Core area

The core area forms the nucleus of the program and must be completed by all students. In terms of content, the aim of the core area is to impart basic historical, theoretical and methodological knowledge. The courses in the core area are supplemented by the “Europe Parliament” colloquium in which practical questions of program design (e.g. with regard to the semester abroad) as well as theoretical questions of scientific interest can be discussed with invited internal and external discussion partners.

The curriculum of the core area includes the following components:

Cultural theory (VL + Tut & OS)

This module examines the European history of the concept of culture while providing a critical survey and analysis of current concepts that the cultural turn has introduced to the humanities and the social sciences.

“Culture” itself is a European term whose roots date back to Roman antiquity. But the concept primarily began to gain popularity in the modern era in the course of the discovery and conquest of new lands, which lead to encounters with foreign languages, religions, and ways of life, and to a new and disconcerting reflection on the seeming self-evidence of the European worldview.

The struggle for cultural supremacy has both united and divided Europe. To this day, the borders of Europe represent a series of hurdles that divide cultures.Even then, what is considered “culturally determined” is by no means clear and depends on different assumptions that are themselves bound to culturally specific perspectives. The more the concept of culture is used to explain, the more important a theoretical understanding of viable concepts of culture becomes.

Cultural history (VL + Tut & OS)

This module both reconstructs exemplary myths of European culture and sheds light on central institutions, forms and practices of tradition building.

In addition to the formative political institutions and social entities – democracy and empire, church and state, city, nation and federation – Europe also developed elementary cultural techniques. Science and the arts were decisive driving forces in satisfying claims to power, but also became increasingly important in challenging such claims as well.

The history of these cultural achievements has been influenced by narratives large and small that have helped preserve traditions, establish lines of succession, and dream of possible futures. In the same way that the origins of Europe are lost in myth, so too have developments since then been linked to myths as well: with visions of rebirth, translations, and journeys into the unknown, of universalist schemes and “Sonderwegen”.

Europe Parliament (Colloquium)

The third module of the core area consists of a mandatory colloquium for both students and teachers in the 1st and 2nd semesters: the “Europe Parliament”. It serves to cement a common understanding of central components of the program and opens current topics and discourses on Europe for discussion.

The colloquium also helps students answer practical questions about the organization of their studies, such as preparation for and follow-up on their studies abroad. In this sense, the colloquium is as much about theoretical reflection on the interdisciplinary program as it is about the opportunity to talk to guests who can provide insight into their research projects. Visits to thematically relevant non-university events are also regularly on the schedule.