Our New Call (2015!)

Call for Applications for Summer School “Power, Identity and Economy: Dimensions of Perception and Conflict in Central Asia”

SETTING

Date: August 2 – August 12, 2015
NEW DATES: August 11 – August 21, 2015
Location: Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Participating Institutions:

• Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD, sponsor)

• Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany)

• Department of Anthropology at the American University of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan)

Project Managers: Dr. Philipp Schröder, Dr. Alexander Wolters, Elina Schröder (MA)
Contact: daadsummerschool2015@gmail.com

DESCRIPTION

Reflections on recent conflicts in Central Asia, for example the Osh events in Kyrgyzstan in 2010 or the clashes in Zhanaozen in Kazakhstan in 2011, are often characterized by a stark contrast between the dominant official narratives and the diverse experiences of actual conflict participants. Their desires to tell of alternative stories, in which timelines and rationales may differ, for the most part have been neglected. From such disconnection between politically approved plots and the accounts of regular citizens emerges a situation, which complicates a sound reflection on the role of conflicts in society and thus prevents progressive initiatives to take root in Central Asia. In consequence, many questions remain unanswered about the causes, processes and conditions of current and historic conflicts in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

In our Summer School we want to inquire into the tense relation between official narration and untold experiences, as well as into the social relevance of this contradiction in contemporary Central Asian societies. We will structure our inquiry along three dimensions: Power & Politics; Economy & Well-being; Subjectivization & Identity. These three dimensions, we believe, will help us identify different discourse strategies and reflect on essential discrepancies when ‘speaking about conflict’.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• The Summer School is designed for students of the social sciences and humanities, especially for students of sociology, anthropology, international relations, economy and history. Students of other disciplines are welcome to apply in case they show a special interest in the topic and program of the Summer School.

• In order to apply, a student should currently be at least in the third year of his/her studies or be enrolled in a Master’s program. Please understand that students who have already completed a Master’s program or PhD candidates are not eligible to apply for the Summer School.

• Students enrolled at universities in the following countries can apply:

  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Tajikistan
  • Germany

• Students must be citizens of one of the states but can be enrolled in a university in one of the other countries (for example, Uzbek citizen studying in Kyrgyzstan).

• The seminars and trainings of the Summer School will be held in English and Russian, and working proficiency in both languages is required for participation.

• Candidates need to submit a CV and short motivation letter (max. 500 words, in English) using the Microsoft Word-template to be found at the Summer School’s website: http://wp.me/p3atAA-2B

The deadline for the submission of applications is April 5, 2015.

Selected candidates will be informed by May 4, 2015.
Final confirmation by selected candidates will be expected until May 17, 2015.

Participation in the Summer School is free of charge. Expenses for travel, accommodation, food and the extra-curricular program will be covered by the organizers. The sessions of the Summer School will be on every day from August 11 – August 21, 9am until 6pm, and full attendance is required. The participants of the Summer School will receive a certificate of attendance.

To download the Call please follow the Link: CfA-Download