Seminar Description:
The future of the welfare state is one of the most pressing social issues of the twenty-first century. This seminar aims to come to a better understanding of the complicated political and cultural dynamics of the creation, expansion, dismantling and survival of social programs in the United States. We will study the influence of the political process, the courts, local self-government, and the nonprofit sector on the development of the American welfare state. We will also analyze the role of race, gender, and class in social policy formation. In addition, we will examine the thesis that poverty and welfare needs are culturally constructed and study the process of naming and framing social problems.
The seminar is geared toward undergraduate students of history, the social sciences, and American studies. The course will be conducted in English and covers the material of an entire semester (15 sessions) within the span of one week. Students are expected to prepare for the seminar in advance and will receive a reading assignment of approximately 500-700 pages one month prior to the seminar. In order to earn university credit (Schein) from Martin Luther University, participants are required to submit a research paper no later than four months after the end of the seminar.
During the seminar students are housed at the Leucorea Foundation. The seminar fee for admitted students is DM 100 and includes the seminar reader, instruction, accommodations, and meals. Transportation costs to and from Wittenberg are to be paid by the students.
If you are interested in participating in the seminar, please send a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and a letter of recommendation to:
Dr. Axel R. Schaefer
Center for U.S. Studies
LEUCOREA Foundation/ Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Collegienstraße 62
D-06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Germany
Tel.: (0049) 3491-466137
Fax (0049) 3491-466223
E-mail: schaefer@zusas.uni-halle.de
The cover letter should include the following:
Seminar title, dates, and instructor´s name.
Your name, address, year of study, and university affiliation.
Your interest in and commitment to the seminar and the topic.
Your fields of study, academic advisor, related university-level courses you have taken, your proficiency in English, and other relevant experience and competencies.
Application deadline: August 15, 1999
For further questions and registration information, please contact us by e-mail at <schaefer@zusas.uni-halle.de>, by phone (03491-466137), or by fax (03491-466223), or visit our homepage at http://www.zusas.uni-halle.de.
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