Trinity-in-Vienna Global Learning Site

Faculty Sponsors: Associate Professor Erik Vogt (Philosophy);

Professor Drew Hyland (Philosophy);

Associate Professor Johannes Evelein (Modern Languages and Literature);

Professor Paul Lauter (English);

On-Site Director Gerhard Unterthurner;

Office of International Programs Advisor: Lisa G. Sapolis, Acting Director

Trinity’s Global Learning Site in Vienna offers students the opportunity to study in English at the University of Vienna, one of Europe’s best institutions of higher learning. While the program is designed with Philosophy majors in mind, it is appropriate for students with an interest in Central Europe and has strong curricular options in Philosophy, International Studies, Political Science, History, American Studies, English, Women & Gender Studies, Human Rights, Economics, and other areas.

The Vienna Global Site begins with a month-long intensive German language course at the appropriate level, which students on the program complete prior to the start of the term at the University of Vienna. This helps students with no or little previous study of German develop a solid foundation in the language. For students who have already taken German, the course helps students improve their language skills, which may allow them to take regular courses in German (as well as English) at the University of Vienna, depending upon their level at the conclusion of the course.

Students also take the program’s core course, Thought and Culture of Vienna. This semester-long course is taught in English by Trinity-in-Vienna’s On –Site Coordinator, Gerhard Unterthurner, to all students on the program. For their remaining courses, students enroll in regular classes at the University of Vienna in English (or German, if they have the appropriate level of language) at the start of the term in March. All Philosophy majors take a Philosophy core course as one of their university classes. This course, Issues in Contemporary Central European Philosophy, is taught by Trinity professor and program faculty sponsor, Erik Vogt.

Students live in residence halls with Austrian and international students. The residences are modern and comfortable and have computer access and kitchen facilities. Students have their own bedrooms and share bathrooms and common areas. The residences are convenient to public transportation, grocery stores, cafes, and shops.

Trinity-in-Vienna is offered in the Spring Term only. Grades for all courses taken by Trinity students at the Vienna Global Site calculate into their GPAs in the same manner that they do in Hartford.

Classes in Vienna:

Language Courses

Courses in German language are offered through the Vienna University International Courses program, which is affiliated with University of Vienna. Students can study German at all levels, from beginner to advanced. Each German language course offers 1.0 credit hours. In addition to the intensive German language courses that students take during their first month in Vienna, students have the option of continuing German language study throughout the semester.

Trinity College Courses

Program Core Course (taken by all students on the program):

Thought and Culture of Vienna – 1.0 credit hours.

This survey seminar will introduce students, via the close reading of relevant texts and visits to the museums and cultural institutions of Vienna, to the breadth and complexity of Austrian culture, thought, and politics. The seminar will be structured into the following sections that engage the city of Vienna, the Hapsburg legacy, and Austria, in general: philosophy; psychoanalysis; cultural and art history; literature, and politics (with emphases on contemporary political questions such as Human Rights, immigration, multiculturalism, and racism). The course will be conducted in English – Gerhard Unterthurner

Philosophy Core Course (taken by Philosophy majors and other interested students):

Issues in Contemporary Central European Philosophy – 1.0 credit hours.

This course will address and examine issues relevant to contemporary Central European philosophy. Emphasis will be put on an interdisciplinary orientation in such a way that philosophical texts will be treated alongside texts  from literature and literary theory, psychoanalysis, and political theory. The course will be conducted in English. – Erik Vogt

University of Vienna courses:

Students have a variety of regular courses to choose from at the University of Vienna in English. Typically, the university offers 35+ classes in English each semester. Past course options have included:

Continental Feminist Philosophy in the US

Cultural Philosophy

Europe as Cultural Space

Renaissance Philosophy
Global Political Economy

Political Philosophy of International Relations

Philosophy from a Gendered Perspective

Large Group Psychology

Human Rights and Racism

Indigenous People and Human Rights

Women Writers in Modern American Literature

Gender Studies: Through the Looking Glass

Shakespeare and his Comedies

Modern British One-Act Plays

Race & Gender in 20th Century Short Stories and Plays

Students proficient in German can choose additional courses from the full curriculum of the University of Vienna. Other courses are offered in French and Italian. All university courses offer 1.0 credit hours.

Internships in local museums or cultural institutions, such as the Freud Museum and the Jewish Museum, are also possible.

In addition, students may enroll in a wide variety of courses for personal enrichment at the Sports Institute of the University of Vienna. Classes include dance, karate, yoga, and other options. Students may also audit additional classes at the university, join local clubs and organizations, and attend lectures in English at the Institute of Human Sciences on topics related to philosophy, psychology, and politics.

Students have the support of an On-Site Coordinator, who assist students on the program throughout the semester and also organizes excursion and cultural activities in and around Vienna and trips to Graz and Salzburg.

Trinity students are also eligible to participate in the cultural events, excursions, and activities organized for ERASMUS students (international students from Europe studying at the University of Vienna.). The ERASMUS “language buddy” program offers Trinity students the opportunity to be matched with an Austrian students for language and cultural exchange.