International cooperation

An international focus is a goal of the DOK programme. A network of international partners is being developed and expanded.

The Excellence Cluster “Cultural Foundations of Integration” of the University of Constance is already one of the partners.

Joint courses are offered in both Ph.D. programmes, such as “Reality and Fiction in Modern Culture” (Professor Dieter Thomä), in the 2010 Fall Semester.

The Sociology seminar is Lead Agency of the international research project “Metamorphosis of the Working World in Biographical Testimonies” (financed by the SNSF, DFG, and FWF). Research groups from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are investigating the development of selected public services and comparing them in various countries. A number of DOK students are writing their doctoral theses as part of the project. Other DOK students who are working on related topicsa also participate in the discussions in the research project.

Led by Professor Y. Sánchez, the “Centro Latinoamericano-Suizo de la Universidad de San Gallen” fosters the creation of a variety of diverse and scholarly collaborations with South American institutes and universities. Ph.D. students with a focus on Latin America will benefit from this network. Latin American studies, including doctoral theses, are sponsored by the University of St.Gallen through a special fund.

There is also cooperation at the faculty level. For example, Michael Festl is taking part in “Genesis of Standards in Globalisation” (Director: Dr. M. Mercè Darnaculleta i Gardella) of the Excellence Cluster “Cultural Foundations of Integration” at the University of Constance.