Global Politics

Summer 2010: June 16 to July 5 (tentative dates)

Program Location

This course will be held in Berlin, capital of Germany. As a bridge between East and West, Berlin provides a living case study in history, including European integration, immigration and global politics. From Berlin, the cross roads of European transportation, students may easily visit Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Britain, Switzerland and Austria once the program is completed.

Guided tours, site visits and excursions may include:

• Reichstag Building (German Parliament)
• Visit to German Foreign Ministry, think tanks as well as human rights & community development NGOs
• East German secret police former headquarters and museum
• Berlin Wall memorials
• Sachsenhausen concentration camp memorial and museum.

Academic Program

Students will be introduced to specific aspects and themes of GPOSC 200 within the context of contemporary European/German history, society and current politics. The core objective of this short-term program is for the students to acquire an in-depth understanding of selected themes from the global experience: (a) genocide and authoritarian rule (b) migration, pluralism and racism (c) international security (d) democracy, peace and European integration (e) experience and appreciate global issues through the lens of contemporary Germany society and government.

Rather than attending lectures, students will be expected to become active participants in the culture of Germany’s most cosmopolitan city. By means of workshops, independent study and guided tours through the capital, students will be introduced to the many factors that define Germany, its role in Europe and in the World.

Upon successful completion of GPOSC 200 in Germany, students will have:

• Knowledge of the history, culture and politics of Germany
• Appreciation of Germany’s historical progression from fascism to democracy and European integration
• Knowledge of authoritarianism and genocide and their relationship to current global developments
• Understanding of the myriad aspects of immigration, pluralism and racism
• Understanding of global issues from a Eurocentric perspective.

Instructional methods include guided tours, field work and journal assignment and/or papers.

Tentative course offerings:

GPOSC 200: Global Politics (3)

Accommodations

Students will be housed in residence halls. Some group meals will be included.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

In addition to the Short-term Application, interested students should submit letter of recommendation and an essay explaining your expectations for the program and what skills you feel you can contribute to making the program successful. A short informal interview with the program director will be required.

For More Information

For additional information about the Global Politics program, please contact the program director:

Dr. Bernd Kaussler
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science
Tel.: 540-568-6985
E-mail: kausslbx@jmu.edu