CIVICA ESR
COURSE CATALOGUE

Seminar offered by Dondena Research Center (Fall 2025 seminar series) ----- September 15th 2025 12:45-2:00pm (UTC+1) ------ CIVICA ESR can attend ONLINE only. Zoom meetings link will be available upon registration. ------ SEMINAR DESCRIPTION: Between the 1630s and the 1860s, no wars were fought on Japanese soil and bubonic plague never made landfall. The most severe mortality crises were famines. These were part of larger global events but intensely local in their specifics. At least eight of the nine major famines can be tied to volcanic eruptions that altered the climate of the northern hemisphere. But within Japan, mortality varied dramatically in space. That variation was fractal, with similar patterns of stark mortality differences between macroregions, feudal domains, and all the way down to pairs of neighboring villages. Japan’s ecological diversity cannot by itself explain this phenomenon. In many areas, the strength of local solidarity shut down food export during subsistence crises. The result was that the poor in lucky villages ate while the rich in unlucky villages starved. This phenomenon, presumably not unique to early modern Japan, may invite a broader conversation about how we integrate claims on community resources and exposure to deadly risks into comparative measures of inequality. ----- BIO: Fabian Drixler is Chair of the Council on East Asian Studies and Professor of History at Yale University. He specializes in the history of Japan, especially the early modern period, and in historical demography, with a focus on fertility and family planning.
Teachers:

• Fabian Drixler ()

The course will be held on Tuesdays between 10:50-12:30 CET beginning on September 16th. Pedagogy and democracy have a long and storied history of interaction. From Socrates' dialogues about citizenship to the role of citizen intellectuals as dissidents in the Eastern Bloc, philosophers, educators, and policymakers have, for centuries, treated teaching as a means through which to impart values related to civic engagement, democratic practices, and broad notions of citizenship. But what would it mean to not just teach democracy, but create democratic classrooms? What would it mean to include all students, rather than only some? This semester-long, seminar-style course introduces participants to the theories and practices of inclusive teaching and of democratic classrooms. Often discussed separately, these two topics often feature similar concerns, classic texts, and teaching methods. This course puts democratic and inclusive teaching in dialogue with each, in addition to exploring the debates and methods within these sub-fields. The course enables participants to explore and apply concepts of inclusion, freedom, equality, self-realization, co-participation, and more, in relation to pedagogical theories, their own teaching philosophies, and their own teaching practices. It considers democracy and its constitutive practices as (potentially) active forces shaping learning environments. Because it is centered on classrooms, rather than on broader higher education institutions, it acknowledges but does not focus on policies beyond the competence of lecturers, such as universities' relationship to the state, funding, or student access. Rather, it provides participants knowledge and tools to create democratic classrooms, including in relation to themes of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Teachers:

• Tamara Kamatovic (Central European University)

The main objective of this training is to understand the basics of the Zotero bibliographic reference management tool and to be introduced to its main features. At the end of this training, participants will be able to start managing their own reference library in Zotero, use the advanced PDF features, and create a bibliography. Goals, features, and benefits of Zotero Collect bibliographic references Build a database, manage and annotate references Annotate PDFs, create notes, use citations Understand citation styles Citing while writing, using the word processor plug-in Creating and editing a bibliography Backing up and synchronising citations and data Working in a collaborative mode. This course assumes that you have already installed Zotero on your computer and are familiar with the interface. It is also recommended that you have tried importing at least one reference. Here are some tips for completing these simple tasks: - The installation is done in 2 steps. First install the software, then the connector. - The download page is here: https://www.zotero.org/download/ It will detect your working environment. If you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, you will be offered the appropriate software. Zotero works with Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Once installed, you should also see a Zotero menu in your word processor. You may also use the Zotero menu in Google Docs. - To collect your first reference, you can follow the simple advice in the Library Guide here: https://sciencespo.libguides.com/zotero/en/collecting-items If you have any problems, don't worry, just come to class! We will be on hand to be of assistance with any problems you may have. The course will take place on 30 September from 14:45 to 16:15
Teachers:

• Sophie FORCADELL (Sciences Po)

Entry requirements: This course assumes that you have already installed Zotero on your computer and are familiar with the interface (see course description)

The main objective of this training is to understand the basics of the Zotero bibliographic reference management tool and to be introduced to its main features. At the end of this training, participants will be able to start managing their own reference library in Zotero, use the advanced PDF features, and create a bibliography. Goals, features, and benefits of Zotero Collect bibliographic references Build a database, manage and annotate references Annotate PDFs, create notes, use citations Understand citation styles Citing while writing, using the word processor plug-in Creating and editing a bibliography Backing up and synchronising citations and data Working in a collaborative mode. This course assumes that you have already installed Zotero on your computer and are familiar with the interface. It is also recommended that you have tried importing at least one reference. Here are some tips for completing these simple tasks: - The installation is done in 2 steps. First install the software, then the connector. - The download page is here: https://www.zotero.org/download/ It will detect your working environment. If you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, you will be offered the appropriate software. Zotero works with Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Once installed, you should also see a Zotero menu in your word processor. You may also use the Zotero menu in Google Docs. - To collect your first reference, you can follow the simple advice in the Library Guide here: https://sciencespo.libguides.com/zotero/en/collecting-items If you have any problems, don't worry, just come to class! We will be on hand to be of assistance with any problems you may have. The course will take place on 17 October from 10:15 to 11:45
Teachers:

• Sophie FORCADELL (Sciences Po)

Entry requirements: This course assumes that you have already installed Zotero on your computer and are familiar with the interface (see course description)

The main objective of this training is to understand the basics of the Zotero bibliographic reference management tool and to be introduced to its main features. At the end of this training, participants will be able to start managing their own reference library in Zotero, use the advanced PDF features, and create a bibliography. Goals, features, and benefits of Zotero Collect bibliographic references Build a database, manage and annotate references Annotate PDFs, create notes, use citations Understand citation styles Citing while writing, using the word processor plug-in Creating and editing a bibliography Backing up and synchronising citations and data Working in a collaborative mode Prerequisite for this course This course assumes that you have already installed Zotero on your computer and are familiar with the interface. It is also recommended that you have tried importing at least one reference. Here are some tips for completing these simple tasks: - The installation is done in 2 steps. First install the software, then the connector. - The download page is here: https://www.zotero.org/download/ It will detect your working environment. If you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, you will be offered the appropriate software. Zotero works with Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Once installed, you should also see a Zotero menu in your word processor. You may also use the Zotero menu in Google Docs. - To collect your first reference, you can follow the simple advice in the Library Guide here: https://sciencespo.libguides.com/zotero/en/collecting-items If you have any problems, don't worry, just come to class! We will be on hand to be of assistance with any problems you may have. This course will take place on 3 November from 14:45 to 16:15
Teachers:

• Sophie FORCADELL (Sciences Po)

Entry requirements: This course assumes that you have already installed Zotero on your computer and are familiar with the interface (see course description)

The main objective of this training is to understand the basics of the Zotero bibliographic reference management tool and to be introduced to its main features. At the end of this training, participants will be able to start managing their own reference library in Zotero, use the advanced PDF features, and create a bibliography. Goals, features, and benefits of Zotero Collect bibliographic references Build a database, manage and annotate references Annotate PDFs, create notes, use citations Understand citation styles Citing while writing, using the word processor plug-in Creating and editing a bibliography Backing up and synchronising citations and data Working in a collaborative mode Prerequisite for this course This course assumes that you have already installed Zotero on your computer and are familiar with the interface. It is also recommended that you have tried importing at least one reference. Here are some tips for completing these simple tasks: - The installation is done in 2 steps. First install the software, then the connector. - The download page is here: https://www.zotero.org/download/ It will detect your working environment. If you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, you will be offered the appropriate software. Zotero works with Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Once installed, you should also see a Zotero menu in your word processor. You may also use the Zotero menu in Google Docs. - To collect your first reference, you can follow the simple advice in the Library Guide here: https://sciencespo.libguides.com/zotero/en/collecting-items If you have any problems, don't worry, just come to class! We will be on hand to be of assistance with any problems you may have. This course will take place on 27 November, from 10:15 to 11:45
Teachers:

• Sophie FORCADELL (Sciences Po)

Entry requirements: This course assumes that you have already installed Zotero on your computer and are familiar with the interface (see course description)

NOTE: Participants must previously take Foundations or contact elkanacenter@ceu.edu for exemption! In spring term: Mondays and Thursdays 10.50-12.30 CET. Second in a two-part sequence providing a systematic approach to teaching fundamentals, focusing on course design and assessments. Participants must previously take Foundations or contact elkanacenter@ceu.edu for exemption. “Learning by Design” is a semester-long, intermediate-level course focused on how students learn and how instructors can facilitate student learning. Building on Foundations of Teaching in Higher Education (which is a prerequisite), it shifts the focus even more firmly from the teacher to the student. In their roles as designer, facilitator (and assessor) of learning, course participants explore how they can guide students in their learning and how to make that learning longer lasting and more significant. During our sessions we will unpack assumptions that surround student learning, delve into theories of how students learn, and explore corresponding principles and approaches to teaching that seek to align learning, teaching, and asessment. We will discuss how to better understand your students, recognize several implications of student diversity for student learning, and explore how to support different types of learners and different types of learning. We will explore, at some length, how to assess student learning, including assessment design, grading, and feedback. Throughout all of this, we will constantly reflect on our own growth as scholars in the process of becoming facilitators of learning.
Teachers:

• Tamara Kamatovic (Central European University)

Entry requirements: Participants must previously take Foundations or contact elkanacenter@ceu.edu for exemption!

The course is a semester-long, foundational course for doctoral students preparing for their role as teaching assistants and future scholar-teachers (in Spring term on Tuesdays between 13.30-15.10 CET). This course also forms the basis of the comprehensive certificate program for teaching in higher education offered by the Yehuda Elkana Center for Teaching, Learning, and Higher Education Research (The Elkana Center). The course fosters an understanding of the university teacher as a professional scholar ready to engage in teaching informed by research, models of good practice, a spirit of inquiry, and critical intellectual engagement. Our approach to teaching in higher education combines knowledge of theoretical foundations, a strong practice orientation, and an appreciation for collaborative, inquiry-driven, and technology-enhanced learning environments. This course will allow for the development of your own teaching approaches and values through a combination of reading, reflective writing, and practical tasks. You will gain a research-driven foundation for your work as twenty-first century scholar-teachers through the study of key issues and experimentation in a variety of approaches. First in a two-part sequence providing a systematic approach to teaching fundamentals, focusing on the design and delivery of lessons/sessions.
Teachers:

• Mátyás Szabó (Central European University)

In Spring term on Wednesdays between 10:50-12:30, 1 US credit (2 ECTS). Guided creation of a teaching portfolio, primarily using materials from previous CEU teaching courses. (only for students who have completed all YELC credits, including 2 credits of electives: Democratic teaching and learning, Foundations and Learning by Design are generally prerequisites).
Teachers:

• Tamara Kamatovic (Central European University)

Entry requirements: only for students who have completed all YELC credits, including 2 credits of electives: Democratic teaching and learning, Foundations and Learning by Design are generally prerequisites).

We all know that we learn in different ways. But what are the consequences of this for our teaching? Do we really take this into consideration when planning our courses? Maybe we plan our courses according to our own preferences for learning? During this session, we will first look at different preferences for learning, including your own preferences. We will then apply this on your teaching, and you will have the opportunity to review this, and see how you perhaps could change it? Finally, you will learn about ideas that other participants have about how they could change their teaching. After this session you are expected to be able to: - Recognize the diversity of ways of learning. - Analyze your own teaching in relation to different
Teachers:

• Pär Mårtensson (Stockholm School of Economics)