Blockseminar “The Future of Public Diplomacy”
(In cooperation with the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States and the Department of British and American Studies of Humboldt University Berlin)
July 10–12, 2009, Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Is there a Renaissance of Public Diplomacy? During the Bush administration, the United States’ image in the world suffered significantly. The new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, stands for a liberal internationalism by advocating “smart power” in an effort to spread democracy, human rights, and freedom.
This Blockseminar will critically reflect upon what Public Diplomacy can achieve, where its limits are and its strengths. It will explore how the United States have been using cultural diplomacy as an effective tool of foreign policy. A brief historical survey will discuss the U.S. cultural influence in Europe from World War II throughout the Cold War up until today to provide a basis for discussion. This course will go beyond the theoretical study of policy papers. It will acquaint students with a practical approach to cultural diplomacy. Practitioners will be invited as guest-speakers and ample room for discussions in an intensive seminar atmosphere are offered.
Organizers
The seminar is jointly organized by Professor Dr. Hans-Jürgen Grabbe, Zentrum für USA-Studien (ZUSAS) der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, and Dr. Martina Kohl, U.S. Embassy, Berlin
Faculty
Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Grabbe, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Dr. Helena Kane Finn, Minister Counsellor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Berlin
Dr. Martina Kohl, U.S. Embassy Berlin
Prof. Dr. Vaughn Rasberry, Fulbright Professor, Humboldt University Berlin
Special Guests:
Geraldine Brooks, novelist and journalist, and Tony Horwitz, writer and journalist
Student Activities
Students are expected to come prepared and stay throughout the whole program. Close exchange with faculty and organizers is an essential part of the program. Students will be working on individual projects in groups or alone. They will concentrate on a specific aspect of the conference, compile a bibliography and produce an excerpt for a scholarly paper. Each group will discuss individual projects among themselves and with their group advisors. A final plenary presentation will sum up the groups' work.
Registration
Registration for HU students:
Please register with Renate Ulbrich by March 16, 2009. Seating is limited and restricted to BA students only.
Registration for Halle-Wittenberg students:
Please register through StudIP. For reasons of capacity, only ten Halle students may be admitted. Please write a letter of motivation and tell us why your are interested in the course and how you would profit from it.
Costs
The cultural office of the U.S. Embassy Berlin funds the program, room and board for participants and faculty. Participants will have to cover their travel costs.
Internet & Wireless LAN
A fully equipped computer lab provides access to the Internet. Additionally, participants can connect to the Internet with their own laptop computers using the Leucorea's Wireless LAN. Therefore, and for their own convenience, participants are encouraged to bring their laptop computers to Wittenberg.
Conference Venue
Stiftung Leucorea
Collegienstraße 62
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Driving directions
Contact
Zentrum für USA-Studien (ZUSAS)
Martin-Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg
06099 Halle (Saale)
Phone +49. 345. 552 35 47
Fax: +49. 345. 552 72 72
E-mail info@zusas.de
Program
Introductory Session on Public Diplomacy and Reading Assignments
Berlin: Dr. Martina Kohl
Halle: Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Grabbe
Time: 3 June 2009, 16:15–17:45
Place: tba |
Friday, July 10, 2009 |
15:00 |
Arrival and Registration
You will receive your room key and conference materials |
16:00 |
Welcome and Introduction Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Grabbe, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Dr. Martina Kohl, U.S. Embassy
|
16:15 |
“Soft Power—Smart Power: The Future of Public Diplomacy” Dr. Helena Kane Finn, Minister Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Berlin
|
17:15 |
Coffee Break |
17:45 |
“The History of German-American Relations: From Enemies to Partners” Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Grabbe |
18:15 |
Dinner |
19:30 |
Tour of the Library Anton Hieke, M.A., Librarian |
20:00 |
“The Image of the U.S. and American Writing” Dr. Helena Kane Finn in conversation with Geraldine Brooks, novelist and journalist, and Tony Horwitz, writer and journalist |
21:00 |
Social Gathering in the ZUSAS Library |
|
Saturday, July 11, 2009 |
08:00 |
Breakfast |
09:00 |
“Public Diplomacy from the Perspective of the German Foreign Office”
Petra Stöckl, Auswärtiges Amt |
10:00 |
Coffee Break |
11:00 |
“Cold War Public Diplomacy and the Question of Race” Prof. Dr. Vaughn Rasberry, Humboldt University Berlin |
12:00 |
Public Diplomacy: Student Projects—A Discussion Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Grabbe/Dr. Martina Kohl
|
12:30 |
Lunch |
13:30 |
Guided Tour of Wittenberg |
15:00 |
Student Group Work and Research |
16:30 |
Coffee Break |
17:00 |
Research Time |
18:30 |
Barbecue in the Leucoreahof |
21:00 |
Film Showing |
|
Sunday, July 12, 2009 |
08:00 |
Breakfast |
09:00 |
Meeting in the Auditorium: Final Questions |
09:30 |
Research and Writing Period |
10:00 |
Coffee Break |
10:15 |
Research and Writing Period |
12:00 |
Lunch |
13:00 |
Student Presentations/Discussion |
14:30 |
Coffee Break |
14:45 |
Student Presentations/Discussion cont. |
16:00 |
End of Program |
|
Departure |
|