Relevanz von Afrikawissenschaften in Berlin - What is the relevance/role of African studies in Berlin - Detailseite

This seminar provides a platform to examine the relevance and role of African Studies in Berlin through active participation in events, collaboration with Afro-Diasporic / Afro-Migrant organisations, and reflective discussions. It is an attempt to combine practical skills and theoretical-methodological expertise to research phenomena in the regional studies continuum between global and local.

The seminar has two main goals. First, students will co-organize and take part in a selection of activities and projects, which may include a city tour, a visit to the Humboldt Forum, an event marking 140th years since the Berlin Conference, and conceptualising decolonial toolkits. For this, they will be encouraged to interact with organizations such as the Landesnetzwerk afrikanischer Vereine (LAV) and Farafina e.V./Afrikahaus e.V. These activities offer experiences and perspectives that go beyond traditional academic settings and can help students build connections with non-academic organizations.

Second, in seminar sessions, students will engage in thematic, student-led discussions to reflect on these experiences, evaluating how their participation may have transformed, questioned, or reinforced their view on Afrikawissenschaften. The sessions will also consider the history and background of the discipline in Berlin. Together, we will explore how academia can enhance and maintain sustainable connections with the civil-society and cultural work happening outside the university.