Seminar
DI Britta Trostorff, Prof. Dr. Max Welch Guerra
3 LP/ECTS/2 SWS
In the current debate on the perspectives of German spatial development and its policies, the long established principle of equivalent living conditions in all parts of the country is severely questioned. The need to adapt to and tackle the consequences of demographic development, climate change and energy dependence in combination with the economic perspectives and financial situation of public households constitute the setting for the search for alternatives. Following the European approach of Territorial Cohesion, attention is more and more spent to the level of regions. The vague idea of “endogenous development potentials” becomes prominent again
The role of the state is negotiated in direct reference to the role of the citizens. In this context, regional identity becomes an important factor. After a literature-based introduction and theoretical foundation of the subject, we will investigate regional identity and its potentials for spatial development in Thuringia. Therefore, students will conceptualise and conduct their own field-work in groups. The seminar is designed in the method of research-based learning: We will not only simulate a research process but we will carry out own research and thus contribute to a current discussion. Consequently, the seminar requires high motivation and interest of the students and the willingness to go beyond the already known. Students get the opportunity to work highly self-determined though within a clear frame. The seminar aims to prepare students for the Masters’ thesis.