uni'alumni 2012_ENG

“It’s not esotericism but serious schol- arship,” says Prof. Dr. Dr. Bernhard Uhde. The theologian and religion scholar founded a degree program en- titled “Interculturality and Spirituality” in a collaborative effort between the Uni- versity of Freiburg and the Institute of West-Eastern Wisdom. The reason: “Many people are interested in spiritual questions, but they don’t have the nec- essary theoretical foundation to grapple with them.” This is exactly what students of the program will receive starting in summer semester 2012. However, the two-year program doesn’t just teach skills in religion but also in social stud- ies and politics. Tuition for the entire program is 4,000 euros, and graduates receive a diploma of advanced studies. Drawing from Traditions In order to open the “hearts and minds” of the students, the program combines theoretical online modules with practical exercise courses taught on campus once or twice a semester. The on-campus phases are designed to allow the students to experience the ­impact of contemplation “on their own beings.” The program draws from the traditions of the five major world reli- gions. Students study what the term spirituality entails in Christianity, Juda- ism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism: Where do they differ, where are they similar? And how is it possible to under- stand each other on the basis of differ- ent forms of spirituality? Interculturality thus plays a critical role in the program. The curriculum also includes courses in fields like psychology, neurology, and physics in order to provide students with a broad scientific foundation. According to Uhde, the most important goal of the new continuing education program is to help students become more sensitive in their dealings with oth- ers. However, he stresses that the degree program is not for everybody: “One does have to have a certain feel for it.” Maximilian Vogelmann Prof. Dr. Ralf Poscher from the Insti- tute of Political Science and Philosophy of Law first came up with the idea of starting a video podcast series during a research stay at Princeton: “In the USA there is a very vibrant lecturing culture. I found it fascinating.” The lecture series “Freiburg Lectures on Political Science and Philosophy of Law,” which he initiated in 2010, is ­designed as an interdisciplinary forum for discourse between Anglo-American and continental European legal studies. “The purpose of the podcasts is to docu- ment the international exchange,” says Ralf Poscher. Eight renowned research- ers from the USA and Europe have al- ready contributed a lecture to the series. When the author and jurist Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schlink spoke on the topic “Denunciatory Culture” in the Audimax, the lecture hall was full to bursting. “There were even people asking us whether they could buy a ticket from us, but our event is free of charge,” says Poscher with a grin. Those who missed Schlink or the other speakers live need not worry: The podcast is ready to be viewed at any time. Maximilian Vogelmann Ralf Poscher was responsible for initiating the lecture series. Opening Hearts and Minds A Forum for Discourse MY PODCAST: RALF POSCHER Bernhard Uhde wants to help students ­become more sensitive in their dealings with others. » www.weiterbildung.uni-freiburg.de/wisswb/diploma » www.podcasts.uni-freiburg.de » www.uni-freiburg.de/go/­ freiburger-vortraege CONTINUING EDUCATION: “INTERCULTURALITY AND SPIRITUALITY” Almost like Buddha: The students are ­expected to experience the impact of ­contemplation on their own beings. Photo: Heidl/Fotolia 26 University News uni'alumni 2012