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Germany and the Atlantic World (GAW)

The Atlantic world was characterized above all by the interaction of various cultures from three different continents. These cultures were both dynamic and unstable. Therefore, this course will explore the chaotic, unstable, and often confusing set of circumstances that eventually resulted in the exploration and settlement of the Americas. This course will briefly introduce students to the connections of various peoples in the Atlantic World from approximately 1450 to 1900 with an emphasis on the migration of peoples, commodities, disease, war, enslavement, revolution, environment, class, gender, and religion. Individual student course projects and group work will focus on case studies and a close read of primary sources related to the German diaspora and migration in the Americas from first contact until the turn of the twentieth century.

The program combines academic classes, German language classes (levels A1.1 or A1.2), and an extensive cultural program.

We offer
•    three weeks of classroom instruction,
•    interactive teaching and group activities,
•    opportunity for further self-studies and library access,
•    a rich cultural and recreational program (including a 3-day trip to Berlin),
•    certification of up to 5 ECTS credits in academic courses and 1 ECTS credit in language courses upon successful participation in relevant courses.

Course Details

  • Name: Germany and the Atlantic World
  • Date: July 6 to July 30, 2025
  • Credits awarded: 6 ECTS
  • Primary language of instruction: English, German
  • Necessary language level: B2 (English)
  • Course fee: EUR 1,800; EUR 1,550 for participants from partner universities
  • Application Deadline: April 11, 2025

Instructor

The academic portion of the course is led by Kristalyn Marie Shefveland, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Southern Indiana.

Syllabus

Your home university may require a syllabus in order to grant credits for successful participation. You will be able to download it in the months leading up to the summer school program.

Application 

Applications can be made via our application portal here.

Contact

Any questions? Feel free to contact the organizers at stp@uos.de.