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Call for Applications Theme: Collective Identities Subtitle: Nationalism, Transnationalism – Europe and Beyond Type: Graz International Summer School Seggau 2013 Institution: Office of International Relations, University of Graz Location: Leibnitz (Austria) Date: 30.6.–13.7.2013 Deadline: 28.2.2013 __________________________________________________ Focusing on the emphasis areas of the University of Graz “South Eastern Europe and North, Central and South America“ the next summer school will take place from June 30th to July 13th, 2013 at Seggau Castle in the South-Eastern corner of Austria in the wine region very close to the Slovene border. The Graz International Summer School Seggau is designed for internationally oriented, highly motivated students from all disciplines who wish to deepen their understanding of current European and international affairs by concentrating on the regions of South Eastern Europe and the Americas and by studying and discussing global developments and challenges within the context of collective issues reflecting aspects of individual, social, political, cultural, regional, economic, cohort and national identities. Theme Since the 19th century, nation states as a construction of collective identities have defined the political, economic and social realities in Europe and beyond. In Benedict Anderson’s term of an imagined community, the nation state has determined both individual as well as collective identities in terms of inclusion and exclusion. This is especially true when it comes to the rights of citizens or ethnic majorities versus the legal status of minority groups or the situation of foreigners and migrants. Although the essentialist nature of state definition has never been able to do justice to the social, cultural, and economic realities and challenges, it has since the 19th century determined the political and social structures of Europe, led to war and destruction, but also to reconstruction and peace-building in the 20th century, if one takes the European Union as an example of a supranational governance structure. Within a radically changed global world, where migration and transnationalism play an important role, a reconsideration of the notion of the nation state as well as an analysis of the interconnections between collective and individual identity formation is necessary. Focusing on the emphasis areas of the University of Graz – South Eastern Europe and North, Central and South America – the discursive and symbolic constructions of Europe and beyond will be investigated from an interdisciplinary vantage point thus contributing to a redefinition of European and Inter-American Studies. The Americas provide us with many examples of an early development of the nation state in connection with processes of democratization in the late 18th and early 19th century, as well as with the question of heterogeneity versus homogeneity. South Eastern Europe can be seen as an example for a region that has been contested by European and non-European actors and therefore as a mirror image of larger dynamics in European history. This area is also a good example for discussing diversity in terms of opportunities provided and challenges faced in the past, present and future. Studying collective identities by focusing on European and American issues will thus provide a basis for meeting James Tully’s demand that “21st century identities must be supported rather than imposed, reasonable rather than unreasonable, empowering rather than disabling and liberating rather than oppressive.” (2003) Aims and Objectives - Interdisciplinary co-operation of teachers and students on the cultural, intellectual and historical dimensions of current European and American affairs in view of their positioning in a globalized world. - Presentation in research and teaching of focus areas of the University of Graz – South Eastern Europe and North, Central and South America. - Development and education of young leaders of tomorrow in the fields of politics, administration, business, science, culture and religion. Academic Program Students will deal with the relevance and effect on global affairs of Europe/EU (emphasis on South Eastern Europe) and the Americas by attending the offered morning and evening lectures, panel discussions, and participating in one seminar modules in the afternoon. Lecturers teaching the seminar modules in the afternoon as well as experts in the field will deliver morning lectures that provide the context for the seminar modules. All students are required to attend the morning lectures; thus, the topic of these lectures will be directed towards a general audience. After the presentation by the lecturer, there will be a 20min break, followed by a plenary discussion, in which the students will have the change to ask questions. According to their interest students choose one of the following seminar modules: - Literature & Culture - Cultural Identities - Indigenous Identities - Urban & Regional Idententities - Politics & Law - Media, Society & Culture - Economics & Power - Ethics, Religion & Leadership - Transnationalism & Migration - Cultural Narratives of Longevity Certificate Participants will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the summer school. Please note that this only confirms the participation and cannot be used for credit transfer. Students who wish to receive the 6 ECTS credits are required to participate in the full program AND write a seminar paper. Instructions about the procedure will be distributed throughout the course of the summer school. Once students have received a positive grade, transcripts will be sent to them. These transcripts can be used to obtain credit at the home institution. Detailed information about the summer school program, the application process, fees and scholarships can be found on our website: http://international.uni-graz.at/gusegg APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 28th, 2013. Contact: Manuela Dorsch Graz International Summer School Seggau 2013 (GUSEGG) Office of International Relations University of Graz Austria Tel: +43 316 380-1249 Fax: +43 316 380-9155 Email: [email protected] Web: http://international.uni-graz.at/gusegg __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
