Entry requirements

succesfull completion of the module Theories and methods in cultural and historical studies or successful completion of the module Development theories and concepts or successfull completion of the module Interdisciplinary theories and methods of gender studies (offered in winter semester)

Qualification aims

Students gain in-depth knowledge of historical and cultural developments as well as current debates and positions of cultural discourse and action in Brazil. They learn to discuss and analyze selected topics using appropriate theoretical concepts while taking into account Brazil’s specific history, if possible in Portuguese. They gain an in-depth understanding of cultural, discursive, and textual methods and can apply these in relation to historical processes, forms of cultural representation—especially literature in all its diversity—and other forms of cultural activity in Brazil. Finally, students learn to work independently against the backdrop of current research debates and their own epistemological interests, i.e., to address historical, cultural-historical, cultural, or literary studies questions regarding various gender and diversity concepts, taking into account specific power asymmetries shaped by racism. Students develop historical, cultural-historical, or literary-academic inquiries considering different concepts of gender and diversity. They also consider the specific power asymmetries and conflicts in the history and culture of Brazil, selecting adequate analytical perspectives. Lastly, they develop an independent argumentation, explaining the process and the results of their own work and presenting it to a group of fellow students.

Content

Students are given an exemplary overview of thematic aspects in historical and current perspectives, as well as of the characteristics of current research discussions and theoretical background. They also learn the various possible procedures for dealing independently with a complex topic in historical studies and/or cultural and literary studies regarding Brazil based on a selected topic from Brazilian history and/or cultural history and/or cultures and literatures. Students learn to independently interpret and analyze (literary) texts and other forms of expression of cultural action, as well as artifacts of different provenance from various eras based on a concrete inquiry and the implementation of their own project. They also consider an appropriate inclusion of gender- and diversity-relevant theory production. Lastly, they learn presentation techniques and how to write academic texts.

Essentials

Teaching and learning methods: Grundkurs (GK) + Hauptseminar (HS)

Module exam: Term paper (approx. 15 pages)

Offer: every summer semester