Cultural Products and the Studies of International Relations - the Creative Competition

What do the famous artwork "Under the Wave off Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai, the video game "Europa Universalis" or the song "Elegy for the Arctic" by Ludovico Einaudi have to do with international politics? Students of the module "Introduction to the Study of International Relations" have dealt with these and other connections in the most creative way under the creative competition. This summer semester, Bachelor's and Master's students drew on cultural products of their choice to illustrate certain aspects of international relations. The team from the Chair of International Politics was able to sift through over 130 exciting entries. Whether it's a Netflix series or a film, a video game or a bord game, works of art or songs: it's surprising where aspects of international relations can be found in our everyday cultural products.

Lena Körper, for example, recalls several aspects of international relations at once when viewing the artwork "Under the Wave off Kanagawa": She perceives boats on the sea as individual states, while the mountain, a fixed point of reference, symbolizes international institutions. Interstate cooperation is embodied by the wind and the waves.

In contrast, Götz Geilhard applies learned knowledge in his favorite video game, Europa Universalis IV. The game allows the player to take the fate of a nation in the years 1445 to 1820 into his own hands. From diplomacy, politics and research to economy, trade and resource extraction to warfare - the outcome depends on one's own decisions.

Somewhat more peaceful, but at least as threatening, appears the music video of the Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi, who plays his composition "Elegy for the Arctic" against the impressive Arctic backdrop: a call to humanity to act urgently. Lara Ludwig introduces the action staged by Greenpeace and makes clear how important it is to protect the polar areas and to find an effective solution on international level.

Interaction and cooperation in a space setting are the focus of the board game "Cosmic Encounters". In an extremely creative text, Jonas Breitner illustrates that the interaction of the players on the way to ruling the universe can be explained with theories of international relations. Thus, the player of the most powerful alien species does not automatically win through rational and egoistic action, but one can also win as a team by forging alliances and winning together against stronger players.

In addition, the students also gave free rein to their creativity in the design. The entry by Laura Bermudez, who chose the film "ADÚ" by Salvador Calvo and Alejandra Hernández, particularly stood out. This film impressively illustrates the humanitarian consequences of the refugee movement as well as the European approach to the issue.

The team congratulates all the award winners!