16th Transatlantic Students Symposium

Challenges to Transatlanticism in the 21st Century: Re-Envisioning the Transatlantic Relationship

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Oregon State University,
University of Warsaw, University of Wrocław,
New York, March 24-31, 2018

Program Description

After World War II, transatlantic relations were seen as a necessity in the West in order to rebuild Europe, to locate Germany securely within a democratic framework, and to meet the challenges of the Cold War. The Transatlantic Relationship was never free of conflicts, but in case of doubt, it was regarded as instrumental in promoting Western cooperation and security.

Now, 70 years after the Marshall Plan was implemented, the Transatlantic Relationship seems to be more in question than ever. It would be easy to attribute that situation to the agitations of few political leaders and demagogues, or to the short-term strategic interests of a few countries. A solid transatlantic framework should be able to successfully meet such disturbances.

Yet what appears to be visible now is probably a cultural shift, a notion that Transatlanticism itself is not only not anymore important, but also not desirable. Indeed, such questioning seems to extend to the ideas of globalization, free trade and internationalism. There has always been this criticism on the political left, but now the same critique can be heard, albeit in different tones, on the political right as well.

Faced with such an unusual bipartisan anti-global and anti-international coalition, we will need to investigate possible root causes of such changes in the political spectrum in an age of uncertainty in which every reliable societal marker seems to be under question.

The upcoming 16th Transatlantic Students Symposium will explore the cultural, social, economic and political dimensions of such a shift, and discuss possible remedies to restore and possibly re-envision the Transatlantic Relationship.

Organizers

Dr. Philipp Kneis, Dr. Allison Davis-White Eyes,
Dr. Brent Steel (OSU),
PD Dr. Reinhard Isensee (Humboldt),
Dr. Tomasz Basiuk (Warsaw)

Student & Assistant Organizers

Sara Fehlhaber, Elena Sanchez, Ayla Wopker (Humboldt), Yousef Allouzi, Jessica Andrepont, Celia Balderas, Jonathan Sandoval (OSU)

Student Participants (not organizers)

approx. 20 students

Total participants approx.: 35

Program Information

Complete Call for Papers

Abbreviated Call for Papers for OSU

Syllabus for Preparatory Class at OSU

Partners and Supporters

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: International Office,
Humboldt-Universität, Philosophical Faculty II,
American Studies Program,
Humboldt-Universität, Students Union English and American Studies

Oregon State University:
Public Policy Graduate Program,
Graduate School

University of Warsaw, American Studies Center

Max Kade Foundation

Holiday Land Richter Reisen, Berlin

see also: Latest Program Report

back to: Symposia

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