Lecturer: Philip Schnaars

Course Nr.: 15304.0133

Date/Time: Mon. 17:45-19:15h

Location: online

Credit Points: 3

When governments regulate energy markets, they might have different goals in mind. They can aim at reducing market power in a monopoly in order to keep prices at a certain level, maintain security of supply of critical goods such as natural gas or, in light of climate change, incentivize firms and consumers to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. This course introduces the economic principles of energy markets in Europe and investigates the reasons and consequences of various forms of regulation. Students will learn how the European Union and individual member states interact in the regulatory process and understand the reasons for implemented policy measures.

Appearance during the first session is mandatory.

Lecturer: Dr. Thilo Zimmermann

Course Nr.: 15304.0126

Date/Time: Wed.16:00-17:30

Location: online

Credit Points: 3

What is European integration? When did European integration start? How did people try to modelize and legitimate European integration? Where should Europe, according to these theories, lead to?

This course provides an introduction into theories of European integration. We will analyse the origins and presumptions of the most important theories, such as federalism, neo-functionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism. The course will highlight the historic background on which these theories have been developed. Furthermore, it will be shown how theories of European integration combine theories of polical science and economics. It will be demonstarted that different presumtion of these theories do also lead to different understandings of what is the scope of European integration. Should Europe become a federal super state, or a loose economic confederation?

Troughout the course students will also be invited to compare European integration to other processes of regional integration, such as in Latin America, the Arab world, in Africa (African Union), Asia (e.g. ASEAN) and especially the historical evolution of the United States political system.

Finally, the course will give an outlook on current topics in European integration (such as Brexit or the consequences of the Corona pandemic), how do the different theories anayse these challanges?

Appearance during the first session is mandatory.

Lecturer: Dr. Heike Berner

Course Nr.: 15304.0131

Date/Time: Tue. 14:00-15:30h

Location: online

Credit Points: 3

This course is an introduction to visual art in Europe since the 14th century.

While the course cannot provide a comprehensive summary of the development of art since that time, it focuses on a roughly chronological set of case studies, which will help us understand the character and purpose of art in different historical circumstances. We will take into account the cultural and political environment of the time and will pay particular attention to the places they were created in.

The course will be held online. Hybrid sessions (face-to-face for those able to attend in person plus online for virtual students) as well as excursions to see art at museums are planned for those who are presently in Cologne.

Active student participation is a central element of this course.

Due to limited number of participants, it is mandatory to show up at the first session in order to secure your spot.

Lecturer: Benjamin Naujoks

Course Nr.: 15304.0132

Date/Time: Tue. 10:00 - 11:30h

Location: online

Credit Points: 3

History of modern sports is also a history of modern and contemporary Europe. Critical questions in terms of europeanization, post-colonialism as well as globalization are closely linked to the invention, evolution, and establishment of what we nowadays call „sports“. So, this course covers modern and contemporary history of Europe in a global context, from the 18th century to the present. The approach is: learning by examples (e.g. football, tennis, olympics etc.) about the methodologies and sources of history in general, and about the history of sports in special. The overall course objective is to enable participants to independently break up and (re-)question apparently taken-for-granted perspectives, narratives, and contexts, especially with regard to issues of race, class, and gender.

Due to limited number of participants, it is mandatory to show up at the first session in order to secure your spot.

Lecturer: Benjamin Naujoks

Course Nr.: 15304.0135

Date/Time: Thu. 10:00 - 11:30h

Location: online

Credit Points: 3

This course aims to give a greater perspective on independence — in a plural way — in Eastern Europe. Therefore, theories and terms — i.a. colonialism, imperialism, genocide, Cold war, post-communism — will be faced by practical examples: e.g. myths & nation building, various revolts and revolutions, and Erinnerungskultur.
The gap between theory and practice will be overcome by a multi-perspective methodology. So, approaches from different disciplines are brought together to give a deeper knowledge of a broader historical context. By doing so, after this course participants will be able to better reflect and understand
contemporary developments.

All core courses listed under Basic Module 1 may be chosen as an elective course as well (granted that three BM1 courses have been selected as BM1 core courses).

The offers of the Department for German as a Foreign Language may be counted towards the Elective Module, if the requirements for the Basic Module 2 have been fulfilled already. 

Semester German course (9CP)

Lecturer: Prof. Paul Silva

Course Nr: 14213.0212

Time/Date: Tue.12:00-13:30

Location: Face-to-Face

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Points: 3

In the first part of this course our main interest will be in philosophical questions about the nature of time, the identity of persons across time, and the conditions for free will. In the second part of this course our main interest will be in questions about the nature of human knowledge: what is knowledge, what are our sources of knowledge, and how–if at all–we can show that we have knowledge and deal with the problem of skepticism. Throughout the course there will be various introductory lectures on inductive and deductive logic.

Lecturer: Prof. Paul Silva

Course Nr: 14213.0252

Time/Date: Thu.12:00-13:30

Location: Face-to-Face

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Points: 3

We will examine a range of topics/ problems/ issues in contemporary epistemology. These will include the puzzling nature of human knowledge, the lottery paradox, the preface paradox, the problem of epistemic circularity, the nature of belief and its relation to credences, faith, and pragmatic encroachment. We will spend time investigating the nature of philosophical knowledge and the nature of intuitions and their epistemic value. We will conclude by looking at issues regarding ignorance and its implications for human rationality.

Lecturer: Mrinalini Shinde

Course Nr: 13980.2082

Time/Date: Thu.12:00-13:30

Location: online

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Points: 6

This course is about International Environmental Law. The historical development of international environmental law is systematically traced and illustrated with practical examples. The course is taught from a US perspective and uses US jurisdiction as a benchmark.

Lecturer: Maria das Dores Girão da Cruz

Course Nr: 14501.2247

Time/Date: Tue.14:00-15:30

Location: hybrid (online/face-to-face)

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Points: 3

Gender is a socially inclusive concept and refers to social constructs. It is variable, flexible, unbounded and it comprises assigned beliefs, attitudes, symbols, behavior and actions that define women and men, third genders and non-normative sexualities. Debates and studies of African gender and sexualities have been framed by western analytical tools and theoretical frameworks, particularly western feminism and queer theories. This course examines gender and sexuality in Sub-Saharan Africa, using a critique of western conventional categories and approaches to highlight African feminism and theories from the south. Illustrations of how masculinity and femininity are variably performed across sub-Saharan African cultures will be drawn primarily from anthropology and historical anthropology, through the analysis of ethnographies, movies, novels and other types of material. Theoretically, the course asks how African contexts challenge western conventions of gender and sexualities. Specifically, case studies will explore the impact of the colonial legacy, of women-centered development policies, homosexuality and trans-sexual practices, constructions of masculinities and femininities, among other themes.

Lecturer: Prof. Wilfried Hinsch

Course Nr: 14213.0001

Time/Date: Wed.12:00-13:30

Location: face-to-face

Course Type: lecture

Credit Points: 3

Lecturer: Prof. Stefan Neubert

Course Nr: 14387.0017

Time/Date: Tue.16:00-17:30

Location: face-to-face

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Points: 3

The seminar will address internationally influential, important, and innovative debates concerning Democracy and Education.