Gutenberg International School (GIS) – Courses for Exchange Students

Information on the Winter Semester 2023/24 (30 May 2023)

Dear exchange student, even though the general course catalogue catalog for the winter semester 2023/24 has not yet been released, we can at least provide you with the first preliminary list of courses in languages other than German. You can find the downloadable version of the list here and in the download section of this page. The courses will be linked to the general course catalog as soon as this is possible You can then get more information there, if available. We will update the list regularly until the start of lectures.

As an information for you: If there is a red dot in front of the title of the course in the course catalogue, it means that this course will be offered online. Yet, please also carefully read the course description, if offered, for more detailed information. As a recommendation: If you are interested in a course from our Germersheim campus and it is offered online, it is usually no problem to attend it. Just contact the colleagues in the International Office Germersheim: intger@uni-mainz.de

The course program of the Gutenberg International School (GIS) will be updated during the summer. Important: The registration for these courses CANNOT be made via the GIS (Services) but only via the subjects that offer the individual courses (Exception: the "Conversation Classes German"!!!). Please see the individual course descriptions for more information.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you in Mainz next semester!

Info: For an overview of GIS special courses & courses offered in foreign languages in earlier semesters, please look at our archive.

GIS Special Courses in English for Exchange Students - Summer Semester 2023 - History & Culture

Course description

Since 1918, Germany has gone through various political disruptions and transitions: from monarchic rule to parliamentary democracy, from Nazi dictatorship to complete military defeat, from two separate states to one reunified country.

The seminar provides an introductory historical overview. It is open to incoming students from all academic disciplines and levels. Together we will look at major phases of German history: Why was the democratic system of the Weimar Republic so unstable? How did the Nazis establish their regime of terror? What were the main reasons for Germany to split into two antagonistic states and how did they reunite after 40 years of separation?
In addition to major political developments, we will also look at underlying social and cultural changes and how the lives of German people changed during this period.

Literature
The course is based on selected sections of the following books:
- Mary Fulbrook, A History of Germany 1918–2014: The Divided Nation, Fifth Edition. Chichester 2021.
- Peter C. Caldwell/Karrin Hanshew, Germany Since 1945. Politics, Culture, and society: London et alt. 2018 (recommended to buy).
- Helmut Walser Smith (ed.): Oxford Handbook of Modern German History, Oxford et al. 2011.
- Helmut Walser Smith: Germany. A Nation in its Time. Before, during, and after Nationalism, 1500-2000, New York 2020.

Excursion
It is planned to have at least one excursion: Heidelberg (visit of the Friederich-Ebert-Gedenkstätte) and/or to Bonn (Haus der Geschichte).

• Mary Fulbrook, A History of Germany 1918–2014: The Divided Nation, Fifth Edition. Chichester 2021.
• Peter C. Caldwell/Karrin Hanshew, Germany Since 1945. Politics, Culture, and society: London et alt. 2018 (recommended to buy).
• Helmut Walser Smith (ed.): Oxford Handbook of Modern German History, Oxford et al. 2011.
• Helmut Walser Smith: Germany. A Nation in its Time. Before, during, and after Nationalism, 1500-2000, New York 2020.

Participants & Engagement

Participants
- All incoming students from all academic fields are welcome
- History students from abroad are also invited to join the team
- No specific requirements, just interest in the overall topic and historical work
- Ability to read scientific texts in English

Engagement
- Regular attendance
- Preparation reading and active participation in seminar discussions
- Two homeworks in writing (upload in Moodle prior to the session)
- One classroom presentation to kick-off seminar discussion

This is a special course bringing together students who do not study history to get to know Germany better from a historical perspective. It is not a lecture. In fact, good discussions and results will largely depend on active participation and sharing of different views.
Preparing the sessions properly and getting a good grasp of the reading materials will be key.

Grading
Credit points
5 ECTS (class, no tutorial); class assignment + exam (see below)
8 ECTS (class + tutorial); class assignment + exam (see below)
2 ECTS (class, no tutorial); class assignment, no exam

The number of ECTS can be adjusted individually depending on the requirements of the home university.
Exam
- Option 1: Written exam (60 minutes)
- Option 2: Oral exam (15 minutes)
- Option 3: Term paper (6 – 8 pages)

Outline of Study Program
“Collapse of democracy”: The Weimar Republic (1919 – 1933)
“Rule of terror and war”: The Nazi State (1933 – 1945)
“Hour Zero” (1945 – 1949)
“Divergence and hostility”: Germanys during the “Cold War” (1949 – 1961)
“Consolidation and cohabitation”: Two Germany side by side (1961 – 1989)
“Courage and dissent”: German unification (1989 – 1990)
“New challenges”: Continuing transformation in a uniting Europe (since 1991)

Time: Wednesdays, 10:15 - 11:45
Location: Am Kisselberg, Raum K7

Credits: 2 or 5 ECTS (+3 ECTS for the tutorial)

How to register

Course offered by History: Please send an email to mrissman@uni-mainz.de with your name, Matrikelnummer (student ID) and the name of your home university.

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

The modern Rhine-Main area looks onto a rich history characterized by a multitude of diverse cultures. Its location in the heart of Europe allows us to regard it as a true cultural hub.

This interdisciplinary and primarily archaeological course aims at introducing students of all disciplines to a selection of sites and finds throughout the above mentioned timeline - focusing only on significant historic events - and to the currently main applied methods.

It is open to all exchange students and all students of the JGU and consists of a seminar (2 hrs.) and an obligatory tutorial (2 hrs.). A field trip to some prominent sites in Mainz will be offered towards the end of the course, if possible.

The students will undertake 2 exams, whereby they have the choice between a German and an English version. They will also contribute a short presentation (15 mins.) that will be graded according to the German system. Both exams, which they will have to pass with at least 60% each and the presentation (at least grade/Note 4) are obligatory to receive their credit points (6 ECTS in total).

This course is only suited for advanced students (4 semesters or more) with a minimum B2 language level in German and/or English, or better. Knowledge of the Latin language is of advantage.

Time: Mondays, 12:15 - 13:45
Location: online

Credits: 6 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Pre-History: Send an email to J. Reiss-Gupte, M.A. jreissma@uni-mainz.de providing the following information:
• your first and your last name and your JGU-Matrikelnummer (if you already have one)
• your field of study/subject, semester, and your home university’s name

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

Culture Studies I focuses on American history from early settlement to the 20th century while Culture Studies II puts a stronger focus on current topis in American culture. Both courses are offered in several parallel courses. For more information including times and locations please see course catalogue below.

Credits: 4 ECTS for each course

How to register

Course offered by American Studies: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Culture Studies I:  Course catalogue

Link: Culture Studies II: Course catalogue

 

Course description

Culture Studies I & III English Literature & Culture offer an introductory insight into British history and culture. Both courses are offered in several parallel courses. For more information including times and locations please see course catalogue below.

Credits: 4 ECTS for each course

How to register

Course offered by English Literature & Culture: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Culture Studies I:  Course catalogue

Link: Culture Studies III: Course catalogue

 

Course description

This course aims at introducing students to the current (state-of-the-art) research concerning issues related to non-dominant, less-widely spoken, often marginalized and endangered linguistic communities in different parts of the world. A special focus, though, in the course is paid to regional and minority/heritage language (RMHL) issues in Europe. In the course, students are introduced to different theoretical approaches and research directions concerning minority and heritage languages. In addition, students explore historical, sociopolitical and economic implications for language policies and practices concerning RMHL, and critically discuss the role and symbolic values attached to these languages in different speech communities. The topics of the course include (but are not limited to) language ideologies/attitudes toward minorities, minority language policy and planning, language loss, death and endangerment, language revitalization and reclamation, language shift and maintenance, family language planning, linguistic human rights, among others.

Time: Wednesdays, 12:15 - 13:45
Location: Bausparkasse Mainz (BKM), room SR 06

Credits: 4 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Linguistics: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

n/a

Time: Wednesdays, 10:15 - 11:45
Location: Philosophicum, room P1

Credits: 2 ECTS

Kursanmeldung

Course offered by American Studies: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

In recent years, a majority of conservative justices at the US Supreme Court have either overturned or are now considering overturning previous landmark rulings on voting rights, abortion, gun control, and affirmative action. In this course, we will explore these recent decisions and deliberations in light of the Supreme Court's history and its role in the political system of the United States. We will study how previous decisions of the Supreme Court have shaped the political and constitutional development of the United States.

Recommended readings:

The American Yawp: A Massively Collaborative Open U.S. History Textbook, https://www.americanyawp.com/.

Baker, Paula, and Donald T. Critchlow, editors. The Oxford Handbook of American Political History. Oxford University Press, 2020, doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199341788.001.0001.

Boyer, Paul S., editor. The Oxford Companion to United States History. Oxford University Press, 2006, http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/BOOK_SEARCH.html?book=t119.

Critchlow, Donald. American Political History: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2015, doi:10.1093/actrade/9780199340057.001.0001.

Jillson, Calvin C. American Government: Political Development and Institutional Change. Routledge, 2018.

Kazin, Michael et al., editors. The Princeton Encyclopedia of American Political History. Princeton University Press, 2010, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt7rkd3.

Kernell, Samuel, and Gary C. Jacobson. The Logic of American Politics. CQ Press, 2003.

Lepore, Jill. These Truths: A History of the United States. Norton, 2018.

McKay, David. American Politics and Society. Wiley & Sons, 2017.

Time: Fridays, 10:15 - 11:45
Location: Philosophicum, room P12

Credits: 4 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by American Studiese: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

In this class, we will explore the contemporary British media landscape. We will establish a theoretical framework – what are news media in the present day? How do they operate in general and in Great Britain specifically? What are news values, and how do they impact reporting? We will always bring this theoretical framework to bear on current news articles, reports and commentary. We will equally examine how British media are changing – for example, how does the lack of traditional gatekeeping in the news, e.g. on services like Twitter, change the media landscape? Finally, we may also look at British media from the perspective of narrative fiction: how are the media represented in contemporary serials and films?

Time: Thursdays, 10:15 - 11:45
Location: Forum Universitatis 7, room 01-716 (HS 13)

Credits: 4 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by English Literature and Culture: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

European cinema changed profoundly after the Second World War. First came Italian Neorealism, a movement that rejected the artificiality and classist bias of the previous generation’s cinema. Then, from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, the directors of the French Nouvelle Vague took newly developed, lightweight cameras to the streets, intent on authentically capturing the postwar generation’s struggles and expressing their cinephilia. Something similar happened at roughly the same time in British cinema: young filmmakers like Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson and Karel Reisz, often referred to as the British New Wave, worked from a comparable premise of almost documentarian realism and enormous political awareness, with the express goal of remaking the British film landscape. This class will explore some of their most important films. We will focus on closely analysing the films and their relationship with postwar British culture.

Time: Thursdays, 14:15 - 15:45
Location: Philosophicum, room P 110

Credits: 4 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by English Literature and Culture: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

The tutorial is open for all exchange students. Subject and academic level do not matter as this tutorial is meant to give a general insight into academic work at the JGU (especially academic writing).
Over the course of the semester, you will be expected to complete three writing tasks to be granted your Active Participation.

The Tutorial (worth 3 ECTS) introduces students from abroad to the techniques of academic work within the German university context. By attending this tutorial students will be able to meet formal requirements concerning literature research, presentations and term papers which are also very useful for other courses they will attend while studying at the JGU Mainz.
Topics discussed include:
- An introduction to the various databases accessable at the JGU, as well as other digital tools such as Padlet or Kahoot
- The draft and refining of research questions
- The search, critical analysis and incorporation of primary sources
- Searching for and working with different types of secondary literature
- Working with citations and footnotes within assignments such as term papers
- Preperation of presentations and oral exams
Teaching language: English (and German, in accordance with the participants).

Time: 12:15 - 13:45
Location: Am Kisselberg, room K3

Credits: 3 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by History: Please send an email to mrissman@uni-mainz.de with your name, Matrikelnummer (student ID) and your home university.

Link: Website

 

GIS Special Courses in English for Exchange Students - Summer Semester 2023 - Social Sciences & Society

Course description

Contemporary Research in Social Sciences (CRiSS) is a recurring lecture series organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Media and Sports of Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz. Members of the faculty present their current research projects in English and provide an insight into their research activities. Thereby, students learn about the research conducted in their immediate environment beyond their standard courses. They get to know the subjects and methods which characterize the faculty and receive an impression of their lecturers’ working profiles and common research practice.

The group of presenters comprises young researchers from all of the faculty’s disciplines: Communication Studies, Educational Science, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Sports Science. CRiSS provides an opportunity for students as well as researchers from neighboring disciplines to exchange thoughts, network and cooperate.

The lectures are held in English to enable an international exchange – with students as well as visiting researchers.

ECTS-points: Attendance yields 2 ECTS, if your department does not state otherwise. Exchange students can achieve 5 ECTS (graded) if they take the tutorial and spend an exam. Exchange students, please tell us during registation if you want only to take the lecture (2 ECTS) or the additional tutorial as well (3 ECTS).

For further information on this year’s lecture series, see: https://www.sozialwissenschaften.uni-mainz.de/criss/

Time: Wednesdays, 18:15 - 19:45 (Lecture) & Fridays, 12:15 - 13:45 (Tutorial)
Location: Naturwissenschaftliches Institutsgebäude (NatFak), Raum N25 & Georg-Forster-Gebäude (GFG), room 02-731 (Tutorial)

Credits: 2 ECTS (Lecture) & 3 ECTS (Tutorial)

How to register

Course offered by Faculty 02: Please add the course to the course registration formular for exchange students and contact your "coordinator" for admission. Your coordinator can register you in Jogustine, or you or the coordinator contact sowiso@uni-mainz.de for registration (we need your student ID/Matrikelnummer therefore). Please tell us if your registration is for the lecture only or also for the tutorial (see futher information unter "Inhalt/Content").

Link: Lecture & Tutorial

 

Course description

The course is designed for regular students and international exchange students from the social sciences and neighboring disciplines. It begins with an overview of global population trends and patterns, and their causes and consequences of demographic change across the world. Next, it elaborates on the interdependencies of population and sustainable development. In a small conference at the end of the course, all participants are given the opportunity to present and discuss a sub-topic they have chosen themselves and prepared with the help of the lecturer.
At 8 billion, world population is still growing, albeit at a diminishing pace. Global population growth is projected to peak at 10.4 billion during the 2080s. In the meantime, most growth is expected to take place in the poorest countries, most of them in Sub-Sahara Africa. Is there a sustainable future for a growing global population?
Fighting poverty and hunger, investing in quality of life for those most in need and reducing inequalities are key pillars of sustainable development. Achieving these goals without further increasing the ecological footprint beyond the earth’s carrying capacity is a joint global responsibility. “Overconsumption” of the rich is a major concern for reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The richest ten percent of world’s population is responsible for almost half of all CO2 emissions, while the contribution of the poorest half, which is still growing, is negligible at less than ten percent.
Recommended readings:

Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung (Hrsg.) (2018): Atlas zur Weltbevölkerung. Karten – Daten – Fakten. Wiesbaden.
https://www.bib.bund.de/Publikation/2018/pdf/Atlas-zur-Weltbevoelkerung.pdf

Swiaczny, F. et al. (2021): Globale Bevölkerungsentwicklung. BiB.Bevölkerungs.Studien 1.2021. Wiesbaden. https://www.bib.bund.de/Publikation/2021/pdf/Globale-Bevoelkerungsentwicklung.pdf

Swiaczny. F. (2022): Bevölkerung und nachhaltige Entwicklung. In: Vereinte Nationen 3/2022: 99-104. https://zeitschrift-vereinte-nationen.de/suche/zvn/artikel/bevoelkerung-und-nachhaltige-entwicklung

UN DESA (2021): Global Population Growth and Sustainable Development. New York. Edited by L. Basarsky, C. Menotti, J. Wilmoth and F. Swiaczny. https: www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/undesa_pd_2022_global_population_growth.pdf

Time: Friday, 05.05.2023: 14:15 - 17:45; Friday, 02.06.2023: 14:15 - 15:45; Friday, 23.06.2023: 14:15 - 17:45 & Saturday, 24.06.2023: 10:15 - 15:45
Location: Georg-Forster Gebäude (GFG), room 04-111 (Dekanatssaal)

Credits: 5 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Faculty 02: Please add the course to the course registration formular for exchange students and contact your "coordinator" for admission. Your coordinator can register you in Jogustine, or you or the coordinator contact sowiso@uni-mainz.de for registration (we need your student ID/Matrikelnummer therefore).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

This course aims to examine the fascinating interconnected world of Israeli media and Israeli politics. With five national elections in the past three and a half years, more than a dozen political parties comprising a diversity of left and right, conservative and liberal, Jewish and Arab, religious and secular, it could be argued that Israelis are currently debating their most fundamental beliefs and ideas, or indeed are they?. In this course, we will explore the system, the players, the issues, and the ongoing events in Israeli politics as they unfold. Moreover, we will examine the Israeli media and the role it is playing in the current political upheavals and occurrences. While the course reading will include theoretical and empirical scientific literature, the consumption of Israeli news and\or German\other news discussing Israel is highly encouraged during the semester.
*Please note that this course will be taught in English.
Time: Wednesdays, 16:15 - 17:45
Location: Forum 7, room HS13

Credits: 3 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Faculty 02: Please add the course to the course registration formular for exchange students and contact your "coordinator" for admission. Your coordinator can register you in Jogustine, or you or the coordinator contact sowiso@uni-mainz.de for registration (we need your student ID/Matrikelnummer therefore).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

This course is designed to introduce the basic theories and concepts of international relations, and to familiarize the students with the way these are applied in the political science context to understanding of contemporary international issues. The course is organized in two parts, the first part concentrates on the main theories of international relations. The second part of the course will focus on case studies, application of the theoretical knowledge on current issues.

Please note: This is not a class in which to learn English; it is a class to learn about International Relations theories and their application. The course is held exclusively in English and directed primarily at native speakers, exchange students and students with a high level of proficiency in English. There will not be any regular translations into German and all course work must be completed in English. The only exception to this rule is the term paper, which you can do in either German or English.

Time: Wednesdays, 14:15 - 15:45
Location: Georg-Forster Gebäude (GFG), room 02-607

Credits: 3 or 5 or 9 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Political Science: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

The course is designed to give a general overview of the German Civil Code ("Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch", BGB)). All main chapters of the Civil Code, the so-called „books" („Bücher"), and the respective doctrines of German private law will be addressed. This includes:
I. the book of general provisions of the German civil code (first book)
II. the law of obligations (second book)
III. the law of things (third book)
IV. family law (fourth book)
V. law of succession (fifth book)
Furthermore, the course will provide the basic knowledge of the Code of Civil Procedure („Zivilprozessordnung" (ZPO)) and the Commercial Code („Handelsgesetzbuch", HGB) which is needed to understand the respective links to the Civil Code.
As the title of the course indicates, students should have a basic understanding of German private law after completion of the course which may qualify them to enlarge their knowledge of specific fields of German private law. Prior knowledge of private law would be beneficial but is not necessary for a successful completion of the course.

Time: Tuesdays, 08:30 - 10:00
Location: Philosophicum, room P13

Credits: 4 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Law:

Registration for Exchange students in the Gutenberg School of Law: Please add the course to the specific course registration form for law students.
Registration for Exchange students from other departments: Please add the course to the general course registration form for Exchange students from GIS and send it to erasmus-jura@uni-mainz.de.

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

This seminar introduces students to the field of economic sociology by focusing on the economic actions and outcomes of immigrants and ethnic minorities. Economic sociology is a subfield of sociology that studies how social processes and structures help to produce and reproduce economic and social inequalities. The seminar will cover a range of sociological explanations for economic activities and processes and focus on the sociology of different types of markets. Thereby, students will learn about key mechanism by which markets are organized, such as social networks and institutions. We will read classical texts in economic sociology introducing the basic concepts and theories as well as contemporary empirical research applications from the literature on immigration and ethnic diversity.

Key readings:

- Portes, A. (Ed.). (1995). The economic sociology of immigration: Essays on networks, ethnicity, and entrepreneurship. Russell Sage Foundation.

- Smelser, Neil J., and Richard Swedberg. The handbook of economic sociology. Vol. 752. Princeton, NJ: Princeton university press, 2005.

- Swedberg, R., & Granovetter, M. (2018). The Sociology of Economic Life. Routledge.

The course language is English. Students are expected to read the assigned literature each week and prepare short response papers (max. 500 words) with two discussion questions before class as well as to actively participate in class. Each student is also expected to co-lead one class meeting, involving a presentation of the main arguments of the readings for the week as well as assist in facilitating the class discussion. In a final term paper, students are asked to develop an original research proposal.

Time: Tuesdays, 10:15 - 11:45
Location: Georg-Forster-Gebäude (GFG), room 01-521 (PC Pool)

Credits: 7 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Sociology: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

Course description

In Germany, we live in the privileged situation of a free, democratic media system - but even a glimpse to some of our neighbours within the European Union presents a different situation. The lecture will introduce you to a variety of media landscapes around the world, give an overview on structural conditions and restraints for journalists within different countries and look at press and media freedom worldwide. Certainly, the effects of globalization on journalistic work and the reception of it will be an important aspect, too. Within the lecture we will skype, meet and talk with different journalists and academics with a research focus on media and journalism from around the world to underpin the theoretical inputs with first-hand experiences.

Time & Location: see course catalogue (block course)

Credits: 3 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Journalism: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

In this seminar, we will deepen and apply the knowledge of media geography theory acquired in the past winter semester. In order to apply our theoretical knowledge of media geography to relevant topics in everyday life contexts, we will explore the connection between geographical perspectives and media forms as well as specific subdisciplines of media geography (e.g. photography, film, videogames, comics, journalism, sound & music, street art). Thereby, the seminar will focus on how geography and different media formats are related and can be researched. The topics are addressed in the sessions and build the basis for the major activity: the creation of a media geography blog. Therefore, you will implement an individual topic of your choice as a final (graded) project in a multimedia portfolio and gain skills in the field of academic blogging (submission: November 1st 2023). The course will take place as a multi-day workshop between 24-28 July 2023. The exact schedule will be announced in our preliminary meeting on 30 March (hybrid).

Time: Block seminar - see course catalogue
Location: Naturwissenschaftliches Institutsgebäude (NatFak), room N239

Credits: 5 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Geography: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

n/a

Time: Tuesdays, 12:15 - 13:45
Location: Office of Prof. Cummings, Naturwissenschaftliches Institutsgebäude (NatFak), room 02-184

Credits: 5 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Geography: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

In this seminar we will engage with theoretical and practical developments in the context of African feminist movements. The diversity of African feminist approaches and their respective heterogeneous historical geneses, in the broader field of feminist and political anthropology, will be central to our discussions. By way of readings from African and African-diasporan contexts, we will work through an intersectional range of topics including gender and sexuality, class, racism, colonialism; we will consider existing attempts at differentiating between ‘white’ and ‘non-white’ feminisms; we will consider the language and political demands that are linked to these positions; and will take into consideration the gendered roles of women and men across these movements. This seminar a) offers anthropological reflections on African Feminisms as method and theorical tool for the analysis of global injustices and political processes (activism, research, policy making etc.), b) opposes the ongoing marginalization of African feminist thinkers and theorists across anthropological canons, c) contextualises African feminist theory-making on the spectrum of what are commonly referred to as ‘Black Feminisms’, and d) contributes to a more nuanced understanding of what we commonly refer to as ‘Feminism’ in general.

Recommended readings:

African Feminist Charter (2007) African Women’s Development Fund. https://awdf.org/the-african-feminist-charter/

Ali, Suki, Coate, Kelly and Wangui wa Goro (eds.) (2000) Global Feminist Politics. Identities in a Changing World. London/New York: Routlegde.

Amadiume, Ifi (1987) Male Daughters, Female Husbands: Gender and Sex in an African Society. London: Zed Books.

Assubuji, P., Ba, S., Egelho, N., Kioko, C., Lopes, C., Umunna, M. and M. Judge (2021) Perspectives Africa: African Feminisms Across Generations, Issue 1, June 2021. Heinrich Böll Stiftung/Hansa Print: Cape Town. https://www.boell.de/de/2021/07/14/african-feminisms-across-generations-perspectives-012021-afrikanische-feminismen-quer

Baksh, Rawwida and Wendy Harcourt (eds.) (2015) The Oxford Handbook of Transnational Feminist Movements. Oxford University Press.

Cornwall, Andrea (ed.) (2005) Readings in Gender in Africa. Oxford : Currey Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.

Dieng, Rama Salla (2020) Talking Back: African Feminisms in Dialogue. A series with africasacountry.com, available at: https://africasacountry.com/2020/05/talking-back-african-feminisms-in-dialogue

Graneß, Anke, Kopf, Martina und Magdalena Kraus (2019) Feministische Theorien aus Afrika, Asien und Lateinamerika. Eine Einführung. Stuttgart: utb.

Guma, Prince (2015) Feminist Solidarity: How Women are Shaping the Way we Think about Sex and Politics in Uganda. Africa Review 7(1): 15-27.

Kitunga, D., and M. Mbilinyi. (2006). “Notes on Transformative Feminism.” Ulingo wa Jinsia (July–September): 1–4.

Kitunga, Demere and Marjorie Mbilinyi (2009) Rooting Transformative Feminist Struggles in Tanzania at Grassroots. Review of African Political Economy 121: 433-441.

Kwame, Safro (1995): Feminism and African Philosophy, In: ders. (Ed.): Readings in African Philosophy: An Akan Collection, New York, S. 253-265.

Lihamba, Amandina, Moyo, Fulata (et.al.) (eds.) (2007) Women Writing Africa. The Eastern Region. New York: The Feminist Press.

Mama, Amina (2015) Feminism and pan-Africanism. Rondebosch: Africa Gender Institute. Available at: http://www.agi.ac.za/agi/feminist-africa/20/

Nyabola, Nanjala and Marie-Emmanuelle Pommerolle (eds.) (2018) Where Women Are: Gender and the 2017 Kenyan Elections. Nairobi, Kenya: Twaweza Communications Ltd.

Nyeck, S. N. (2020) Routledge Handbook of Queer African Studies. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Nzwegwu, Nkira (2004): Feminism and Africa: Impact and Limits of the Metaphysics of Gender, In: Wiredu (Ed.) A Companion to African Philosophy, Oxford [u.a.], S. 560-569.

Oduk, Helen (2002): Feminist Philosophy: An African Perspective. In: Presbey, Gail u.a. (Eds.): Thought an Practice in African Philosophy, Nairobi.

Okech, Awino (2021) 'Feminist Digital Counterpublics: Challenging Femicide in Kenya and South Africa'. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, (46) 4, pp 1013-1033.

Okech, Awino (2020) 'African Feminist Epistemic Communities and Decoloniality'. Critical African Studies, (12) 3, pp 313-329.

Oye?wu`mi´, Oye`ro´nke´? (2005) African Gender Studies: A Reader. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Oye?wu`mi´, Oye`ro´nke´? (1997) The Invention of Women: Making an African Sense of Western Gender Disourses. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

Spronk, Rachel and Thomas Hendriks (eds.) (2020) Readings in Sexualities from Africa. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.

Taiwo, Olefumi (2003): Feminism and Africa: Reflections on the Poverty of Theory, In: Oyewumi, Oyeronke: African Women and Feminism: Reflecting on the Politics of Sisterhood. Amsara (Eritrea), 45-66.

Tamale, Sylvia (2020) Decolonization and Afro-Feminism: An Afro-Feminist-Legal Critique. Daraja Press.

Ukpokolo, Chinyere (2016) Being and Becoming: Gender, Culture and Shifting Identity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Denver, CO: Spears Media Press.

Vergès, Francoise (2021) A Decolonial Feminism. London: Pluto Press.

Wangui wa Goro (2016) Know your African Feminists. Interview. African Feminist Forum. Harare, Zimbabwe: April 2016. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0ZY8TyQpEQ

Time: Tuesdays, 12:15 - 13:45
Location: Forum Universitatis 7, room 01-715 (HS 14)

Credits: 4 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Anthropology and African Studies: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

In this course (3 ECTS), exchange students learn the ABC for successful social science studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University. Participants will be able to meet the formal requirements of academic work in terms of literature research, oral presentations and term papers. The course offers you a flying start and equips you for a successful semester abroad at JGU.

Course Work:

To successfully take part in the tutorial students will have to fulfill the following requirements:

Short oral presentation + term paper + class participation

In the tutorial, the students obtain 3 ECTS credits for participation, written term paper, short oral presentation, and homework assignment.

Time: Wednesdays, 12:15 - 13:45
Location: Georg-Forster-Gebäude (GFG), room 02-709

Credits: 3 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by Faculty 02: Please add the course to the course registration formular for exchange students and contact your "coordinator" for admission. Your coordinator can register you in Jogustine, or you or the coordinator contact sowiso@uni-mainz.de for registration (your student ID/Matrikelnummer is needed for this).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

We are a group of students from the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU) and organize our own conference from students for students. Because we study a variety of subjects (humanities, social sciences and natural sciences) we try to provide a conference with an interdisciplinary claim. If you want to join our organization team, feel free to contact us.

Time: please inquire with Dr. Daniel Schmicking
Location: please inquire with Dr. Daniel Schmicking

Credits: possible, please inquire with Dr. Daniel Schmicking (schmicki@uni-mainz.de)

How to register

Please inquire with Dr. Daniel Schmicking (schmicki@uni-mainz.de)

Link: Website

 

GIS Special Courses in German for Exchange Students - Summer Semester 2023 - Learning German

Course description

The ISSK offers German courses on the level A1-C2 along with the studies for students in the following study programs:

  • ERASMUS
  • International exchange programs (international partnership programs)
  • English study programs
  • Study programs with exemption from the DSH and German language requirements
  • Other international students in B.A. and M.A. degree programs
Courses on level A1-B2

The ISSK German courses that can be taken parallel to the various courses of studies are addressed to students who are already enrolled in a study program at Mainz University (JGU).

Classes at levels A1, A2, B1, B2.1, B2.2 meet twice a week for a total of 6 academic units per week and run throughout the semester teaching period.
For every course which you have successfully completed you can obtain 6 ECTS credit points.

Prerequisites for a graded course certificate and 6 ECTS credit points are the following:

  • regular attendance
  • active participation
  • preparation of homework tasks
  • plus some additional shorter tests and a successful final exam.

Times & locations: here (once available)

Credits: 4 or 6 ECTS (see individual course)

How to register

Please find information on registration here: https://issk-en.uni-mainz.de/registration-for-the-german-courses/

Link: ISSK

 

Courses on level C1-C2

SB1: German C1 courses accompanying the studies (SB = “studienbegleitend”)

Prerequisite for admission: good knowledge of German at an advanced level (i.e. with completed B2.2 level)
Target groups:

  • Students who have passed the DSH exam with the result DSH-2 and achieved between 60 and 67% in one or more sections
  • Test-DaF graduates with the result 4xTDN4, 3xTDN4 and 1xTDN5, respectively
  • ERASMUS students or ‘program students’ (= participants of study courses with mandatory language requirements) who have reached C1 level in the placement test or in a previous course

Course offerings include independent modules of 2-4 semester hours (SWS) each that have to be taken successively.

 

SB2: German C2 courses accompanying the studies

Prerequisite for admission: very good knowledge of German (i.e. a high or completed C1 level)
Target groups:

  • Students with a DSH score of 75% or TestDaf with score TDN 4455
  • ERASMUS students or program students who have reached a high C1 level or a C2 level in the placement test or in a previous course

The focus of these courses (with 2-4 semester hours per week) is academic German or German for Specific Purposes.

Times & locations: here (once available)

Credits: 2-6 ECTS

How to register

Please find information on registration here: https://issk-en.uni-mainz.de/registration-for-the-german-courses/

Link: ISSK

 

General information

Der Kurs richtet sich an ausländische Studierende auf Masterniveau, Promovierende, Postdocs, Gastwissenschaftler*innen und Mitarbeiter*innen der JGU mit einem abgeschlossenen B1-Niveau.
Da das Ziel des Kurses eine erste gezielte sprachliche Vorbereitung auf den Berufseinstieg für Akademiker in Deutschland ist, ist der Kurs für Teilnehmende vorgesehen, die nach dem Studium oder der Promotion einen berufsbezogenen Aufenthalt in Deutschland planen.

Inhaltlich liegt der Fokus deshalb auf Themen wie Studium/Promotion in Deutschland, Arbeitswelt, Bewerbungstraining, Interkulturelle Kommunikation im Studium und Beruf.
Im Bereich der Grammatik werden die wichtigsten Inhalte der Basisgrammatik A1-B1 wiederholt und gefestigt sowie neue grammatische Phänomene der B2.1 Stufe eingeführt.

Times & locations: here (once available)

Credits: 6 ECTS

How to register

Please find information on registration here: https://issk-en.uni-mainz.de/registration-for-the-german-courses/

Link: ISSK

 

Course description

The German Conversation Course is intended for exchange students of all subjects with at least completed A2 level who wish to improve their oral expression skills in German and are willing to participate orally in class on a regular basis. Otherwise, students cannot benefit from this course.
The emphasis is on free speaking, which is practiced on the basis of current topics and topics related to Germany.

Important: course registration is only possible via email to gis@international.uni-mainz.de and NOT via the form "Course Registration for Exchange Students". Please send an e-mail during the registration period with your certified German level (if available) and the following information: Last name, first name, country of origin, home university, subject, German level, matriculation number (if already available), e-mail address. Please also state if you have already taken part in a conversation course at JGU. For course A2/B1, please also indicate whether you prefer course A or course B or whether both courses would be an option (of course, you can only attend one course).

Registrations will be accepted from 07.04.2023 up to and including 13.04.2023!!! On 14.04.2023 you will be informed whether you have a place in the course or are on the waiting list.

Earlier registration will unfortunately be ignored. If there are more registrations than places, a waiting list will be introduced and informed accordingly. Students who wish to participate in the conversation course for the first time will be prioritized. Students who have already participated in such a course at JGU can only participate if there are places remaining.

To participate in the A2/B1 course you must have completed at least level A2, to participate in the B2/C1 course you must have completed at least level B2. If your language skills are not at least A2, unfortunately you will not be able to participate in the conversation course because you do not have the appropriate qualifications.

In the first course session, the course instructors will check again whether your language skills match the corresponding course. If this is not the case, you could be placed in the other course. If during the check it is noticed that the speaking abilities are lower than A2, you will not be able to participate in the course, unfortunately.

Please note that the courses will not start until the 2nd week of lectures.

Completed A2 or B1 Level - Course A

Time: Wednesdays, 08:15 - 09:45
Location: Philosophicum, room P110

Credits: 1-4 ECTS

 

Completed A2 or B1 Level - Course B

Time: Wednesdays, 12:15 - 13:45
Location: Kisselberg, room K4

Credits: 1-4 ECTS

 

Completed B2 or C1 Level

Time: Thursdays, 10:15 - 11:45
Location: Philosophicum, room P208

Credits: 1-4 ECTS

 

How to register

Course offered by GIS in cooperation with German Studies: see course description

Link: Course catalogue (A2/B1 - Course A), Course catalogue (A2/B1 - Course B) & Course catalogue (B2/C1)

 

Course description

In dieser Übung werden zentrale Bereiche der Grammatik des Deutschen behandelt wie etwa Wortart-, Satzgliedbestimmung und Satzstruktur. Ziel ist die Vermittlung eines fundierten grammatischen Basiswissens, das sowohl für ein Linguistikstudium als auch für den Deutschunterricht an Schulen eine wesentliche Voraussetzung ist.

!!!Please be aware: These courses do not serve the aim of language acquisition and are no courses in which you practice German grammar, as they are linguistic courses intended for a German native speaker audience!!!

Recommended literature

Gallmann, Peter et al. 2017. Schülerduden. Grammatik. 8. Auflage. Mannheim: Dudenverlag.
Pittner, Karin und Judith Bermann. 2021. Deutsche Syntax. Ein Arbeitsbuch. 7. Auflage. Tübingen: Narr.

Austauschstudierende: In dieser Veranstaltung können Sie zwischen 1 und 4 ECTS-Punkte erwerben. Genauere Informationen erhalten Sie in der ersten Sitzung.

 

Time: 4 courses available, please see course catalogue
Location: see individual course in the course catalogue

Credits: 1-4 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by German Studies: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

Arthur Schnitzler (1862-1931) zählt mit seinen Dramen und Erzählungen zu den bedeutendsten Schriftstellern des „Jungen Wien“. Mit seiner berühmten Erzählung „Traumnovelle“ (1925/1926) widmet sich die Veranstaltung einem späten Text aus der Zeit nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg und dem Ende der Habsburgermonarchie. Erste Ideen zur Erzählung reichen jedoch weit zurück, und thematisch wie motivisch lassen sich an ihr wesentliche Spezifika von Arthur Schnitzlers Prosakunst aufzeigen. Die „Traumnovelle“ gehört zu den populärsten Texten Schnitzlers. Sie wurde von Stanley Kubrick mit Nicole Kidman und Tom Cruise („Eyes Wide Shut“, 1999) prominent verfilmt.

Die Übung zielt vor allem auf ein gründliches sprachliches, inhaltliches und strukturelles Verständnis des Textes, das im Rahmen einer schrittweisen, gemeinsamen Lektüre im Unterricht gewonnen werden soll.
Empfohlene Literatur
Bitte beschaffen Sie sich für den Unterricht unbedingt folgende Textausgabe, sie ist im Buchhandel erhältlich:
Arthur Schnitzler: Traumnovelle. Hg. v. Sabine Wolf. Stuttgart: Reclam, 2013 (= Reclam XL, Text und Kontext; Band 19042). ISBN: 9783150190425.

Als Ergänzung empfiehlt sich zudem:
Heizmann, Bertold: Erläuterungen und Dokumente zu Arthur Schnitzler: Traumnovelle. Stuttgart: Reclam, 2006 (= Reclams Universal-Bibliothek, Band: 16054).

Time: Thursdays, 10:00 - 11:45
Location: Bausparkasse Mainz (BKM), room SR 05

Credits: 4 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by German Studies: Exclusively via email from Monday, April 17, 2023, 8:00 a.m. to Friday, April 21, 6:00 p.m. (please stick to this time frame). You will be notified via email on Monday, April 24. Email address: ywolf@uni-mainz.de

Link: Course catalogue

 

Course description

In diesem Seminar beschäftigen wir uns mit den Grundlagen der Mehrsprachigkeit und der sog. Mehrsprachigkeitsdidaktik. Das Ziel ist, für die vielen Sprachen, die Lernende mit in den Fremdspracheunterricht bringen, zu sensibilisieren und sie beim Sprachenlernen aktiv zu nutzen.

Kursleitung: Frau Ann-Kathrin Fierus

Please mind that the course only starts in the 2nd week of the lecture period (i.e. first session is on 25.04.)

Time: Tuesdays, 16:15 – 17:45
Location: Philosophicum, roomP 15

Credits: 3-4 ECTS (abhängig von der Prüfungsform)

How to register:

Course offered by Deutsch als Fremdsprache / Deutsch als Zweitsprache: Please use the form "Anmeldung Lehrveranstaltungen für Austauschstudierende" (after immatriculation).

 

Course description

The Tutorial (3 ECTS) introduces students from abroad to the techniques of academic work within the German university context. By attending this tutorial students will be able to meet formal requirements concerning literature research, presentations and term papers which are also very useful for other courses they will attend while studying at the JGU Mainz.

Topics discussed include:
- An introduction to the various databases accessable at the JGU, as well as other digital tools such as Padlet or Kahoot
- The draft and refining of research questions
- The search, critical analysis and incorporation of primary sources
- Searching for and working with different types of Secondary Literature
- Working with citations and footnotes within assignments such as term papers
- Preperation of presentations and oral exams

Teaching language: English (and German, in accordance with the participants).

Time: 12:15 - 13:45
Location: Am Kisselberg, room K3

Credits: 3 ECTS

How to register

Course offered by History: Please send an email to mrissman@uni-mainz.de with your name, Matrikelnummer (student ID) and your home university.

Link: Website

 

Course description

We are a group of students from the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU) and organize our own conference from students for students. Because we study a variety of subjects (humanities, social sciences and natural sciences) we try to provide a conference with an interdisciplinary claim. If you want to join our organization team, feel free to contact us.

Time: please inquire with Dr. Daniel Schmicking
Location: please inquire with Dr. Daniel Schmicking

Credits: possible, please inquire with Dr. Daniel Schmicking (schmicki@uni-mainz.de)

How to register

Please inquire with Dr. Daniel Schmicking (schmicki@uni-mainz.de)

Link: Website

For an overview of special courses for exchange-students in earlier semesters, please visit our archive.