Course and lecture series, fall semester 2026

How does current research grounded in Africa decenter the perspectives from which we understand knowledge production in urban studies, history, anthropology, and related fields? 

Organized by Julia Tischler (African History), Kenny Cupers (Urban Studies), and Marie Muschalek (African History), this course explores how current research grounded in Africa decenters the perspectives from which we understand knowledge production in urban studies, history, anthropology, and related fields. The course format facilitates in-depth engagement with an invited scholar’s research-in-progress, and through it, a discussion of theoretical and methodological approaches amongst the participants. The course is structured around three full-day workshops with invited scholars, in which we will discuss their work in progress. This semester our guests are Stephanie Zehnle, Michelle Moyd, Aymar Bisoka, and Łukasz Stanek. Each of them will also present a public lecture:

23.10.2026: Stephanie Zehnle (University of Passau)
Strata of Dissonance: Mining, Metallurgy and Metalware in West African History

06.11.2026: Michelle Moyd (Michigan State University)
Three things to know about Africa and the Great War (since the Centenary)

13.11.2026: Aymar Bisoka (Université de Mons)
Title tba

27.11.2026: Łukasz Stanek (University of Michigan)
Title tba

Times and venue:
Classes take place from 12.15am-4.00pm (Alte Universität, Seminarraum -201), public lectures from 4.15pm-6.00pm (Alte Universität, Hörsaal -101)

The public lectures are followed by an apéro.

Fur further details see the course prospectus