Wie Auslandaufenthalte nachwirken

Study visits abroad are formative experiences. They promote linguistic and intercultural competence as well as positive attitudes towards multilingualism. So far, however, there have been few studies on the long-term effects of such stays.

The project of linguist Dr. Zeynep Köylü analyzes how linguistic, intercultural and attitudinal progress during a stay abroad is maintained over time, developed further and transferred to future teaching practices.

A particular focus is on prospective teachers: The project investigates how their study periods abroad contribute to linguistic diversity, an awareness of multilingualism and didactics geared towards it taking place in Swiss classrooms.

Zeynep Köylü is a senior assistant in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Basel. Her research interests include second language acquisition and language development in different contexts, especially in the context of studying abroad. She also focuses on advanced language assessment, English as a lingua franca and intercultural skills.

Who were “the Phoenicians”?

“The Phoenicians” are omnipresent in the ancient Mediterranean cultural landscapes. They are often portrayed as skilled seafarers and traders as well as the inventors and disseminators of the alphabet. However, this image is largely shaped by ancient and modern external perspectives. Because very few written sources produced by people using the Phoenician language exist, most representations rely on Greek and Roman texts that construct them as “the Others.” In the 20th century, the image of the Phoenicians underwent ideological and political reinterpretation: they were invoked to create a sense of national identity, legitimacy, and unity in emerging nations of the Near East.

In her project, archaeologist Dr. Pauline Maillard challenges this externally defined image and the modern interpretation that does not correspond to historical reality. She examines the material culture of communities resulting from complex migration patterns —particularly in the city of Kition (today: Larnaka)—and explores the interactions between Cypriot and Levantine populations. Her goal is to develop a new approach to characterize identity formation through archaeological, linguistic, and social evidence, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of this multifaceted culture.

Pauline Maillard currently conducts research at the University of Fribourg. Her work focuses on the material culture of the Mediterranean world, with a specialization in the archaeology of ancient Cyprus. Her main research interests include the study of clay craftmanship, and more broadly the history of ancient material culture and the anthropological aspects of image creation within entangled population groups.

Demokratie unter Druck

in 1918, the First Czechoslovak Republic came into being after the First World War and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Although the founding of the state was democratic, there were many enemies of democracy. The state had to defend itself against extremists without becoming authoritarian itself.

In his project, historian Dr. Fabian Baumann analyzes the legal and political strategies used to secure the young democracy. In particular, he is investigating treason trials.

The research also contributes to a better understanding of the fragility of democratic systems and can thus contribute to debates on current developments: Western democracies are coming under pressure from internal authoritarian movements and the influence of autocratic states.

Fabian Baumann is a historian of Eastern Europe. His research focuses on the history of nationalism and empires in Russia, Ukraine and East Central Europe. Baumann completed his doctorate at the University of Basel and is currently conducting research at the University of Heidelberg.