Football is not only the most popular sport in many regions of the world  but also a social, political and cultural mass phenomenon. In light of  the European Football Championship 2012 (in Poland and the Ukraine), the  long-standing Viadrina Summer University dedicates an intensive program  to the cultural and social scientific exploration of this phenomenon.  To what extent does football mirror social and cultural developments of  modern societies? Which interdependencies exist between football and  politics? Which identities – competing or converging ones – are  represented by football? And which roles do language, media, rituals  play in all this? These questions shall be pursued in a German-Polish  project at Viadrina University and its Polish partner institution, Adam  Mickiewicz University in Poznań. The main coursework of Viadrina Summer  University will be carried by Viadrina faculty representing sociological  and political science as well as historical, economic and linguistic  approaches. In addition, lectures and seminars will be offered by  academics of other German and European as well as American universities.
Core Course I: „Football and the Politics of Identity“ / Prof. Dr. Michael Minkenberg
Core Course II: „The Political Economy of Football“ / Prof. Dr. Timm Beichelt
Core Course I: „Football and the Politics of Identity“ / Prof. Dr. Michael Minkenberg
Core Course II: „The Political Economy of Football“ / Prof. Dr. Timm Beichelt
Who can participate?
Viadrina Summer University welcomes advanced students and young  researchers from the social sciences, modern European history,  linguistics and communication studies, as well as economics.  Applications from candidates who already hold a first degree and/or have  specialized in issues related to the program will receive preferential  treatment. Full-time attendance of the Summer University is obligatory  for all participants. Students are expected to contribute actively to  the Summer University by making short presentations and submitting  research essays. Proficiency in English is required as all parts of the  program will be taught in English.
Teaching and Syllabus
The Summer University combines lectures, seminar discussions, excursions  and student presentations. For our international participants there is a  German language course offered every day for one hour and all levels.  Details on the course program, reading requirements and syllabus are  available in advance on the Summer University’s website.
Certificate
The Viadrina Summer University Certificate requires active participation  in one core course, two seminars, one workshop, three lectures and one  excursion. Participants who wish to transfer their credit points to  their home universities are expected to deliver a research paper and to  make an in-class oral presentation. Students are entitled to earn up to  18 ECTS points. This requires participation of 45 lecture-/seminar-hours  and a research paper.
Course fees and fellowships
The registration fee of 250 Euros includes tuition, course materials and other costs related to the course program. The Summer University offers 25  fellowships provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and  the German Foreign Office for foreign participants. Fellowships cover  tuition, accommodation, travelling costs and a lump sum of 200 Euro  towards meals and living costs. Travelling costs will be reimbursed according to the regulations of the DAAD.
The Summer University is open to a limited number of regular Viadrina  students (see university calendar summer term, faculty for social and  cultural sciences M.A.-part). The fee is also 250 Euro for EUV-students.
Accommodation
Participants are invited to stay in modern student apartments with  single rooms and modern facilities in Słubice, Poland. The price of a  single room per person for 19 nights will be around 120 Euro. Grocery  stores, supermarkets and restaurants are all to be found within walking  distance.
Application
Deadline for applications of international participants and DAAD-scholarships is 31st January 2012. Decisions of acceptance will be announced by 28th February 2012 by e-mail.
Deadline for applications of EUV-MA-students: 15th March 2012 (MA-KVV). Decisions of acceptance will be announced by 30th March 2012 by e-mail.
Please send us:
1. Application form  ( word 97-2003,  pdf )
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Letter of Motivation (one page)
4. 1 Letter of Recommendation (university professor and/or supervisor)
5. Proof of English language proficiency (Level C1 of The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Applications by ordinary mail only. All applications have to be done in English.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Kathrin Goeritz: vsu@europa-uni.de
Website: http://www.kuwi.europa-uni.de/de/studium/summeruniversity/index.html