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Seminars and Field Trips

ISU seminars take place from from 14:15 pm – 15.45 pm following the German language class  and are composed of nine sessions per seminar. Each course is made up of 18 in-class hours, plus time for study, homework, etc.

In order to receive the full 12 ECTS points for the program, you are required to participate in evening events and the weekend excursions.

Each participant will choose one seminar from four modules covering Culture, Society, History, and Politics per session (two total).Modules are taught by experts from the University of Marburg, our EUPeace Alliance as well as other partner universities.

Module Descriptions

  • Culture

    The Culture module encompasses seminars on various aspects of European and German culture in the 20th Century and beyond. This can include various types of culture, spanning from the everyday, to politics, to art. Potential topics include German film and theatre, European languages and their everyday development, as well as aspects of Literature, protest cultures, and interactions between political cultures. 

  • History

    Post-1945 Europe takes the main stage of the History module. With a range of topics spanning German and broader European history, the courses may engage areas such as the roots and emergence of the European Union, the role of the EU and individual member countries as historical foreign and security actors, international law, or the significance of European memory culture. 

  • Politics

    Seminars in the Politics module will cover a range of topics related to the European Union. This may include courses on EU’s foreign-, security-, economic- or migration policies, the role of the EU in current global conflict, or internal integration policies within the EU. 

  • Society

    Courses in the Society module aim to explore contexts of European and non-European societies. This can, but is not limited to, seminars on topics of process and dynamics of inclusion and integration, issues of social justice, social conflicts and ways of dealing with them, as well as areas of health and populism.

ISU 2025 seminars will be published soon. You can find a list of seminars offered in 2024 here. 

Week 1&2 

  • History

    TBA
    Instructor: TBC

    Course Description: 

    Learning Objectives:

    Pre-Course Readings:

    TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE and Reading/ Assignments/ Additional Practice Materials

    Description of class schedule as planned

  • Politics

    The EU and its Institutions
    Instructor: Dr. Guillermo Reyes

    Course Description:

    This course has the intention of exploring the EU as the current most important international political integration organisation. This has been the result of important and profound concatenated political changes in the European continent after the devastation of the Second World War. With the aim of overcoming deep feelings of distrust and enmity between the different parties and recover the life standards of all citizens beyond historical rivalries, the European states agreed to search for common grounds rather than focusing on the differences. What started as a regional pact to share basic raw materials between a reduced number of states, has resulted in one of the most attractive markets of the World and a geopolitical region where common rights belong to all European citizens regardless the state member in which they reside. By voluntarily ceding part of its sovereignty to commonly agreed supranational institutions, historically consolidated national states have given way to a new actor in the political arena that deserves our attention. This makes the EU one of the most appealing international actors that Politics and International Relations students can research.

    To be able to properly understand this phenomenon, we will be scrutinising the EU from its genesis to the Treaty of Lisbon 2009 and the different political integration processes that it has experienced over the last 7 decades. This includes, amongst others, the examination of the key EU institutions and its main bodies; the Judicial system that creates the first supranational judicial organ that is capable of having direct influence in national courts; the European Human Rights protection system; the articulation of its legal personality; the executive and legislative processes; and the main challenges that are currently hindering its consolidation and expansion. These topics will allow us to have a deep comprehension of EU politics and how it has shaped the past of Europe and its future in an increasing multipolar world.

    Learning Objectives: 

    Be familiar with and understand the main institutions and governmental structures of today's European Union.
    Analyse and critically assess the origins and effects of these structures, by using the conceptual and theoretical tools of comparative politics, international relations and relevant sources.
    Appreciate and explain the changing nature of the political process in the European Union and the role played by political parties, interest groups, social movements and public opinion.
    Assess the role and influence of states on the political process of the EU.
    Anterpret and critically evaluate the main issues in the contemporary political debate in the EU.

    Course Materials: 

    Core readings:

    McCormick, J. 2020. European Union Politics. Palgrave Macmillan: London

     2022. Understanding the Euroepan Union. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc: London

    Nugent, N. 2017. The Government and Politics of the European Union. Eighth Edition. Palgrave: Basingstoke.

    Olsen, J. 2022. The European Union. Politics and Policies. Routledge: London

    Further Materials (to expand on the core readings):

    Cini, M. and N. Perez-Solorzano Borragan. Eds. 2016. European Union Politics. Fifth Edition. Oxford University Press: Oxford.

    Dinan, D., Nuget, N., and Paterson, W. The European Union in Crisis. Palgrave: Basingstoke.

    Egan, M., N. Nugent and W.E. Paterson Eds. 2009. Research Agendas in EU Studies. Stalking the Elephant. Palgrave: Basingstoke.

    Hix, S. and B Hoyland. 2018. The Political System of the European Union. Fourth Edition. Palgrave: Basingstoke.

    Schimmelfenning, F., and Sedelemeier, U. 2009. The Politics of the European Union Enlargement. Routledge: London.

    Zimmermann, H., and Zimmermann, A.D. 2016. Key Controversies in European Integration.   Palgrave: Basingstoke.

    Course Schedule (Sessions and Readings):

    1. The genesis of the EU and the integration process
    Reading: McCormick, J. 2011. European Union Politics. Palgrave Macmillan: London Chapter 4 and 5.

    2. The EU as an international actor
    Reading:
    Nugent, N. 2017. The Government and Politics of the European Union. Eighth Edition. Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 24.
    McCormick, J. 2022. Understanding the Euroepan Union. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc: London. Chapter 1.

    3. EU institutions and main bodies
    Reading: 
    McCormick, J. 2022. Understanding the Euroepan Union. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc: London. Chapter 4.

    Nugent, N. 2017. The Government and Politics of the European Union. Eighth Edition. Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 9-12 and 14 (just a quick overview).

    4. EU policy making
    Readings:
    McCormick, J. 2022. Understanding the Euroepan Union. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc: London. Chapter 6.

    Nugent, N. 2017. The Government and Politics of the European Union. Eighth Edition. Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 18 and 19.

    5. The Judiciary and the European Human Rights protection system
    Readings:
    Olsen, J. 2022. The European Union. Politics and Policies. Routledge: London. Chapter 8.

    Nugent, N. 2017. The Government and Politics of the European Union. Eighth Edition. Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 13.

    6. The democratic legitimacy of the EU
    Readings:
    Dinan, D., Nuget, N., and Paterson, W. The European Union in Crisis. Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 10.

    Zimmermann, H., and Zimmermann, A.D. 2016. Key Controversies in European Integration.   Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 4.

    7. Main challenges: The EU enlargement, Brexit, and Covid pandemic
    Readings: 

    Dinan, D., Nuget, N., and Paterson, W. The European Union in Crisis. Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 16.

    Schimmelfenning, F., and Sedelemeier, U. 2009. The Politics of the European Union Enlargement. Routledge: London. Chapter 8 and 9.

    8. Main challenges: The far-right
    Readings: 

    Dimitri Almeida, D. 2010. Europeanized Eurosceptics? Radical Right Parties and European Integration. Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 11:3, 237-253.

    Down, I. And Han, K. J. 2021. Far right parties and ‘Europe’: societal polarization and the limits of EU issue contestation. Journal of European Integration, 43:1, 65-81.

    Vasilopoulou, S. 2011. European Integration and the Radical Right: Three Patterns of Opposition. Government and Opposition, 46(2), 223-244.

    9. The future of the EU
    Readings:

    Dinan, D., Nuget, N., and Paterson, W. The European Union in Crisis. Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 17.

    Nugent, N. 2017. The Government and Politics of the European Union. Eighth Edition. Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 26.

    Zimmermann, H., and Zimmermann, A.D. 2016. Key Controversies in European Integration.   Palgrave: Basingstoke. Chapter 8.

    ASSIGNMENTS 

    Prepare the recommended readings and be prepared to participate in the different group discussions and debates that each topic will lead to.

    EXAMS 

    A short essay (1500 words) on any of the topics that will be explored and debate.

  • Society

    TBA
    Instructor: TBC

    Course Description:

    Learning objectives:

    Course Materials

    TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE and Reading/ Assignments/ Additional Practice Materials :

    ASSIGNMENTS:
      

  • Culture

    Turbulent Times on the German Stage and Screen
    Instructor: Dr. Keren Cohen (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

    Course Description:

    The course will focus on plays and films which deal with the upheavals and turbulences that shook Germany during the first half of the twentieth century. It will explore the ways in which the theatrical and cinematic works discussed both reflect and comment on the social, political and cultural environment they represent. In the short span of just over half a century covered by the course, Germany experienced two world wars and saw the fall of the German Empire, the emergence of the Weimar Republic and the Nazis’ rise to power. The conflicts and challenges characteristic of these turbulent times served as the backdrop to constant artistic innovation, which led to the creation of some of the most celebrated masterpieces in the history of theatre and cinema. The course will incorporate artistic, cultural and historical perspectives, and will introduce students to the diversity of theatrical and cinematic artistic styles which emerged in the period, from German Expressionism to Brecht’s Epic Theatre. We will conduct an in-depth analysis of representative, groundbreaking works, and will consider the ways in which these works could be relevant to the present day. The turbulent times of the first half of the twentieth century also served as the backdrop to plays and films produced in Germany in recent decades. We will discuss some examples of these artworks, created with the benefit of hindsight, and we will ask how and why works of art turn to past events for inspiration. We will also discuss the unique manner in which theatre and cinema – both public forums in which a community gathers to experience a work of art together – can communicate with their audiences and provoke them to think of their world in new ways.

    Learning Objectives:

    To gain familiarity with the main developments and artistic styles of modernist German theatre and cinema during the first half of the twentieth century.
     To understand and practice the ways in which theatre and film can be approached as primary sources, which may be studied and analyzed as artistic objects, as well as historical documents reflecting and interacting with their social, political and cultural context.
    To gain a basic understanding of aesthetic analysis of modernist and contemporary German theatre and film.
    To understand the ways in which theatre and film can comment on society, as well as attempt to influence it.

    Class Schedule:

    1: Introduction 

    2: The Traumas of WWI: Expressionism - Robert Wiene, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

    3: The Golden Twenties? - Bertolt Brecht, The Threepenny Opera (1928)

    4:  A Different World Order at the Door - Leontine Sagan, Girls in Uniform (1931)

    5: History in Hindsight - Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries and Hendrik Handloegten, Babylon Berlin (2017-2022) – screening session

    6: History in Hindsight – cntd. - Babylon Berlin (2017-2022) – discussion

    7: War at Europe’s Doorstep - Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage and Her Children (1939)

    8: History Repeated as Farce - George Tabori, Mein Kampf (1987)

    9: Conclusion 

    ASSIGNMENTS: 

    -        Reading and viewing the course materials.

    -        Participation in class discussions.

    -        5 short reading reports (150-200 words max.)

    -        A short essay (1000 words max.) or a short class presentation

     

    Course Materials:

    Reading List (in order of discussion):

    - Bertolt Brecht, The Threepenny Opera (1928)
    - Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage and Her Children (1939)
    - George Tabori, Mein Kampf (1987)

    Viewing list (in order of discussion):

    Robert Wiene The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
    Leontine Sagan, Girls in Uniform (1931)
    Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries and Hendrik Handloegten, Babylon Berlin (2017-2022) [excerpts]
    Oliver Hirschbiegel, The Downfall (2004)
    ADDITIONAL MATERIALS (recommended reading for students who wish to expand on the topics discussed in the seminar):

    Plays:

    Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening (1891)
    Gerhart Hauptmann, The Weavers (1892)
    Ernst Toller, Transformation (1919)

    Films:

    F. W. Murnau, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)
    Fritz Lang, Metropolis (1927)
    Josef von Sternberg, The Blue Angel (1930)
    Fritz Lang, M (1931)

Week 3&4 

Supplement Course

The supplement course "German Politics and History" will provide additional insight into the topics discussed in the main seminars. The workload of the supplement course will count towards the total ECTS - the attendance of the supplement course is obligatory.

The course consists of 18 class room hours and takes place from 4:15 pm – 5:45 pm in week 1&2.

The objective of this course is to provide an overview of German culture, history and politics and thereby allowing the students to gain a better understanding of Germany today.  Participants will learn to trace contemporary cultural and political phenomena in key historical moments as well as learn about basics like the political system. This will help them to understand current developments and debates in Germany and in Europe and provide further background regarding the main topic of the ISU.

Field Trips

The field trips are an important and exciting part of the program. They count towards your total ECTS credits (see above) while offering a great chance to get to experience everyday life in Germany.

There are a miniumum of two trips, one including overnight with accomodation in a hostel, organized each program. All costs for the trips (travel, accommodation including breakfast and city tour) are included in the program fee, personal expenses are not included.

2024 Fieldtrips:
27.07.24: Kassel (day-trip)
02.08.24-03.08.24: Weimar (Overnight)
11.08.2024: Wiesbaden

  • Field Trip Wiesbaden

    Wiesbaden is the capital of the federal state of Hesse in western Germany. The Kurhaus, a neoclassical building, houses ballrooms and the Wiesbaden casino. The Kurpark was laid out in 1852 in the style of an English landscape garden. Next to the red, neo-Gothic market church on Schlossplatz is the neoclassical city palace, seat of the Hessian state parliament.

  • Field Trip Kassel

    Despite its size, Kassel is a city with both history and culture on offer. Home to both the Brother's Grimm and UNESCO World Heritage site "Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe", it is an exciting visit for a day trip from Marburg.

  • Field Trip Weimar

    In Weimar students will learn about the large cultural heritage of the city and its importance in German history. A guided tour will show you as you wander the same streets as famous German writers and political figures. As part of the two-day visit, a a visit to the memorial site of Buchenwald is planned, which was one of the biggest concentration camps during the Nazi regime and now serves as a memorial site and therewith a place of historical understanding. A visit to a site like this is always a deeply moving experience, that does not only teach about the atrocities committed by the German Nazis, but also reminds us of the importance of values such as freedom, human dignity, tolerance and justice that by far are not self-evident and always must be defended.

We want these trips to be a pleasant experience for all the participants and the ISU team. Therefore, please come prepared and be on time.

*After you successfully completed your application you will receive a Philipps-Universität Marburg students account. With this account you will be able to log into the online learning platform Ilias in June. There you can access some of the readings for your seminar before you arrive.