Informações sobre a disciplina

The seminar offers an introduction to the research program of the GSGAS through a comprehensive exploration of Eastern Europe as a globally connected region in past and present. We present empirical knowledge, conceptual tools, and research debates regarding Eastern Europe that are also instructive for the study of other regions and areas. We combine perspectives from area studies and global history by focusing on interdisciplinary work and by following a long-durée approach which contextualizes the “global condition” in longer processes of connectedness. A central aim of the seminar is to outline an understanding of the “global” as an analytical category that enables to investigate the many scales of Eastern Europe’s entangled histories (e.g., local, national, imperial, regional, intercultural or international). This is to be achieved through the study of nine broad topical fields for which we selected readings that deal with different historical periods and make use of different methodologies. The seminar is taught by a team of scholars who share their expertise on the respective fields. We thus offer an introduction to ongoing research on Eastern Europe as a global region which is to inspire the study of other parts of the world and for inquiries in global history/studies as well.

 Requirements:

- Participants are asked to attend regularly and to participate actively in the seminar based on the reading of selected texts which are provided in moodle.

- In addition, we ask each student to prepare a three-minute statement on how the literature for each session is related to their own thesis project – what is of use, which questions emerged etc.?

- Finally, students will prepare a short essay of 2.500 words (plus bibliography) referring to a key concept, research field, or a topic from our seminar. It should be useful to you and allow us to assess whether you have picked up on the inputs from the seminar. The paper is due 31 July 2026.