aspects will be compiled using lectures, best practice examples, own reviews, and written elaborations. This seminar aims to manage pedagogical requirements regarded to teachers'professional development.

Faculty

Social Sciences and Cultural Studies

Institute

Department of Childhood- and School Pedagogy

Lecturer

Chair for primary school pedagogy

Study Period (dd/mm/yy)

20/10/21-16/02/22

Mode and Time

Synchronous, Time (CET): Wednesdays 16-18h

Online Tool for Teaching

Webex

Language of Instruction

English

Target Group

Bachelor

Prerequisites

English (optional German B1)

ECTS

3

Course Description

Als institutionalisierte Orientierungspunkte sind Werte eine Art Wegweiser des Wünschenswerten, die gesellschaftliche Normalitätsvorstellungen skizzieren. Zu Leitbildern geformt, die von den Individuen durch Erziehung, Bildung und Sozialisation gefestigt sowie verinnerlicht werden prägen sie Verhalten bzw. Handlungen. Gerade in Zeiten sozialen Wandels und kultureller Vielfältigkeit stellt sich die Frage nach der Konstanz bestehender Werte und der Möglichkeit sie im gesellschaftlichen Einvernehmen immer wieder neu verhandeln zu können – auch im Rahmen pädagogischer Kontexte.

Faculty

Social Sciences and Cultural Studies

Institute

Department of Education Science

Lecturer

Dr. Sebastian Dippelhofer

Study Period (dd/mm/yy)

19/10/21-15/02/22

Mode and Time

Synchronous, Time (CET): Tuesdays 12-14h

Online Tool for Teaching

Webex

Language of Instruction

German

Target Group

Bachelor

Prerequisites

German B2

ECTS

5

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the political and social system of the Federal Republic of Germany. Even though the course is rooted at the Department of Political Science, it is designed for any incoming exchange students who wish to study the social and political structures, institutions and processes of their host country - regardless of their academic backgrounds and fields of study.

The course covers the fundamental rights of the German constitution, the main political institutions and parties, the German welfare regime and the family conceptions underpinning it, the market economy model predominant in Germany as well as trending topics such as growing inequalities, migration, climate crisis and rising right-wing populism. Whenever possible, day-to-day politics serve to illustrate the theoretical arguments and models.

Faculty

Social Sciences and Cultural Studies

Institute

Department of Political Science

Lecturer

Niklas Ferch, M.A.

Study Period (dd/mm/yy)

19/10/21-15/02/22

Mode and Time

Synchronous, Time (CET): Tuesdays 8-10h

Online Tool for Teaching

MS Teams, Stud.IP, ILIAS

Language of Instruction

English

Target Group

Everyone interested, priority on students of Social Sciences

Prerequisites

Regular and active participation in the online seminar sessions; independent reading of the seminar readings provided; course language is English (CEFR level B1 or higher)

ECTS

4

Course Description

Shklar argues that most post 1800 philosophy can be understood as a romantic, one way or another, rebellion against enlightenment. The problem she sees with the ‘unhappy consciousness’ mutiny against the radical hopes of enlightenment is that it leads to a rejection of politics and thus a somewhat self-inflicted political pessimism.  In the course we will thus discuss Shklars mid 20th century analysis of political theory against the backdrop of our own times.

Theoretically, the course is built mainly around Shklar, Arendt, Habermas and Alexijewitsch but participants are free and encouraged to add their own readings and perspectives.

Particularly the effects of disillusionment on processes of democratization shall be explored. One hypothesis for the course can be summarized as follows: Liberal democracy rests on the calm acceptance of disillusionment, or, in other words the decentralized world-view of a politically mature electorate. However, the disillusionment necessary to mature politically can scupper the process of democratization.

Questions asked will include: Which hopes (for transformative change?) inspire democratic revolutions? How can these survive the necessary post-revolutionary disillusionments and disappointments?

Faculty

Social Sciences and Cultural Studies

Institute

Political Science

Lecturer

Dr. Andreas Mix

Study Period (dd/mm/yy)

To be announced

Mode and Time

Synchronous, Time (CET): To be announced

Online Tool for Teaching

MS Teams

Language of Instruction

English

Target Group

Bachelor, Master

Prerequisites

Readings before the start of the class:

Habermas, J. (2016 (1983)): The philosophical discourse of modernity. Frankfurt: Suhrkamp. 

Shklar, J.N. (2020 (1957)): After Utopia. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press.

ECTS

5 with assessment, 3 participation only

Course Description

This course aims to introduce the students to the recent critical discussions in the field of sociology of migration, particularly regarding the epistemological and methodological perspectives employed in this field so far. Within this framework, the conceptual definitions of ‘migration’ and ‘the migrant’ will be revisited and the new critical perspectives mainly from the perspective of cultural studies regarding these conceptualizations will be studied. An understanding of migration processes beyond the conceptual limitations of borders, (non)movement, as well as nation state will be one of the main aims of the reflexive discussions that will be held during the course. In the light of this introductory theoretical review, the “post-migrant paradigm” will be studied with a special focus on the German society and by exploring its potential contribution for a better understanding of societies shaped by migration and diversity. In the last part of the course, the notion of integration as it is linked to previous discussions on migration and post-migrant society will be handled. Accordingly, what integration policies aim in general and how they differ from the earlier policies targeting the assimilation of migrants, as well as the shortcomings and highly criticized aspects of the integration approach will be scrutinized.

The course will be conducted via both online lecture-discussion sessions and offline written forum discussions. The students are expected to take part in both formats actively via participation activities (Forum posts, online group work etc.).

Faculty

Social Sciences and Cultural Studies

Institute

Department of Sociology

Lecturer

Pinar Gümüs Mantu, Dr. Phil.

Study Period (dd/mm/yy)

18/10/21-18/02/22

Mode and Time

Synchronous, Time (CET): Thursdays 10h-12h

Online Tool for Teaching

Webex, Stud.IP

Language of Instruction

English

Target Group

Bachelor, Master

Field of Study: Social Sciences

Prerequisites

At least C1 level English language capacity

ECTS

4