Interventions. Intellectuals in the Federal Republic of Germany after 1945.

What exactly do we mean when we talk about intellectuals? How can we approach this social figure analytically? And what impact do intellectuals have in public debates? – We want to discuss these and other questions together using the tools of intellectual history. The first step will be to understand the term in more detail, trace back its historical roots and then apply it to specific interventions. We will focus on the impact of intellectuals in the Federal Republic of Germany after 1945. Using case studies of their own, students can present an intellectual and a historical or current social debate in which the impact (or powerlessness) of intellectuals becomes visible from their point of view in a 15-minute presentation followed by a discussion.

What do I need to know to participate?
None. Knowledge of the history of ideas is desirable.

How will we learn?
Keynote presentation by lecturer; moderated discussions along the seminar texts; preparation of case studies by the students and joint discussion afterwards

Seminar Goal
After this seminar, students will ideally
a) have become familiar with and applied some methods of intellectual history
b) have a better understanding of the (social) figure of the intellectual
c) have an overview of important historical debates in the Federal Republic of Germany after 1945
d) have applied the knowledge acquired in the seminar in their own presentations and assignments

Maximum number of participants
15