WHAT WE DO
The project
Mission & Vison
Geophilosophy of the Balkans aims to create an integrated MA and PhD programs for transdisciplinary and critical political science studies that brings into dialogue various traditions of critical theory and multiple disciplines from the humanities and social sciences (psychoanalysis, anthropology, contemporary philosophy, aesthetics, art theory, cultural and postcolonial studies, gender and sexuality studies, media studies, cognitive sciences, human geography, history, international law, etc.). Together with traditional political sciences and theories, the aim is to offer prospective students cross-disciplinary and critical understanding and tools for analysis and research on contemporary political phenomena, by setting the geopolitical location, relations and politics of the Balkans as its major focus of knowledge production and research.
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Instead of relying on abstract and transcendental concepts and theoretical apparatuses, with this program we would like to focus on the specific, now and here, of situated, material, context sensitive and the contingent genealogy, development, meaning and application of the concepts of traditional political theory. The latter involves re-thinking the universal and trans-historical use of political philosophy as being placed, abstractly nowhere and universally everywhere within the context of the Balkans, while simultaneously de-territorializing it in open generality and emerging composites of connections, multiplicity of occurrences and contingencies that cut through different disciplines, histories and contexts, and hence produce new thought on the political. The motivation behind the development of this program is multifold and includes four research clusters: Bodies Politics, Memory Studies, Critique of Illiberal Ideologies, and Politics of Borders, Migration and Communities.
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Video statements
The Partners talk about the project
Methodology and Program Syllabus
This Intellectual Output develops high-end learning approaches that will be applied in both MA and PhD programs of the Transdisciplinary Balkan Studies: Geophilosophy of the Balkans. Thus it has the potential to enhance quality, efficiency and innovation of education and training because it aligns, in a more specific way, the training methodologies and learning outcomes of the Higher Education Institutions involved in the project with the best academic European practices and developments in critical social and political theory. Specifically, the developed curriculum will promote transdisciplinary and critical political science studies lacking in the region of the Western Balkans (WB) bringing into dialogue and
co-operation various traditions of critical theory and multiple disciplines from the humanities and social sciences.
Open Educational Resources
Open Education Resources (IO2) is a free access area dedicated to the dissemination of interdisciplinary, academic and cross-sectorial (civic) approaches and methods of studying, researching and analyzing contemporary socio-political phenomena in the Balkans. It allows its users to gain a multi-voiced perspective on Transdisciplinary Balkan Studies. The resources are categorized according to the 4 Pillars and include different types of media available to be downloaded or accessed.
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It aims to interlink specific local contexts with international perspectives across different sectors and contents.
Disseminating the contents offered by the OER is of salient importance for our project also for developing necessary digital resources for e-learning, and distance learning, as set out in the European Framework for Digitally Competent Educational Organisations. It means that dissemination is core to the success of the project. We are aware that this is an initial mapping exercise in the area of Transdisciplinary Balkans studies and politics that we hope to continue to enrich even once the project is over. As such, beyond the completion of the project, it will serve as a tool for further dissemination of the project results.
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Model and guide for implementation
To secure the continuation of the project beyond the end of the funding period a comprehensive Model and guide for implementation (I04) has been produced. The document includes:
- Model and recommendations to all partner universities on how to implement Transdisciplinary Balkan Studies programs.
- Analysis and recommendations of the most suitable accreditation model for the Study programs.
- Analysis and recommendations for financial sustainability. In this way, the Study program’s administrative, organizational and financial functionality and viability will be underpinned securing efficient establishment, impact and transferability.
Therefore, the guide analysis draws sustainability standards based on best European definitions of good educational practice. In this way, the model will serve as a guide – that is, a collection of instructions related to the project, intended to provide ready reference.