We offer international and interdisciplinary courses with a social science focus, in which exchange students can participate just like regular students. This allows you to expand your international experience, gain new perspectives and improve your English skills. This can be particularly useful if you later want to work in an international environment, prepare for a semester abroad or make new contacts. Even if you are not studying at Faculty 02, you are welcome to register for the listed offers. Registration for courses can be done via Jogustine.
Information for exchange students can be found here.
Events in the Sommer Semester 2025
Summer School 2025: War in Ukraine (3 ECTS)
In the Summer School ‘War in Ukraine: Conflict Research, International Law, and Pathways to Peace’, participants will take a look at the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The programme will focus on conflict research and international law with an increased focus on dealing with war crimes, the reactions of international actors as well as peace processes and the reconstruction of destroyed structures.
The course will be held in English and is aimed at all students at Johannes Gutenberg University as well as students from Ukraine and Cardiff and from our partner universities in Finland, France, Great Britain, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania and Spain. Read more
Seminar: The Israeli society: Past, Present, and Future (5 ECTS)
This course aims to explore the Israeli society, its origins, diversity, and inner conflicts. Israel, a country of Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, conservatives and liberals, migrants and locals, center and periphery, is a mosaic of cultures, peoples, and ideas, all debating what the country is and should become. In this course, we will examine the Israeli society through a variety of disciplines such as history, politics, sociology, and theology, to better understand the current realities of Israel today.
Please note that this course will be taught in English and is designed for regular students and internatonal exchange students from social science and neighbouring disciplines.
Seminar: Unrecognised States: a Security Challenge to the International System [5 ECTS]
The geopolitical reorganisation following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the establishment of fifteen new independent states in this area, seven of which were part of the Soviet sphere of influence (former Yugoslavia), were not without political turbulence.
Some of them, which have the most important formal characteristics of a state and the comprehensive support of patron states, have not yet received full international recognition. In this seminar you will examine the resulting threat to the European security system and the international community.
The course will be held in english and is designed for regular students and international exchange students from the social sciences and neighboring disciplines.
Mini-Conference: Sustainable Development Goals at risk - global population dynamics at the age of poly crisis (5 ECTS)
Events in the Winter Semester 2025/26
Seminar: International Career Planning (3 ECTS)
This course can be credited towards module 1 of the certificate of international competence
Beyond Clichés: International Soft-Skills Training (2 ECTS)
As part of the "Certificate of International Competence" program, SoWi?So! offers an international soft skills training every winter semester. Trained skills can be e.g. intercultural communication, presenting in English, resilience in international contexts or international self-marketing. It can be credited towards the second module of the certificate.
Details of the content of this years training will follow shortly. Read More
Seminar: Human development in times of crisis (5 ECTS)
This course can be credited towards module 3 of the certificate of international competence
With the global population surpassing 8 billion and expected to peak at over 10 billion by the 2080s, the world faces starkly different demographic realities—from youth-driven growth in sub-Saharan Africa to ageing, shrinking populations elsewhere. These shifts are reshaping the landscape of human development, showing the limits of traditional measures like the Human Development Index.
This seminar dives into the complex links between population dynamics and development, moving beyond simplistic doom-and-boom narratives to explore rights-based solutions and the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. Read More.
Seminar: Understanding Digital Societies (5 ECTS)
This seminar will explore the worldwide digital revolution and the ongoing creation of digital societies. Participants examine and reflect on key issues such as artificial intelligence, the quantified self, privacy, disruptive technologies, remote services, the digital divide, and surveillance. Leading theoretical approaches such as technological determinism and social constructivism will provide the analytical framework. The aim of this course is to work towards a better understanding of the digitization of society and current and near-future alterations of human experience. Read More.
Seminar: Psychology of Political Relations (5 ECTS)
This course can be credited towards module 3 of the certificate of international competence
The seminar aims at giving an overview of the various psychological aspects of political relations, political leadership, conflict and cooperation, psychological influence implementation and methods of countering it. Special attention will be given to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting international political tensions. Read More
Dr. Olesia Zvezdova (Department of Internationals Relations an Foreign policy, Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, Ukraine)
Lecture: Political Developments in Israel (5 ECTS)
This course can be credited towards module 3 of the certificate of international competence
This course aims to explore the current political developments in Israel. With five national elections in five years, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in Gaza, tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border and in the West Bank, inner-Israeli disputes expressed through weekly demonstrations, traditional and social media, and new political alliances, and influential court rulings and legislation, it seems Israelis are currently debating their most fundamental beliefs and ideas. Students of this course will explore the system, the players, the issues, and the ongoing events in Israeli politics as they unfold. Read More
Past seminars and lectures
Certificate for international competence
Preparing for an international career? Take part in the international competence study-programme! Get professional advice in strategic career planning, network with employees from international organisations and companies, train your international soft skills and English language proficiency. Document your international profile with the certificate. Read more
Further internationalisation offers at JGU
ISSK - Learning languages from home
The ISSK offers numerous language courses for beginners and advanced learners. Whether you want to brush up on your language skills for your next holiday or internship, or learn a completely new language, studying at the ISSK is a great opportunity to do so. In some degree programmes, language courses are also recognised as compulsory additional qualifications. Read more
Studying abroad
Studying abroadWould you like to experience living on other countries and get to know new cultures? Then your studies offer numerous opportunities for this. You can find out on the website of the International Affairs Department what kind of stay abroad (semester abroad, internship, research stay...) is possible for you and what funding opportunities there are within and outside of Europe. In addition, you can subscribe to the mailing list of the International Affairs Department so that you don't miss any opportunities. It is also recommended to make use of a free counselling appointment there. Read more
You can also find helpful information on all kinds of topics related to studying and internships abroad on the "studieren weltweit" webpage. Read more
FORTHEM is a network between different universities across Europe. Their aim is to bring students from different countries together and to promote exchange. They offer various programmes, including short-term stays of one week at the partner university. The aim is usually to exchange ideas on important issues for the future of Europe and to work on projects. Additionally, individual funding is also possible (for example scholarships for research projects abroad). Read more
International study programmes at JGU
At JGU, and in particular at Faculty 02 - Social Sciences, Media and Sport, there are a large number of international degree programmes. Here you have the opportunity to spend part of your studies abroad and - depending on the degree programme - even obtain degrees from several universities. Read more
ICON - International Student Conference
Join our team!
Join our team!We at SoWi?So! are regularly looking for tutors and research assistants to join us. As a member of our staff, you will also have contact with students from different cultures and can directly have an impact on making studies at JGU more international. Read more