CfA: MODERN JEWISH HISTORY AND CULTURE IN GERMAN/SLAVIC CONTACT ZONES

Open call for applications to

International Summer School in Dresden, Prague, and Wrocław

MODERN JEWISH HISTORY AND CULTURE IN GERMAN/SLAVIC CONTACT ZONES

7–20 July, 2019

The history of Central and Eastern Europe is marked by multiple cultural contacts, transfers, and conflicts within and between linguistic milieus and traditions.  Due to multilingualism, considerable spatial and social mobility, and transnational networks, many Jews and Jewish communities played a special role in processes of contact and communication. Yet, the idea of a profound divide between East European and German Jewish culture still informs current academia and obscures the understanding of the dynamics in Jewish culture of East Central Europe and beyond. This dynamic finds its most paradigmatic expression in cultural and language contacts. Yiddish language and culture, for example, were influenced by Germanic and Slavonic languages and cultures on the one hand, but simultaneously influenced those languages and cultures on the other. These influences and interactions are the premise of our summer program.

Participants will examine these issues in depth during seminars and World Cafe method discussions led by outstanding scholars of Jewish history and culture. Our emphasis is on small groups and individual contact with experienced scholars working with primary source materials (all in English translation), and a Yiddish immersion language courses. Participants are encouraged to present their current or planned projects.

The summer program is targeted at masters and doctoral students, but is also open to emerging scholars in the humanities and social sciences. It is a joint undertaking by the BKM-Assistant Professorship in Social and Economic Networks of Germans in Modern Eastern Europe at TU Dresden and the Taube Department of Jewish Studies at Wrocław University. The entire program will be conducted in English.

Our program offers four modules daily, three compulsory and one optional. The first module from 9:00-10:30 am consists of Yiddish language classes in small groups. The second module from 11:00-12:30 is a lecture for all participants that is also open to other academic participants. After the lunch break, participants will attend a third module from 14:30-16:00  with a narrower focus. The fourth, optional, block in the early evening will offer specially selected guest lecturers, thematic tours, and film screenings. The program ends with diplomas presented during an official closing ceremony. In addition, each participant will receive 6 ETCS credit points.

What we offer:

• Lectures and seminars with renown specialists including Prof. Michael Brenner (LMU-Munich/American University), Prof. Tim Buchen (TU Dresden), Prof. Kateřina Čapková, (New York University), Prof. Moshe Rosman (Bar Ilan University), Dr Małgorzata Stolarska-Fronia, (Polish Academy of Sciences), Dr Karolina Szymaniak (University of Wrocław),  Prof. Marcin Wodzinski (University of Wrocław), and others.
• Day trip with an expert guide to Jewish Prague including the Jewish Museum and cemetery
• Guided tours and daily events
• Dormitory accommodations in Dresden and Wrocław included in the fee
• Transportation between Dresden and Wroclaw by coach
• ECTS credit points will be awarded to qualifying participants
• Program certificate

Costs:

• • 390 euro full price
  • 190 euro student discount price
  • 90 euro for participants granted financial aid from the program organizers

Insurance is not included.  Participants must provide their own policy.

In order to apply, please submit:

• Motivation letter, including first and last names, postal address, date of birth, short bio information
• An abstract of your MA or PhD thesis or current research project, if any
• Indicate whether you apply for the scholarship. If so, please provide an academic letter of recommendation
• Scan of current student ID and university affiliation, if any

Applications are to be submitted by 30 May to our program at

Decisions regarding acceptance and scholarships will be announced by 10 June 2019.