PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS & FORMER SOVIET AREA: Legacies and Decolonialization in Contemporary Culture and Politics
Summer School in Yerevan, Armenia: Call for Applications
We invite applications for an interdisciplinary Summer School aimed at BA and MA students from relevant disciplines such as East European studies, area studies, social and political sciences, history, arts and humanities.
The Summer School will gather students from Swiss and Armenian universities. It will offer a large set of activities allowing the participants to acquire knowledge on the political, social, cultural and economic life of Armenia, the broader region of South Caucasus, Russia and the former Soviet area, as well as the neighboring countries of Turkey and Iran.
The school will include lectures by academics and political experts, discussions, and out-ofcampus visits to touristic sites and civil society organizations. The summer school invites interested participants to discuss a wide range of topics such as:
- current geopolitics
- long-term historical transformations and memories
- social developments, conflicts, civil society
- changing cultural and religious traditions.
Participants and teachers will debate how, on the one hand, the past shapes political narratives, memories, conflicts, and international relations, and on the other hand, extensive efforts are being made in favor of autonomy and decolonization in scientific research and politics.
Dates of the Summer School: June 28 – July 9, 2026
Working language: English
Application Requirements: Please submit the following documents in one PDF:
- CV (maximum one page)
- A motivation letter (maximum one page) outlining your academic background, your current studies, and how participation would be beneficial for you.
- Deadline for application: 30th January 2026
ECTS: Upon successful completion, a certificate for 3 ECTS credits will be issued.
Please send your application by email to Prof.tit. Dr. Ansgar Jödicke: ansgar.joedicke@unifr.ch. Up to 5 students from the University of Zurich can participate in this summer school in Armenia; travel and accommodation are funded.
Costs: Participation costs, including travel and accommodation for Swiss students, will be fully covered, with the exception of a small personal contribution. Students will stay at the Yerevan university guesthouse. Some participants may be asked to stay in shared rooms.
