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79745-01 - Lecture: European Global Studies: Focus 250 Years of the United States of America (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers |
Corey David Ross (corey.ross@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Ralph Weber (ralph.weber@unibas.ch) |
| Content | At a pivotal historical juncture, the United States confronts renewed scrutiny over the strength and future of its democratic institutions. This lecture series assembles a set of diverse voices to assess whether American democracy is under strain, adapting to new realities, or entering a period of transformation. Beyond the domestic arena, the series also addresses the far-reaching global consequences of these developments. How do internal political tensions shape U.S. foreign policy and international engagement—including with Switzerland? What do they mean for global stability, economic cooperation, and the future of democratic norms worldwide? By combining critical perspectives with a broad analytical lens, the series invites students and a broader public to reflect on the past, present, and future of the American experiment at 250. |
| Bibliography | Matt Grossmann, David A. Hopkin, Polarized by Degrees: How the Diploma Divide and the Culture War Transformed American Politics (2024). Ganesh Sitaraman, The Crisis of the Middle-Class Constitution: Why Economic Inequality Threatens our Republic (2017). Anne Applebaum, Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism (2020). Robert Kagan, The Jungle Grows Back: America and Our Imperiled World (2018). G. John Ikenberry, Liberal Leviathan: The Origins, Crisis, and Transformation of the American World Order (2011). |
| Comments | The course will contain content in both English and German. |
| Weblink | Europainstitut Basel |
| Admission requirements | keine |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 17.30-21.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula Foyer EG |
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 17.30-21.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula Garderobe |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 23.09.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 30.09.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 07.10.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 14.10.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 21.10.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 28.10.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 04.11.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 11.11.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 18.11.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 25.11.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 02.12.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 09.12.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Wednesday 16.12.2026 | 18.15-20.00 | Kollegienhaus, Aula 033 |
| Modules |
Electives Bachelor History: Recommendations (Bachelor's degree subject: History) Modul: Transfer: Europa interdisziplinär (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) Module: Europeanization and Globalization (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Wahlbereich Master Geschichte: Empfehlungen (Master's degree subject: History) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Lehrveranstaltungsbegleitend -- nähere Auskünfte im Laufe des Kurses |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Europainstitut |