Viadrina Summer University 2012 - The Culture of Football: Passion, Power, Politics

Football is not only the most popular sport in many regions of the world but also a social, political and cultural mass phenomenon. In light of the European Football Championship 2012 (in Poland and the Ukraine), the long-standing Viadrina Summer University dedicates an intensive program to the cultural and social scientific exploration of this phenomenon. To what extent does football mirror social and cultural developments of modern societies? Which interdependencies exist between football and politics? Which identities – competing or converging ones – are represented by football? And which roles do language, media, rituals play in all this? These questions shall be pursued in a German-Polish project at Viadrina University and its Polish partner institution, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. The main coursework of Viadrina Summer University will be carried by Viadrina faculty representing sociological and political science as well as historical, economic and linguistic approaches. In addition, lectures and seminars will be offered by academics of other German and European as well as American universities.

Core Course I: „Football and the Politics of Identity“ / Prof. Dr. Michael Minkenberg
Core Course II: „The Political Economy of Football“ / Prof. Dr. Timm Beichelt

Who can participate?

Viadrina Summer University welcomes advanced students and young researchers from the social sciences, modern European history, linguistics and communication studies, as well as economics. Applications from candidates who already hold a first degree and/or have specialized in issues related to the program will receive preferential treatment. Full-time attendance of the Summer University is obligatory for all participants. Students are expected to contribute actively to the Summer University by making short presentations and submitting research essays. Proficiency in English is required as all parts of the program will be taught in English.

Teaching and Syllabus

The Summer University combines lectures, seminar discussions, excursions and student presentations. For our international participants there is a German language course offered every day for one hour and all levels. Details on the course program, reading requirements and syllabus are available in advance on the Summer University’s website.

Certificate

The Viadrina Summer University Certificate requires active participation in one core course, two seminars, one workshop, three lectures and one excursion. Participants who wish to transfer their credit points to their home universities are expected to deliver a research paper and to make an in-class oral presentation. Students are entitled to earn up to 18 ECTS points. This requires participation of 45 lecture-/seminar-hours and a research paper.

Course fees and fellowships

The registration fee of 250 Euros includes tuition, course materials and other costs related to the course program. The Summer University offers 25 fellowships provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Foreign Office for foreign participants. Fellowships cover tuition, accommodation, travelling costs and a lump sum of 200 Euro towards meals and living costs. Travelling costs will be reimbursed according to the regulations of the DAAD.

The Summer University is open to a limited number of regular Viadrina students (see university calendar summer term, faculty for social and cultural sciences M.A.-part). The fee is also 250 Euro for EUV-students.

Accommodation

Participants are invited to stay in modern student apartments with single rooms and modern facilities in Słubice, Poland. The price of a single room per person for 19 nights will be around 120 Euro. Grocery stores, supermarkets and restaurants are all to be found within walking distance.

Application

Deadline for applications of international participants and DAAD-scholarships is 31st January 2012. Decisions of acceptance will be announced by 28th February 2012 by e-mail.

Deadline for applications of EUV-MA-students: 15th March 2012 (MA-KVV). Decisions of acceptance will be announced by 30th March 2012 by e-mail.

Please send us:

1. Application form ( word 97-2003, pdf )

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Letter of Motivation (one page)

4. 1 Letter of Recommendation (university professor and/or supervisor)

5. Proof of English language proficiency (Level C1 of The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Applications by ordinary mail only. All applications have to be done in English.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Kathrin Goeritz: vsu@europa-uni.de

Website: http://www.kuwi.europa-uni.de/de/studium/summeruniversity/index.html