For the study project, the student conducts empirical scientific research in a chosen cultural region (with a minimum duration of 8 days). The project must be supervised by a professor responsible for this region. The aim of the study project/excursion of at least 8 days is to introduce students to the selected cultural region through a series of specific research questions and, much like studying abroad, to improve their knowledge and understanding of the region.
The department doesn't offer excursions. For this reason, we recommend that you undertake research projects.
Students are encouraged to tailor their study projects to their areas of scholarly interest. However, the topic and research agenda must be approved by the supervisor prior before fieldwork or other forms of research can be undertaken abroad.
Research towards the study project differs from research carried out for term papers insofar as students are expected to perform field studies rather than rely exclusively on the study of written academic sources.
Depending on the chosen topic and the object of study, these field studies may include interviews conducted by the students themselves, the creation and evaluation of questionnaires, on-site research, participant observation, studies in the field of material culture and material practices, archival research, and so on.
The project report (circa 10 pages minus appendices) that students are required to submit locates the research topic and findings in the context of ongoing scholarly debates and should also demonstrate a firm grasp of relevant theoretical concepts.
Here are a couple of sample topics that students have worked on in the past:
The pre-submitted project outline should follow the following format:
