"Milestones in Democracy"-European Memories 2009, 10th Weimar Summer Courses June 28th – July 11th 2009, Germany

“Milestones of Democracy” – European Memories 2009
10th Weimar Summer Courses
June 28th – July 11th 2009

The 10th Weimar Summer Courses will refer to these milestones of European democracy in a cross-sectoral approach. The main aim is to use historical experiences and theoretical approaches for the future development of democracy in Europe. Three parallel courses will address the general topic, each of them emphasising a specific dimension.

We cordially invite you to study these topics together with young intellectuals from all over the world in Weimar, one of the Cultural Capitals of Europe.

Course A (Philosophy):
The Weimar Classics and the Weimar Republic: Coming to Terms with a double Heritage

In order to escape the chaos of Berlin, in 1919 the German parliament moved to Weimar. This decision also had a symbolic meaning. As Friedrich Ebert put in January 1919: “The whole world will appreciate us connecting the spirit of Weimar with the construction of a new Germany. The city of Goethe is a good symbol for the young German Republic.”

In the seminar, we will examine more closely how supporters of the Republic tried to preserve the heritage of the Weimar classics by turning it into a political commitment. We will discuss how basic principles of the Weimar Republic such as tolerance, social equality and justice, paved the way for democratic development in Germany, even though Nazism and the GDR did not allow these elements to come into fruition.

Course B (Art and Sustainability):
From Bauhaus to Social Sculpture. The Shaping of Humane Societies as an Aesthetic Challenge

The Bauhaus, founded in Weimar in 1919, brought together a Europe-wide avant-garde to reform the modern industrial age through art. While it had a significant effect in the field of construction and design, its larger holistic and reformatory beginnings were all but lost. Now, at the start of a new century, the idea of social sculpture (Joseph Beuys) offers a comprehensive aesthetic understanding and strategy for the shaping of sustainable societies. To what extent does social sculpture represent a new connection between the ethical and aesthetic dimensions? And what is its relationship to the central ideas of the Bauhaus?

An integral part of the course are practices that enable participants to access their individual creativity, to explore creative action in the context of their own situations. These practices are taught by interdisciplinary artist and Beuys pupil, Shelley Sacks.

Course C (Media and Society):
Civil Society and the Media in Central and Eastern Europe after 1989

The course aims to investigate the current situation of the media in Central and Eastern Europe, including Germany, and to analyse and discuss their actual or potential role in building structures of democracy, peace and tolerance. The seminar will be comprised of both theoretical and practical components. To begin with, general issues and questions will be dealt with in the form of reading, class discussions as well as lectures. Field trips will be undertaken to various sites in and around Weimar, and meetings with experts will be arranged.

Another important element of the seminar will be a practical hands-on workshop during which the participants will learn and apply basic techniques of radio journalism with particular regard to the possibilities of new digital media. Audio features on a number of related topics will be produced in Weimar and then published on-line at the end of the summer school.

Technical information
The total course fees are 750 Euro (for students 500 Euro) and include costs for accommodation in a double room, board and participation in the course programmes and excursions. The participant’s card allows free entry to Weimar’s museums, the art collection, libraries and archives.The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 15 per course.

The closing date for applications is 15th April 2009.