University of Heidelberg

Summer Term 2008

'Visuelle Populärkultur in Indien und China' by Christiane Brosius and Barbara Mittler (Institute of Chinese Studies, University of Heidelberg)   

Fall/ Winter Term 2008/09

'Pornography in China' by Paola Zamperini (13th - 18th of March 2009, Institute of Chinese Studies, University of Heidelberg)

Spring/ Summer Term 2009

'Visualizing Body and Gender in a Global Context' by Melanie Trede, Christiane Brosius & Barbara Mittler (Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe in a Global Context', University of Heidelberg)

'Asian Studies Colloquium: Asia Pop!' by Paola Zamperini (Amherst College)  

'Dynastische Erbfolge und nationale Identität - Großbritannien und Indien im Vergleich' by Thomas Maissen & Gita Dharampal-Frick (Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe in a Global Context', University of Heidelberg)  

'Satire: Theory and Practice' by Barbara Mittler and Zhu Junzhou (Institute of Chinese Studies) 

'Cultural History of Chinese Cinema to 1951' by Anne Kerlan, Lyon (Institute for Chinese Studies)

Fall/ Winter Term 2009/10

'Fusion Films: Transcultural Flows between Indian and Western Cinema' by Christiane Brosius und Martin Kunz (Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe in a Global Context', University of Heidelberg)

Hardly any medium is as crucial for the understanding of transnational cultural flows as cinema. One aim of this seminar is therefore to analyze the different patterns and types of flows between and through American/European and Indian cinema. 

'Weltstädte - Stadtwelten: transkulturelle Perspektiven auf Urbanisierung' by Christiane Brosius und Nic Leonhardt (Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe in a Global Context', University of Heidelberg)

Das Seminar bringt grundlegende theoretische Ansätze der Stadtethnologie und Urban Studies näher und erweitert sie durch eine komparative Perspektive, die vor allem asiatische Städte mit in Betracht ziehen. Am Beispiel von Metropolen wie Shanghai, Neu Delhi, Bombay und Berlin werden Transformationen der Städte, ethnische und soziale Gruppen, street culture, Regulation der öffentlichen Räume sowie Events und Stadtmarketing behandelt.

'Gender as a Category of Global Art and History' by Monica Juneja and Melanie Trede (Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe in a Global Context', University of Heidelberg)

This graduate seminar focuses on two workshops organised within the framework of the Cluster of Excellence, Asia and Europe in a Global Context, “Rethinking the Religious Body (October 5-6, 2009 / IWH)” and “Gender and Body in the Contemporary Arts” (December 15-17, 2009 / DAI & IWH).

'Transcultural Studies: Terms, Theories, Applications' by Nic Leonhardt (Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe in a Global Context', University of Heidelberg)

In this course, we will read and intensely discuss crucial texts, terms and concepts of transcultural studies and the agenda of the Cluster. By working individually and in small groups on case studies, students will foster their autonomous critical approach to the texts, and acquaint themselves with various disciplinary discourses.

'Popular Culture Group' by Barbara Mittler (Institute of Chinese Studies, University of Heidelberg)

'Fashion Matters: Clothes, Bodies and Consumption in East Asia' by Paola Zamperini (Amherst College)

'Ruan Lingyu (1910-1935): Death of a Woman, Birth of a Movie Star' by Anne Kerlan, Lyon (Institute for Chinese Studies) 

Spring/ Summer Term 2010 

'Multi-centered modernisms - reconfiguring Asian art of the 20th and 21st centuries' by Christiane Brosius, Monica Juneja & Melanie Trede (Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe in a Global Context', University of Heidelberg)  

In spite of an expanding global art market and the increasing resonance of Asian art in the Western world, most non-European art practice remains caught in the paradox of having to participate in a universal notion of the modern, while attempting to “catch up” in an asymmetrical game of progress. Discussions of modern Asian art have been by and large mired in early historiographic constructions of modernity as a European preserve, while visual culture emanating from beyond the frontiers of Europe was dismissed as “derivative” of particular Euro-American styles and movements. The lecture series –which develops and extends the themes of the course ‘Modernism as a global process’ (Juneja WS 2009-10) - hopes to bring forth fresh discussions on visual practices that have their roots in multiple locations in Europe and Asia and attempt to create visions of the modern through the engagement of local particularity with the universal – and in the process de-centre that universal.   

'Asia Pop! Contemporary Popular culture in China and Japan' by Paola Zamperini (Amherst College) 

How do globalization and post-modernity alter how we must think of cultural production? How do we grasp the seeming contradiction between the movement of people, images, and technologies without regard for national borders, on the one hand, and the increasing fragmentation of the world into enclaves of difference?  As a way to frame such issues, this course will examine popular culture in China and Japan. Paying due attention to the local meaning of popular culture and to its export to and reception in other countries, we will study such varied forms as kung fu films, anime, television, manga, toys, music, fashion, sports, and mass-produced art, in order to grapple with topics such as the transnational flow of cultural products, the cultural coding of commodities, gender construction, the otaku phenomenon, the commodification of political icons, the impact of technology on subjectivity and the body, and millennial visions of utopia and dystopia.  

Winter Term 2010/11

'International Seminar on Street Art' by Madras Craft Foundation

Under the title "Urban Visualities - Sites & Sights of Street Art", scholars from various countries focus on the history and production of popular art and its inspirations; the changing visual canvas of the city and its role in identity and textuality; politics and power and the impact on city-scapes; and the future of technology and the city. "What does the street culture of a city from popular art, posters, banners to graffiti and wall paintings tell us about a city and its culture? How do cities work with art? Whose art is it and for whom?" These are some of the questions that will be raised during the seminar.Among others, Patsy Spyer, Kavita Singh und Roos Gerritsen, Yousuf Saeed and Amit Mahadesia, who are all affiliated with research projects of the Cluster, will participate in this seminar. It has been organised by the Madras Craft Foundation in cooperation with the DakshinaChitra, a center for the living traditions of art, folk performing arts, craft and architecture of India with an emphasis on the traditions of South India. 

Summer Term 2011

"Paths to Happiness in China" by Paola Zamperini and Barbara Mittler(forthcoming, more information available soon)